SDAHO Clinical Improvement Consultant to Present at Yankton Area Mental Wellness Conference
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is pleased to announce that Clinical Improvement Consultant Loretta Bryan, BSN, RN, CPHQ, will be presenting at the upcoming annual Yankton Area Mental Wellness Conference taking place June 3–4, 2026. This year’s conference is titled, “Honoring Growth: Advancing Mental Health for All” and will be held at the Yankton High School.
HHS Recognizes Foster Care Awareness Month and Highlights Community Support for Children and Families
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is recognizing May as Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to highlight the resilience of children involved in the state’s foster care system and the dedication of those who support them. Read the Foster Care Awareness Month proclamation.
Essentia Health-Fargo Celebrates New Workforce Development Initiative
Today, Essentia Health-Fargocelebrated the start of a new workforce development initiative designed to provide individuals with disabilities meaningful work experience while developing essential, transferable job skills. The program, known as Project SEARCH, supports students transitioning from school to competitive employment through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on internships and mentoring.
UnityPoint Clinic Welcomes Board-Certified General Surgeon
UnityPoint Clinic General Surgery – Sioux City is excited to welcome board-certified general surgeon Mai Al Khadem, MD to its team of providers. She combines surgical precision with compassionate communication, ensuring patients feel informed, supported and confident throughout every step of their surgical journey.
Fortune Names Sanford Health One of America’s Most Innovative Companies for Fourth Consecutive Year
For the fourth consecutive year, Fortune has named Sanford Health to its list of “America’s Most Innovative Companies.” The 2026 list recognizes 300 U.S.-based companies for leadership in fostering creativity, advancing technology and driving transformational change.
Outstanding NRC Patient Experience Scores Rank Sanford Bismarck Therapy Team Among Nation’s Best
The therapy team at Sanford Health in Bismarck has received exceptional 2025 year‑end patient experience results from the National Research Corporation (NRC), demonstrating national‑leading performance and an unwavering commitment to compassionate, patient‑centered care.
MercyOne Aims to Help Reduce Stroke Deaths in Eastern Iowa
A stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the United States, with high blood pressure being the primary risk factor. MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center aims to reduce stroke incidence by raising awareness.
Preventing Ticks and Tickborne Diseases This Spring and Summer
Spring showers and warmer temperatures may bring flowers, but they also bring out ticks. North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) encourages individuals to be aware of ticks, the diseases they carry, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, alpha-gal syndrome and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and to take precautions.
Lakes Regional Healthcare Honors Nurses for Exceptional Patient Care
During Nurses Week, May 6-16, 2026, Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) proudly celebrates the dedication and compassion of over 130 nurses who care for patients throughout our hospital and community. These professionals provide outstanding care across multiple departments, including Emergency, Inpatient, Critical Care, Obstetrics, Surgery, Oncology, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Home Care and Hospice, Occupational Health, and Public Health, ensuring patients receive the highest quality of care at every stage of their healthcare journey.
Avera Cancer Institute to Be Located Within Ness Family Center in Honor of Lead Gift
The new Avera Cancer Institute location in Yankton will be housed within the Ness Family Center to honor the generosity of Larry and Diane Ness. The success of the Avera Foundation’s $7 million “Building Hope Here” campaign to support constructing the cancer treatment center would not have been possible without the significant lead gift from Larry and Diane, as well as the $500,000 dollar-for-dollar match for community donations they helped provide through First Dakota National Bank.
USD Sanford School of Medicine and Mayo Pediatric Residents Participate in Trauma-Informed Care Training
Pediatric residents from the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education gathered this spring for a collaborative, simulation-based training focused on trauma-informed care and communication in pediatric clinical settings.
HHS Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month and Encourages Small Steps to Support Well-Being
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is highlighting the importance of mental health, while encouraging individuals to take small, manageable steps to support their overall well-being.
Hidden HVAC Issue Was Costing Hospital Thousands Each Month
The hospital’s finance department couldn’t explain it.
Despite installing energy-efficient lighting and upgrading several building systems, the facility’s HVAC energy consumption had steadily increased over the past two years.
Becca Jordre Receives National Physical Therapy Award
A professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of South Dakota has been honored with an American Physical Therapy Association award.
BHECN Releases 2026 Behavioral Health Workforce Capacity Report
The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN), housed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has released its 2026 Behavioral Health Workforce Capacity Report, highlighting measurable growth in Nebraska’s behavioral health workforce and its impact on access to care.
Sanford Health Recognized Again for Highest Level of Commitment to Workplace Mental Health
Mental Health America (MHA) has awarded Sanford Health the 2026 Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health. This is the fourth year in a row Sanford Health has received recognition from Mental Health America and back-to-back years achieving platinum status.
Registration Opens for the 29th Annual Hospital Hill Run
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is inviting local families to the 29th Annual Hospital Hill Run on Saturday, June 13th, 2026. The Hospital Hill Run was created nearly three decades ago by a handful of local healthcare providers to promote the importance of exercise in a fun and family-friendly way.
Munroe-Meyer Guild’s Annual Garden Walk Scheduled for June 14
The public is invited to tour five gardens spread across southwest and west Omaha during the Munroe-Meyer Guild’s 57th annual Garden Walk later this spring.
Spencer Hospital Nurses Recognized as 2026 Great Iowa Nurses
Spencer Hospital is proud to announce that two of its exceptional nurses, Cassie Oleson, RN, of Abben Cancer Center, and Abigail Madden, RN, of the Intensive Care Unit, have been recognized as 2026 Great Iowa Nurses, a statewide honor celebrating nurses who go above and beyond to provide safe, compassionate care and serve as leaders and mentors in their profession. For Spencer Hospital, the recognition of Oleson and Madden reflects the excellence found throughout its nursing team.
Single Measles Case Reported in Dunn County
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting one confirmed case of measles in Dunn County. This is the first measles case reported in Dunn County. The individual acquired measles out of state.