South Dakota State Medical Association Member Spotlight
Megan Smith, MD, a Family Medicine Physician in Burke, SD, is this month’s SDSMA Member Spotlight: “I see daily what access to quality healthcare means to my community, and I will never turn away from advocating for fairer systems.”
Meet a Make-A-Wish Champion of Hope
Sami Awadallah, MD, Pediatric Cardiologist, with Avera Medical Group Pediatric Specialists is this month’s Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana ‘Champion of Hope’": “Children with congenital heart disease are not only suffering with physical limitations. Their view of life and the world can change…”
Unbelievable Inspiration: David Francisco is SDAHO’s Closing Keynote Speaker
Get ready to be moved, motivated, and completely inspired! We are thrilled to announce that David Francisco will be our Closing Keynote speaker for the 2026 Post Acute Partners in Care Conference.
Mary Lanning Healthcare Names New Chief Medical Officer
A physician who has served the Hastings community for 14 years has been named the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Mary Lanning Healthcare.
Sanford Health Expands Cardiology Outreach in Valley City
Puneet Sharma, MD, an interventional cardiologist in Fargo, offers outreach services at Sanford Valley City Clinic. He provides outreach at the clinic on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
Dr. Ashlesha Kaushik Earns National Recognition for Contributions to Pediatric Infectious Diseases
UnityPoint Clinic proudly announces that Ashlesha Kaushik, MD, MS, pediatric infectious disease specialist, has been named a recipient of the Special Achievement Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for her outstanding contributions to infectious diseases.
New Stand-Alone Radiation Oncology Center Opens in West Omaha; Dr. Max Chiu Joins Nebraska Cancer Specialists
Nebraska Cancer Specialists (NCS) is expanding access to advanced cancer care with the opening of a new, stand-alone radiation oncology center at Midwest Cancer Center – Legacy, scheduled to open in spring 2026. The expansion is further strengthened by the addition of radiation oncologist Dr. Max Chiu to the NCS physician team.
Mother and Son Nursing Duo Recognized
Noah Klein and his mother, Kailey Klein, have a lot in common. Both are nurses. Both work at Mary Lanning Healthcare, and both recently were honored for their dedication to patients.
The Iowa Clinic Appoints Brian Dieter as Board Advisor
The Iowa Clinic has appointed Brian Dieter as a Board Advisor, bringing decades of healthcare leadership experience to support the organization’s continued growth and strategic direction.
Blood Test May Help Predict Survival After Age 70
Why do some people live longer than others? New research from the University of Minnesota and Duke University, recently published in Aging Cell, investigates how tiny molecules in the bloodstream — called small RNAs — may explain and determine differences in human longevity.
Becker’s Recognizes Jensen Among 2026 CHROs and Chief People Officers to Know
Kim Jensen, Avera's Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review's 2026 list of chief people officers to know.
Alan Sazama Appointed Chair of Newly Established Emergency Medicine Department
Dr. Alan Sazama '14 has been named inaugural chair of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine’s new Department of Emergency Medicine.
Becker’s Healthcare Recognizes Sanford Bismarck’s Justin Reisenauer, M.D., as a Top Chief Medical Officer
Becker’s Healthcarehas named Justin Reisenauer, M.D., Sanford Bismarck’s chief medical officer, to its 2026 list of hospital and health system chief medical officers to know, recognizing leaders across the country who are driving excellence in clinical care, innovation and organizational strategy.
More Than 240 Iowa Hospital Leaders Convene at the State Capitol for Hospital Day on the Hill
On Wednesday, March 11, more than 240 hospital leaders, health care professionals and advocates, representing 76 Iowa hospitals and health systems across the state, gathered at the Iowa State Capitol for the Iowa Hospital Association’s (IHA) annual Hospital Day on the Hill.
UnityPoint Health–Sioux City Names New Vice President of Operations
UnityPoint Health – Sioux City is pleased to announce Mary Olhausen, MSN, ARNP-C as their vice president of operations, effective March 9, 2026. Olhausen has been with UnityPoint Health since 2021, where she served as the director of women’s and children’s services and quality.
Ashley Crawford to Provide Behavioral Health Services at Essentia Health–Mid Dakota Bismarck 9th Street Clinic
The Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Bismarck 9th Street Clinic is proud to welcome Ashley Crawford, a certified physician assistant who will practice behavioral health.
Essentia Health–Fargo Welcomes Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Dustin Leigh
Dr. Dustin Leigh, an emergency medicine physician, is excited to join Essentia Health-Fargo.
Spotlight on Dan Carpintero, Iowa Healthcare Leaders Association President
Dan Carpintero brings more than a decade of healthcare experience to his role as President of the Iowa Healthcare Leaders Association (IHLA) board. As Revenue Cycle Director at Physicians' Clinic of Iowa…
MercyOne Nurses Honored as 2026 Great Iowa Nurses
MercyOne proudly announces 10 nurses from our owned and managed medical centers are among the 133 Iowa health care professionals recognized as 2026 Great Iowa Nurses.
Miranda Mathison Joins Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic to Practice Orthopedic Surgery
The Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic is excited to welcome Miranda Mathison, a certified physician assistant who will practice orthopedic surgery.