The Way Forward
The new Behavioral Health and Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska is Omaha offers a "no wrong door" policy for self-referral and a seamless continuum of mental health services for children and teens, positioned right alongside primary care — a deliberate signal that mental health and physical health are inseparable.
Meet a Make-A-Wish Champion of Hope
Brock Doubledee, DO, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Sanford Children's is this month’s Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana ‘Champion of Hope’": “For the most part, I refer every patient who is eligible. I feel like, if you're eligible, you deserve to receive a wish.”
USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Ashley Rucker, DNP
Ashley Rucker was just 16 when she became a nurse assistant, her first step into a field that would define her professional life. After working on a medical/surgical ward, a cardiac ICU, and in home hospice (and earning as MSN), Rucker was ready to further her education
South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA) Member Spotlight
SDSMA has been a meaningful part of my journey as a resident, offering a platform to connect with peers and mentors. It has actively supported my professional and academic growth through opportunities in publishing, collaboration and advocacy. As I transition to fellowship, I see myself continuing this journey through the help of SDSMA to further contribute to the medical community and patients of South Dakota.
Keeping Healthcare Local: The Crucial Role of Architecture
Access to quality healthcare is a key factor in what makes communities vibrant, livable, and well-positioned for growth.
The Heart of Long-Term Care
Ashley Eastman, RN, a long-term care nurse at Good Samaritan Society - Pine River, shows what it means to have the heart of a caregiver. Her love of service started at a young age, and from there it has blossomed into a career focused on compassion.
USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Jill Baker, MSW, CSW
Jill Baker was born on an Air Force base and joined the Army straight out of high school. When she got out three and a half years later, civilian life felt like a foreign country..
South Dakota State Medical Association Member Spotlight
Megan Smith, MD, a Family Medicine Physician in Burke, SD, is this month’s SDSMA Member Spotlight: “I see daily what access to quality healthcare means to my community, and I will never turn away from advocating for fairer systems.”
Meet a Make-A-Wish Champion of Hope
Sami Awadallah, MD, Pediatric Cardiologist, with Avera Medical Group Pediatric Specialists is this month’s Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana ‘Champion of Hope’": “Children with congenital heart disease are not only suffering with physical limitations. Their view of life and the world can change…”
The Lodge at Deadwood
The Lodge is more than a resort; it is your launchpad to the Black Hills. From this hilltop you can reach iconic attractions, scenic drives, and outdoor adventures in every direction. Spend the day exploring winding mountain roads, rugged trails, and the Old West stories of downtown Deadwood, then escape back up the hill to…
The Highpoint Hotel
From the moment guests arrive, there is a noticeable shift. The pace slows. The air feels lighter. The design — modern yet warm, refined yet approachable — invites you to exhale. The Highpoint Hotel was created with…
From Bedside to ‘Webside’
Endocrinologist David Newman, describes himself as a "die-hard Midwestern Dakotan". Newman grew up in Fargo and became an endocrinologist to take care of people in his home area. What he didn’t anticipate was how far many of those people would have to travel just to sit in his exam room….
South Dakota State Medical Association Member Spotlight
Why join the South Dakota State Medical Association? Infectious Disease Specialist Peter Paul Lim, MD, shares his perspective in this first SDSMA Member Spotlight.
Meet a Make-A-Wish Champion of Hope
Rapid City pediatric hospitalist Tamra Lemley, MD, is new to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana but she is excited to learn just how many children are eligible for wishes. She’s this month’s Champion of Hope.
Built to Last: SDAHO Marks 100 Years as South Dakota Healthcare's 'Unified Voice'
Every day when Tim Rave walks into work at the office of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, he's making history. Rave, who has been at the helm of SDAHO for the past eight years, is only the 6th President and CEO of an organization that has been a fixture of South Dakota medicine for 100 years…
Northern Cheyenne internal medicine specialist finds purpose and support at Sanford Health
Ciciley Littlewolf, MD, doesn’t know where she first got the idea to be a doctor. Growing up on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana, she didn’t know a lot of medical professionals…
USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Eva Kluender, MPH
Eva Kluender, MPH, was working as a dental assistant when she took her first public health course as part of her undergraduate degree program in Health Sciences at USD. "My original plan was to become a dental hygienist," she says. She reasoned that a Health Sciences degree…
Meet a Make-A-Wish Champion of Hope
Pediatric Oncologist Ashlee Blumhoff, APRN-CNP, CPHON, with Sanford Children’s was the top referrer for Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana and is this month’s Champion of Hope.
USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Jason Steere, PT, DPT
Jason Steere describes his career path as an "adventurous wander". As a kid in Sioux Falls, he hadn't intended to go to college. But after a stint in the military, Steere changed his mind and enrolled at USD….
Building From the Ground Up
Monument Health added 40 new physicians in the last half of 2025, shoring up access to care and bringing new specialties to the region. We'll meet the gynecologic oncologist, cardiothoracic/vascular surgeon, and colorectal surgeon who are building these new programs from the ground up.