American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes the Monument Health Heart and Vascular Unit With Silver Beacon Award for Excellence
For the second year in a row, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently awarded a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence to the Monument Health Heart and Vascular Unit (HVU) at Rapid City Hospital. This is a significant achievement as more than 575 units from around the country applied for the award in 2025.
Unity Medical Center – Park River and Grafton Family Clinics Earn Level 2 Age-Friendly Health System Recognition
As an active participant in the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, Unity Medical Center is proud to have achieved special recognition as an Age-Friendly Health Systems — Committed to Care Excellence by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
American Heart Month: West Fargo Man Grateful for Lifesaving Care and Second Chance at Essentia Health
A bicuspid — or two-part — aortic valve (BAV) affects about 1 to 2% of the population. This congenital heart condition often goes unnoticed until later in life, as was the case with Dan Gerriets, who wasn’t diagnosed until his 30s.
Free Education Session Explores Whether Type 2 Diabetes Is Reversible
CHI Health St. Francis, in collaboration with CHI Health Clinic Heart Institute, is hosting a heart-education session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 in Conference Room 2/3 at the hospital. “Fact or Fiction? Type 2 Diabetes is Reversible” explores the root cause of most chronic diseases and the impact metabolic health has on a person’s overall well-being.
Altru Offers Nurse Advice Line for Measles-Related Concerns
As measles cases have become present in North Dakota, Altru encourages individuals experiencing symptoms consistent with measles, or those who may have been exposed to someone with measles, to call the Altru Nurse Advice Line at 701.780.6358 before seeking in-person care.
Lakes Regional Healthcare Accepting Applications for 8-Week Summer Junior Volunteer Program
Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) is planning another Junior Volunteer Program for this summer. Each year nearly 30 high school and college students assist physicians, nurses and other professional staff, and patients in the Emergency and Surgery Departments. Soon they will welcome back many of these and several more students as they receive applications and complete interviews.
Jamestown Regional Medical Center CEO Mike Delfs Recognized for National and State Leadership
Mike Delfs, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC), was recently recognized for his leadership at both the national and state levels, highlighting his continued impact on rural healthcare.
Dr. Vance Thompson Among First U.S. Surgeons to Implant BVI FineVision® Lens
On Monday, February 2nd, Dr. Vance Thompson successfully performed one of the first BVI FineVision® HP Trifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) implantations in the United States. This milestone marks a significant milestone in the advancement of vision correction for U.S. patients.
Sanford Bismarck to Host Doc Talk on Proven Heart Health Strategies
An expert from the Sanford Bismarck region will host a Doc Talk next week on heart health.
Kammerman Named One of Becker’s Hospital and Health System CIOs to Know
Avera's Chief Information Officer (CIO), Bruk Kammerman has been named to Becker's list of hospital and health system CIOs to know.
Measles Case Confirmed in Pembina County; North Dakota Total Reaches Two in 2026
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting one confirmed case of measles in Pembina County. This is the second measles case reported in North Dakota in 2026 and the first from Pembina County.
Sanford Health Joins Industry Leaders to Highlight Innovation Improving Access to Care
Sanford Health joins global industry leaders in Minnesota this week for meaningful discussions on how innovation is reshaping access to health care in underserved communities.
Sanford Health Leaders Share Optimism for the Future of Rural Health Care at National Conference
Sanford Health leaders joined more than 1,000 rural health leaders this week in Texas to commit to advancing rural health and providing quality care for patients and communities.
Sanford Fargo Offers Doc Talk Focused on Heart-Healthy Nutrition
Sanford Health Fargo is hosting a Doc Talk discussion to educate the public about heart-healthy diets
Lives Saved Through Helmsley AED Grants Celebrated by North Dakota HHS and Community Partners
Today, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS), North Dakota State Health Officer Sherry Adams, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, and local community members and partners celebrated the lives saved in the state through a grant program to equip rural law enforcement officers with modern, “connected” automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Dr. Michael Osterholm Recognized Among TIME’s 2026 Most Influential Health Leaders
TIME named Dr. Michael Osterholm, Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, to the 2026 TIME100 Health List of the World’s Most Influential Leaders in Health.
CHI Health St. Francis Tobacco-Free Program Launches Feb. 24
For those interested in becoming tobacco-free, CHI Health St. Francis is offering “Freedom from Smoking"—a 7-week tobacco cessation program created by the American Lung Association. Led by certified St. Francis instructors, the first session is scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Conference Room 1 at the hospital. This course is free and open to the community.
MercyOne Genesis Eldridge Family Medicine Expansion Welcomes Patients on Thursday
The newly completed expansion of the MercyOne Genesis Eldridge Family Medicine location at 301 N. 4th Ave., Eldridge, will officially open on Thursday, Feb 12.
Nursing Alumna Selected for 2025 Dole Caregiver Fellow Leadership Program
At just 23 years old, Kylie Briest has spent nearly her entire life as a caregiver. In 2005, her father, U.S. Army Sgt. Corey Briest, was severely injured by an IED explosion in Iraq. The blast left him with a traumatic brain injury, resulting in limited mobility, vision and speech. Kylie Briest was only three years old at the time.
Walk-In Physical Therapy Services Now Available at Sanford Southridge Clinic in Bismarck
Sanford Health in Bismarck is now offering walk-in physical therapy services at the Southridge Clinic, located at 565 S. Seventh St.