Patients in Siouxland have access to advanced robotic-assisted lung biopsy technology right here in Sioux City through the Ion endoluminal system at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's.

As cyclosporiasis cases continue to rise nationwide, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is reminding residents of the importance of routine food safety practices.

July 16, 2026 marks the fourth anniversary of 988, the three-digit suicide prevention and mental health crisis national lifeline.

CHI Health Clinic Heart Institute (Kearney) welcomes back Brooke Huxoll, PA-C to its medical staff. She brings more than 17 years of experience as a Physician Assistant specializing in cardiology and helping patients manage their heart health. 

Tierra Ohmann, RN, was recently hired as nursing director at The Neighborhoods at Brookview skilled nursing facility. 

The Columbus Community Hospital Foundation has released its 2025-26 annual report, which highlights how it supports the hospital.

Columbus Community Hospital (CCH) has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Silver award for its efforts to improve stroke care and reduce gaps in rural health outcomes.

Nebraska Cancer Specialists (NCS) is now offering eligible patients access to a promising investigational treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer through a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Expanded Access Program (EAP). NCS is currently the only practice in the region providing access to this treatment through its nationally recognized clinical research program.

Des Moines University (DMU) has announced their 2026 Alumni Award Winners, recognizing leaders in medicine, healthcare and education. Leah Glasgo, Market President, UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge was named the 2026 College of Health Sciences Alumna of the Year.

Registration is now open for the 2026 Caring for the Caregiver – Caregiver Summit, scheduled for Aug. 20 and offering options to attend in person at the Health Response and Licensure Building in Bismarck, virtually or at a local watch party.

Avera and The Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics & Spine (CNOS) are excited to announce Avera’s acquisition of the CNOS practice based in Dakota Dunes, SD. This partnership includes over 100 CNOS physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and athletic trainers across nine specialties and subspecialties with over 350 staff. This is effective January 1, 2027, with CNOS being named Avera CNOS going forward. 

CNOS and Avera are excited to announce Avera’s acquisition of the CNOS practice based in Dakota Dunes, SD. This partnership includes over 100 CNOS physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and athletic trainers across 9 specialties and subspecialities with over 350 staff. This is effective January 1, 2027, with CNOS being named Avera CNOS going forward. With Avera and CNOS’s long-standing presence in the tri-state area, both organizations see opportunities to further strengthen health care delivery across the region.

Some of the most valuable educational resources aren’t always the newest, they’re the ones that continue to make an impact.

Great Plains Health today announced a planned leadership transition in its Emergency Department, effective September 1, 2026, as Dr. James Smith steps down from his role as co-Medical Director.

As families settle into summer routines, Essentia Health is encouraging parents to take advantage of the season’s added flexibility by scheduling well-child/teen visits before school, sports and activities pick back up.

CHI Health Good Samaritan and CHI Health St. Francis have been awarded the highest accolade recognized for stroke care by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association. The region’s designated Primary Stroke Centers both received the prestigious Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus award, along with the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. These achievements highlight the hospitals’ ongoing dedication to providing swift, high-quality stroke care that reduces stroke damage, speeds recovery and improves overall outcomes.

Regional Medical Center (RMC) is proud to announce a new community health initiative at the Delaware County Fair. In a special partnership with A1 Storage, RMC is debuting “The Nook” – a private, dedicated comfort station for parents and their little ones designed to support families.

Columbus Cardiology Clinic is pleased to offer specialized care for individuals experiencing leg pain, swelling or other symptoms related to vascular disease. Led by cardiologist Dr. Sabu George, the clinic offers comprehensive evaluations and treatment options for a variety of vascular conditions.

Several Avera facilities have been recognized for their participation in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke post-acute care initiative to enhance guideline-based care for stroke patients, ultimately improving and prolonging lives.

People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer  than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face  a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality, according to an American Heart Association’s  presidential advisory on rural health. Altru Hospital Devils Lake is committed to changing that. 

Altru Hospital in Grand Forks has received the American Heart Association’s GetWith The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring  people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized,  research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability. 

The Sanford Health Hankinson Clinicis set to open on Wednesday, July 15. The clinic is located at 112 5th St. SW.

The children who receive care at MercyOne Genesis Bettendorf Pediatric Therapy (GOPEDS) will once again run their version of the Arconic Jr. Bix in the clinic’s parking lot on Thursday, July 16, at 5 p.m.

MercyOne Clinton Medical Center is proud to announce that Air Med services are now available in Clinton. To celebrate this significant expansion of emergency medical transportation services, MercyOne will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 15, at 10 a.m.

CHI Health St. Francis, in collaboration with CHI Health Clinic Heart Institute, is providing a free community education event focused on cardiovascular wellness. “Update on Hypertension Management” will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 in Conference Room 2/3 at the hospital.

The Essentia Health-South University Clinic is proud to welcome James Cronin, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner in sleep medicine.

Mary Lanning Healthcare recently received awards from the American Heart Association. These included recognition for outstanding stroke care — the 2026 Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Award and the 2026 Rural Stroke Gold Award — and Honor Roll status for stroke  patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes. 

Community Hospital is inviting area residents to wear pink and show their support for cancer awareness during the Pink Out Rodeo at the Red Willow County Fair on Saturday, July 25, beginning at 6 p.m. Community Hospital’s Cancer Awareness Committee has identified the Pink Out Rodeo as one of its community outreach events for 2026.

The South Dakota Health Care Workforce Resource Center continues to serve as a valuable resource for healthcare organizations seeking practical solutions to today’s workforce challenges.

The countdown is on! Registration is now open for the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations’ 100th Annual Convention, taking place September 16–18, 2026, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.