Community Generosity Inspires Record Year for Avera Foundation
The Avera Foundation experienced an extraordinary year of support in fiscal year 2026, with a record-setting $119.6 million generated to support the people, places and programs in every corner of Avera’s 72,000-square-mile footprint.
Columbus Community Hospital’s Economic Impact Reaches $386 Million
Columbus Community Hospital’s impact extends far beyond patient care. A recent analysis conducted by the Heartland Health Alliance found the hospital generated nearly $386 million in economic activity, supported approximately 1,944 jobs and contributed more than $11 million in state and local taxes across Nebraska in 2026.
USDA Announces $75 Million Investment in McCook’s Community Hospital
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Nebraska State Director Neil Moseman announced a $75 million Community Facilities Direct Loan to Community Hospital Association (CHA) in McCook. The expansion project will add more than 70,000 square feet to its campus, including a new McCook Clinic, an expanded cancer center and improvements to the central utility plant.
Sanford Health Awarded $2.3 Million NIH Grant for Kidney Research
Sanford Health researcher, Kamesh Surendran, Ph.D., and his lab at Sanford Research, were recently awarded a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding will support Dr. Surendran's lab in studying kidney development and disease by determining the molecular basis by which diverse cell types of the kidney develop and are maintained.
Building What's Next: Supporting Rural Health Care Through Facility Modernization
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is proud to recognize Journey Construction, a Premium Associate Member and trusted partner in healthcare construction.
SDAHO Recognizes 2026 Affiliate Society and Partner Award Recipients
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) celebrated leadership, service and achievement across South Dakota's health care community during the Awards Luncheon at the 100th Annual Convention.
Essentia Health Begins Construction on Downtown Moorhead Clinic
Today, Essentia Health celebrated the start of construction for the new family medicine clinic in downtown Moorhead. Located at the former Wells Fargo building at 730 Center Ave., the new clinic will provide convenient access to care for the Moorhead community. Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson and Downtown Moorhead, Inc. President Matt Leiseth joined Essentia Health leaders to celebrate the project and highlight support from the city.
Lakes Regional Healthcare to Break Ground on New Emergency Department
Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) has begun construction plans on a new Emergency Department, replacing a facility built in 1993 that no longer accommodates the growth in patient volumes. A public groundbreaking ceremony is being planned for early November.
Columbus Community Hospital Foundation Offers Keepsake Ornaments
Did you have a special reason to celebrate, milestone to cherish or memory of a loved one you'd like to honor this past year? This holiday season, you can buy a keepsake ornament from the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation. The ornament provides a meaningful way for you to capture treasured memories and have a lasting reminder of those who hold a special place in your heart.
HealthPartners and Essentia Health Announce Combination
HealthPartners and Essentia Health today announced that their boards of directors have approved an affiliation agreement to combine their organizations. Together, the two Minnesota-based nonprofit health systems will expand access to high-quality care and coverage, strengthen specialty services, leverage technology to better serve patients and support clinicians, and help make healthcare more affordable.
Heritage Bank Sioux Falls Rebrands as Physician Bank Headquarters
Heritage Bank, N.A. announced recently that its downtown Sioux Falls location will be rebranded as Physician Bank, establishing the office as the headquarters of its growing national banking brand dedicated exclusively to physicians and medical professionals.
Essentia Health Fargo Opens Second Electrophysiology Suite
Essentia Health-Fargo is proud to highlight the addition of a state-of-the-art electrophysiology (EP) procedural suite. The $2 million project — which repurposed a general operating room (OR) — allows both of Essentia's Fargo-based electrophysiologists to be in the lab doing procedures simultaneously.
Golf Tournament Donating $20,000 to MCC Hope & Healing Program
A program to provide hair, wig, makeup and prosthetic services to patients at the Morrison Cancer Center is the focus of a large donation from an annual golf tournament.
JRMC Names Shar Stockwell Foundation Director
Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC) welcomes Shar Stockwell as the new director of the JRMC Foundation. In this leadership role, Stockwell will guide JRMC's philanthropic strategy and strengthen connections among the medical center, its donors and the communities it serves.
Business Record Readers Name Wellmark Best Health Insurer for 30th Year
For the 30th consecutive year, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been recognized by Business Record readers as Best Health Insurance Company. This milestone demonstrates Wellmark's ongoing commitment to serving its more than two million members as a leading health insurance company headquartered in Iowa and South Dakota. It comes at a time when employers continue to manage increasing health care costs and employees are seeking clearer, more convenient ways to understand and use their coverage.
Avera, SDSU and USD Establish Statewide NIH Research Partnership
The National Institutes of Health awarded $11,090,204 over five years to establish the South Dakota Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research (SD-ACT), a statewide partnership among Avera Research Institute, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.
Brookings Health Completes $1.3 Million Surgical Suite Upgrade
Brookings Health System recently completed a $1.3 million upgrade to all three surgical suites at Brookings Hospital. By integrating the latest technology, Brookings Health continues to ensure patient safety while increasing staff efficiency during operating procedures.
Sanford Bismarck Names Surgery Center for Donor David Miller
Sanford Bismarck and the Sanford Health Foundation unveiled the Sanford David D. Miller Surgery Center, recognizing the extraordinary generosity and lasting impact of longtime donor David Miller.
BBGH Board Reviews Quality Metrics, Recruitment, and NHA Agreement
Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) Board of Trustees met on August 31, 2026, in the Alliance Room. During the board meeting, leadership celebrated the August Employee of the Month, Staff Nurse Stephanie Shannon. They also welcomed new BBGH team members, Nurse Assistants Nika Briggs and Jessica Garfio, Staff Nurses Angila McLaughlin, Tashina Prochazka, and Kassandra Gomez, Environmental Services Tech Josie Fletcher, Prior Authorization Specialist Hannah Collins, Dietary Cook Kadyn Farley, Patient Registration Clerk Maria Zak, and Chief Quality Officer Bridget Linger. The Board approved the consent calendar, financial report, and credentialing.
North Dakota HHS Adds $400,000 to FamilyFirst Services Grant
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is offering an additional $400,000 of FamilyFirst Services Training and Implementation Grant funding for agencies and professionals to complete training and deliver approved, evidence-based prevention services, with applications open now through March 1, 2027, or until all funds are awarded.