Avera Rural Hospitals Earn Spots on 2026 Top 100 Lists
Several Avera hospitals were named to 2026 Top 100 lists for Critical Access Hospitals and Rural & Community Hospitals by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Top 100 awards program celebrates outstanding performance annually among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.
Free Colorectal Cancer Screenings Available March 1–31 Through Good Samaritan and Area Health Centers
Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in Nebraska. Alarmingly on the rise among younger adults, it now ranks as the leading cause of cancer death for men and women under the age of 50 across the U.S.
Heart Screenings Provide Insight Into Your Cardiovascular Risk
During American Heart Month, consider scheduling a cardiovascular screening if you fall within the recommended age range. A painless and non-invasive screening can help adults understand their heart disease risk, and in rare cases, alert you to a serious condition that requires urgent intervention.
Health Sciences Career Day to Be Hosted by Iowa Hospital Association
The Iowa Hospital Association (IHA), in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Education and hospitals across the state, announced today the organizations will host the second annual Health Sciences Career Day on Thursday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon.
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.
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…
Urologist Dr. Steven Gange Joins Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic
“Urology at Essentia is a state-of-the-art and collegial team practice,” explained Dr. Gange of his decision to join the Essentia Health team. “I look forward to moving into this environment, learning and teaching as I go.”
First Kearney Medical Class at University of Nebraska Medical Center to Receive Scholarships
The University of Nebraska Medical Center will offer scholarships to the first class of medical students to study and train in Kearney, a key initiative aimed at strengthening access to health care in rural Nebraska.
Black Hills Surgical Hospital Achieves Milestone With First Symplicity™ Renal Denervation Case
Black Hills Surgical Hospital has successfully completed its first case using the Symplicity™ renal denervation system, marking an important milestone in expanding advanced treatment options for patients with uncontrolled hypertension in South Dakota.
A Century Strong: Highlights From the SDAHO Vault
As our A Century Strong: From the SDAHO Vault series continues, we turn the page to the Association’s second year — a period marked by rapid change, unexpected challenges, and the first true test of South Dakota’s hospitals.
Jacie Emineth Joins Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Bismarck Gateway Clinic as Pediatric Practitioner
The Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Bismarck Gateway Clinic is excited to welcome Jacie Emineth, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner who will practice pediatrics.
Sanford Health Marks Virtual Care Milestone, Supporting Access and Future Workforce Growth
Sanford Health has reached a virtual care milestone, expanding access and improving affordability for rural patients, while equipping the health care workforce for a technology-driven future. Accelerated by a transformative $350 million virtual care investment in 2021, the program has saved patients hundreds of millions of dollars in travel costs, reduced more than 60.5 million miles of travel to date and expanded virtual graduate medical education rotations across specialties – advancing a scalable model for rural care delivery.
Kalon Medical Spa Announces New Location and Brand Refresh
Kalon Medical Spa announces its relocation to a new facility at 7000 S Lyncrest Pl in southern Sioux Falls. The new building is located just a few miles southeast of its previous location and is designed to support the business’ continued growth and expanded services.
Measles Case Confirmed in Walsh County; Three More Reported in Pembina County
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting one confirmed measles case in Walsh County. This is the first case reported in Walsh County. The individual reported recent travel to Pembina County.
Sanford Health Leaders to Discuss Future of Care at National Health Care Conference
Sanford Health leaders are joining top industry experts next week at one of the most prestigious health care events of the year to discuss how the business of health care is meeting the future of technology.
Avera to Advance Cancer Technology With Support From Federal Funds
Avera has received federal appropriation through the Labor Health and Human Services (LHHS) 2026 bill to enhance cancer care technology.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Named Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital by Chartis Center
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS), a division of Sanford Health, announced it has been recognized as a 2026 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Top 100 awards program celebrates outstanding performance annually among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX?. PLHS has received this award 11 consecutive years.
Nebraska Medicine Expands Network With Addition of Clarkson Heart Center
For the last 17 years, Haysam Akkad, MD, and the team at Clarkson Heart Center have provided personalized and compassionate care to patients in our community who need the clinical expertise of interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease and internal medicine. We are proud to announce that Clarkson Heart Center became part of the Nebraska Medicine health network on Dec. 15.
Advanced Skull Base Surgery Offers Solutions for Complex Neurological Conditions
Skull base surgery is one of the most technically demanding subspecialties in neurosurgery, requiring precision and expertise to address pathologies in an anatomically complex region where critical neural and vascular structures converge.