USD Faculty Honored as Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Audiology
Two University of South Dakota audiology faculty members, Lindsey Jorgensen, Ph.D., Au.D., and Jessica Messersmith, Ph.D., have been named Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Audiology.
Children’s Nebraska Appoints Yatin M. Vyas, MBBS, MD, to Physician Executive Leadership Role
Children’s Nebraska has named a new physician executive leader to drive clinical excellence and serve as a strategic advocate for pediatric healthcare in the organization and throughout the region. Yatin M. Vyas, MBBS, MD, has accepted the role of executive vice president and chief physician executive and will begin at Children’s Jan. 14, 2026. He will lead Children’s teams to advance quality and safety, clinical effectiveness, accreditation, medical staff services, patient experience and research.
Two Iowans Earn National Honors for Advancing Public Health
Two Iowans recently were awarded national public health awards by the National Conference of Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships. Zuli Garcia, founder of Knock & Drop Iowa, has been named recipient of the 2025 Equity in Immunization Award and Blank Children’s Hospital general pediatrician Dr. Nathan Boonstra was awarded the 2025 Immunization Leadership Award.
Dr. Matthew Pieper Leads Radiology Care in Columbus
At Columbus Community Hospital, our doctors are an incredibly important part of our community — which is why “community” is our middle name.
Essentia Health–Fargo Welcomes Hospitalist Dr. Amarinder Atal
Essentia Health-Fargo is proud to welcome hospitalist Dr. Amarinder Atal.
“I chose to join Essentia Health because it was a great fit,” said Dr. Atal. “The people you work alongside can have a huge impact on your experience, particularly in a high-stress environment like a hospital. The Essentia team showed me that this is a place where I can flourish.”
Box Butte General Hospital Names Kim Morrow as New Chief Financial Officer
Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Morrow as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With more than 30 years of experience in finance, including five years in healthcare, Morrow brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to BBGH. "We are excited to have Kim back at BBGH. She did a great job as a Controller for us in her previous role, and we welcome her to the executive team as our new CFO. She is going to be a great asset for us moving forward,” said Dr. Brian Shelmadine, Interim Chief Executive Officer. Morrow is bringing her experience in key specialties such as accounting, strategic planning, revenue cycle, auditing, and compliance.
Sanford Health Leaders to Share Perspectives on the Future of Care at 13th Annual Becker’s CEO+CFO Roundtable
Sanford Health leaders will join CEOs, CFOs and physician leaders from top hospitals and health systems across the country next week in Chicago for an exclusive event focused on the best strategies to transform the future of health care in an evolving health care landscape.
Clarkson Institute Names Semifinalists in Script Competition Exclusively to Nebraska Students
Clarkson Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Nebraska the healthiest state in the nation, is excited to announce four semifinalists to its first-ever script competition focused on how always-available technologies shape the lives of young people today. The competition was launched in partnership with The Glowmedia Project.
Rapid Intervention and Expert Treatment at Essentia Health Preserve Minnesota Man’s Life Post-Stroke
The evening of March 26, 2025, was like any other for 75-year-old Brian Kvebak, who was relaxing downstairs at his lakeside home near Battle Lake, Minnesota, when he heard dishes clanking.
Dr. Robert Sticca Honored for Outstanding Physician Community and Professional Service
Dr. Robert Sticca, a surgical oncologist from Fargo, was recognized during the North Dakota Medical Association’s (NDMA) Annual Meeting for being the 2025 recipient of the Physician Community and Professional Services Award.
Lexington Regional Health Center Duo Completes Nebraska’s Elite Leadership Program
Lexington Regional Health Center is excited to announce that Hannah Hild, Director of Outpatient Services and Jessi Linder, Chief Facility Safety Officer, completed the 10-month Leadership Institute course offered by the Nebraska Hospital Association. This course allowed Hannah and Jessi to enhance their leadership skills through many interactive sessions, tailored specifically to healthcare. The Nebraska Hospital Association Leadership Institute gives professionals the resources they need to grow their abilities to lead. By completing this course, they will be better equipped with executive abilities to enhance the organization.
Lexington Regional Health Center’s Brenna Bartruff Recognized with Bright Idea Award
Lexington Regional Health Center (LRHC) is proud to announce that Brenna Bartruff, Chief Communications Officer, has been named the winner of the Bright Idea Award by the Nebraska Healthcare Marketers (NHM). Bartruff accepted the honor on behalf of the LRHC Marketing Department during the Nebraska Hospital Association Annual Awards Banquet.
HHS Celebrates Inaugural Award Recipients in Behavioral Health and Child Welfare
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) recognized the first-ever recipients of awards celebrating outstanding contributions to behavioral health and child welfare. The awards were presented during the fifth annual Behavioral Health and Children and Family Services Conference, held Oct. 20–23, at the Bismarck Event Center.
Essentia Health–South University Clinic Welcomes Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Markus Erb
Essentia Health-South University Clinic is proud to welcome pediatric cardiologist Dr. Markus Erb.
Lisa Aguilar, RRT, Recognized with PHIL Award
Lisa Aguilar, RRT, RPFT, was awarded Monument Health’s 2024 PHIL award. The Phil Award, which is The FACES Foundation’s signature program, is the only nationally recognized hospital-based recognition program dedicated to honoring outstanding respiratory therapists who provide exemplary care and treatment for patients with respiratory illnesses. Winners are nominated by patients, family members and other caregivers.
Samantha Simley Joins Essentia Health–Fargo as a Palliative Care Practitioner
Essentia Health-Fargo is proud to welcome Samantha Simley, a certified physician assistant who will practice palliative care.
Essentia Health–45th Street Clinic Welcomes Family Medicine Practitioner Jenna Sandman
The Essentia Health-45th Street Clinic is proud to welcome Jenna Sandman, an advanced practice nurse and certified nurse practitioner who will practice family medicine.
Great Plains Health Board Chair Honored as Nebraska Hospital Association Trustee of the Year
Lindsay Pedersen, Board Chair at Great Plains Health, has been selected as the Nebraska Hospital Association's (NHA) Trustee of the Year. Pedersen received the award at the NHA annual banquet on Wednesday, October 22.
Nate Schema of Good Samaritan Appointed Vice Chair of AHCA Board of Governors
Good Samaritan president and CEO Nate Schema has been elected as Vice Chair of the American Health Care Association’s (ACHA) Board of Governors. AHCA is the nation’s largest association representing long-term and post-acute care communities.
Dr. Talalaev Joins Good Samaritan as Critical Care Pulmonologist
CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary Medicine/Critical Care (Good Samaritan) welcomes board-certified critical care pulmonologist Dr. Michael Talalaev, DO to its staff.