Essentia Health Calls on Congress to Extend Medicare Coverage for Telehealth Services
Last week, Essentia Health joined a coalition of health care organizations calling on Congress to extend Medicare coverage for telehealth services before it expires on Sept. 30. In a letter to Congressional leaders, Essentia Health urged either a permanent extension or, at minimum, a two-year extension, be established to provide stability and clarity for patients, providers and the broader health care system.
Three Sanford Researchers Secure Major Grants from the National Institutes of Health
Sanford Research has been awarded more than $8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study ovarian cancer, binge eating disorders and G protein-coupled receptor (GCPR) signaling.
Mary Lanning Healthcare Pulmonary Rehabilitation Receives Recertification
Mary Lanning Healthcare’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation program recently received recertification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
Regional West Physicians Clinic Announces Collaboration with ChartSpan
Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family and Internal Medicine clinics have partnered with ChartSpan, a preventative care service provider, to offer comprehensive care management programs to Medicare patients.
Free Community Education–Aug. 28 The Secrets to Understanding Medicare
CHI Health St. Francis, in partnership with CHI Health Clinic: Nebraska Heart Institute, is offering a free community education session, “The Secrets to Understanding Medicare,” on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 pm. The session will be held in Conference Room 2/3 at the hospital.
Dr. Scot Christiansen Leaves a Lasting Legacy
After over 31 years of service at Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Manchester, Dr. Scot Christiansen is retiring from OB & Family Practice on September 1, 2025.
Essentia Health–Wahpeton Welcomes Alicia Blaufuss to Practice Psychiatry
Alicia Blaufuss, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner, is excited to join the Essentia Health-Wahpeton Clinic to practice psychiatry.
Customs Kicking Cancer Promotes Prostate Cancer Awareness at 85th Annual Sturgis Rally
With more than 530,000 vehicles recorded at the 85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which has a predominantly male attendance, the inaugural charity event Chrome For a Cause provided a powerful platform to create open dialogue about prostate cancer.
MercyOne Genesis Silvis Medical Center Experiences Baby Boom
MercyOne Genesis Silvis Medical Center is experiencing a baby boom. The upward trend in births began shortly after Dr. May Yazeji's arrival in July 2024. Since her arrival, the hospital’s birth center has experienced a 194% increase in deliveries in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2023.
Essentia Health Collaborates with Local Organizations to Identify Community Health Needs and Promote Improvements
Essentia Health’s mission is to make a healthy difference in people’s lives, and that work extends beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics.
The Wellmark Foundation Supports University of Iowa’s SIM-IA to Advance Lifesaving Training and Strengthen Rural Health Care
The Wellmark Foundation has partnered with the University of Iowa College of Nursing’s Simulation in Motion-Iowa (SIM-IA) program to further strengthen health care delivery in rural Iowa communities.
Avera Secures Three-Year Federal Grant to Enhance Virtual Nursing Services
Avera has received $1 million in funding for the Avera RURAL-UP: Solving Rural Workforce Challenges in the Upper Midwest with Virtual Patient Care program
Good Samaritan and St. Francis Recognized with 4-Star CMS Rating; St. Francis Skilled Care Achieves Top Distinction
On Aug. 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2025 Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings. Both CHI Health Good Samaritan and CHI Health St. Francis well surpassed the national average and achieved four stars.
Emily O’Brien Appointed Deputy Commissioner of North Dakota HHS
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pleased to announce that Emily O’Brien will join the agency as deputy commissioner, effective Aug. 20.
Unity Medical Center Secures 3-Year Acute Cardiac Ready Hospital Designation
Unity Medical Center (UMC) has received the full three-year Acute Cardiac Ready Hospital designation from the North Dakota Cardiac System of Care (part of the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services). UMC is the third hospital in North Dakota to receive this designation along with CHI Mercy Hospital in Valley City and Jamestown Regional Medical Center.
Northern Cass and Essentia Health Commemorate Partnership
In partnership with Essentia Health, the Northern Cass School District #97 is excited to start the new school year with an additional resource dedicated to the health and well-being of students and staff.
Prairie Lakes Primary Care Introduces New Family Medicine Providers
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to welcome Dr. Alexandra Gauer, and Certified Nurse Practitioners Adrienne Bak and Susan Olson to the Prairie Lakes Primary Care team. Gauer will join the Family Medicine team at Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic Northridge while both Bak and Olson join a skilled group of providers at Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic Main.
Light Up the Night 5K for Mental Health Set for Sept. 5 – Register Online by Aug. 26
Registration is now open for Light Up the Night 5K Walk/Run on Friday, Sept. 5 at Yanney Park in Kearney. Coordinated by CHI Health Richard Young Behavioral Health, the 12th annual Glow Race and Family Fun Night for Mental Health event raises community awareness, encourages resiliency and supports advocacy for emotional, psychological and social well-being.
Ambulance Service Honored with Career EMS Service Award
Brookings Health System’s Ambulance service received the 2024 Career EMS Service of the Year Award for South Dakota Emergency Medical Services Association (SDEMSA) District 1. The honor was given at the district’s Aug. 6 meeting. The award celebrates Brookings Health’s Ambulance team for going above and beyond in their commitment to saving lives and improving healthcare.
Columbus Community Hospital Volunteer and Guest Services Division Releases 2024–25 Annual Report
The volunteer & guest services department at Columbus Community Hospital (CCH) has released its 2024-25 Annual Report, highlighting a year of remarkable growth, dedicated service and profound community impact. The report covers achievements from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025.