Free Community Class June 25: Understanding Dietary Fats with Dr. Fruehling
CHI Health St. Francis, in partnership with CHI Health Clinic: Nebraska Heart Institute, is offering a free community education session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25 in Conference Room 2/3 at the hospital. Dr. Erich Fruehling will present “The Fat Saga: Understanding Dietary Fats.”
Avera Queen of Peace, SDSU Partner on Respiratory Care
Avera Queen of Peace is partnering with the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Respiratory Care Program to provide respiratory therapy education and hands-on clinical training in Mitchell as part of an initiative to strengthen rural health care workforce development. This professional training year consists of respiratory-specific coursework, lectures, labs and clinical experiences.
West Nile Virus: Mosquito Bite Prevention Is Best Defense
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) reminds people that preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to avoid West Nile virus. Although no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported to HHS so far this year, there is a risk of contracting the disease anytime mosquitoes are active.
NE-INBRE Announces 2026 Biomedical Research Scholars
In late May, the Nebraska Institutional Development Award Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (NE-INBRE) program welcomed a new cohort of undergraduate students from across Nebraska as they embark on their summer research experience.
Columbus Community Hospital Honors Frankie Rivero Vila for Compassionate Care
Columbus Community Hospital is proud to recognize Frankie Rivero Vila, one of our dedicated interpreters, for his outstanding commitment to patient care and communication. Rivero Vila's professionalism, empathy and ability to connect with patients and providers have made him an important part of our hospital community.
Avera Sacred Heart Named Among Great Community Hospitals
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, S.D., has named to Becker's Hospital Review’s Great Community Hospitals list for 2026, released June 2.
CHI Health St. Francis Announces $10,000 Ticket Winner
Keagan Palmerfrom Phillips was the big winner of CHI Health St. Francis Foundation’s annual Ticket to Win raffle drawing on June 4. Palmer’s ticket was drawn for the $10,000 cash grand prize during the free social event held at the hospital.
SDAHO Provides In-Depth Education on Guardianship
Through the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) LifeCircle website, visitors can access comprehensive resources and training on guardianship and the role of guardians.
22 Good Samaritan Locations Earn National Quality Award
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) announced that 22 Good Samaritan locations received the 2026 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. This recognition signifies a location’s commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care.
Mary Lanning Healthcare Appoints New President and CEO
Mary Lanning Healthcare is pleased to announce the selection of Shanna Stofer, PharmD MHA, as President & CEO of the organization. She will begin her new position on July 13.
MercyOne Now Offers Free Breastfeeding Classes for Expecting Parents
MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center is offering free in-person breastfeeding classes to help expecting parents feel more prepared to reach their feeding goals.
Dakota Vascular Sponsors With The Helpline Center to Expand Community Support and Mental Health Access in the Sioux Falls Region
Dakota Vascular, the Sioux Falls region’s trusted leader in vascular care, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Helpline Center’s Step Forward to Prevent Suicide walk on June 6 in Sioux Falls. The public event is one of the non-profit’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Sanford Sports to Host STARS Volleyball Camp
Sanford Sports Fargo is hosting “Sanford STARS”, an all-skills volleyball camp led by program alumni who now compete at the collegiate level.
Avera Health Receives Wellvana CARE Award
Avera Health earned Partner of the Year in the health system segment of Wellvana’s CARE Awards at is 2026 Accountable Care Symposium recently in Denver, Colo. Wellvana is a national leader in value-based care enablement.
Bethany Gifford Receives Service Over Self Award
Columbus Community Hospital is proud to recognize Bethany Gifford, RN, MSN, as its second quarter Service Over Self Award recipient for 2026.
Great Plains Health and Unitek Learning Partner to Expand Nursing Education Opportunities in Rural Nebraska
Great Plains Health and Unitek Learning have announced a new partnership focused on expanding access to nursing education and strengthening the long-term healthcare workforce across central and western Nebraska.
Advanced Proton Therapy System Arrives at Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Saturday
The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center will reach a major milestone Saturday as a state-of-the-art proton beam therapy system is scheduled to arrive on campus. It’s the first proton beam system in Nebraska, marking a significant step forward in bringing advanced cancer treatment to the state and region.
Nebraska Medicine Performs First Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement on a Nebraska Patient
The Interventional Cardiology team at Nebraska Medicine performed the first Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) in Nebraska, avoiding the need for open-heart surgery. The new device (FDA approved in December 2025), allows for the minimally invasive procedure to be an alternative to a much higher risk surgery. All of this is done via a catheter inserted into a small incision in the groin.
Distinguished Service Award Nominations Open Through July 1
Each year, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) has the privilege of recognizing individuals whose leadership, compassion, and dedication make a lasting impact on health care across our state through the Distinguished Service Awards (DSA).
CHI Health St. Francis Strengthens Care Support for Bedside Nurses
CHI Health St. Francis introduced an extra layer of patient care today. The initiative further strengthens the hospital’s standing as a Magnet with Distinction organization, an international benchmark for providing the highest and most elite nursing excellence and safety.