CHI Health Good Samaritan President Curt Coleman Announces Retirement Effective January 5
After more than three years of service in Kearney, and more than 34 years in health care, CHI Health Good Samaritan President Curt Coleman has announced his upcoming retirement effective Jan. 5, 2026.
Prairie Lakes Orthopedics Welcomes Nurse Practitioner to Clinical Team
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to welcome Jolyn Sackmann, DNP, to the Prairie Lakes Orthopedics team. Sackmann joins a skilled group of providers including Dr. Michael Vener, Dr. Gerald Rieber, Dr. Casey Johnston, Lisa Lee, CNP, and Tim Larson, PA-C, in delivering expert care for patients with orthopedic conditions involving joints, bones, ligaments, nerves, and tendons.
The Iowa Clinic Broadens OB/GYN Services as State Confronts Escalating Maternal Health Challenges
Amid Iowa’s growing maternal health care crisis, The Iowa Clinic is expanding its OB/GYN services with the addition of Dr. Alicia Toncar to its Women’s Center. This strategic investment underscores the Clinic’s commitment to ensuring women and families across the state have continued access to high-quality, local obstetrics and gynecologic care.
CHI Health Good Samaritan to Launch Cancer Rehabilitation Program Sept. 8
CHI Health Good Samaritan’s free cancer rehabilitation program helps survivors regain their physical, emotional and spiritual health after treatment.
Essentia Health Calls on Congress to Extend Medicare Coverage for Telehealth Services
Last week, Essentia Health joined a coalition of health care organizations calling on Congress to extend Medicare coverage for telehealth services before it expires on Sept. 30. In a letter to Congressional leaders, Essentia Health urged either a permanent extension or, at minimum, a two-year extension, be established to provide stability and clarity for patients, providers and the broader health care system.
Three Sanford Researchers Secure Major Grants from the National Institutes of Health
Sanford Research has been awarded more than $8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study ovarian cancer, binge eating disorders and G protein-coupled receptor (GCPR) signaling.
Mary Lanning Healthcare Pulmonary Rehabilitation Receives Recertification
Mary Lanning Healthcare’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation program recently received recertification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
Regional West Physicians Clinic Announces Collaboration with ChartSpan
Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family and Internal Medicine clinics have partnered with ChartSpan, a preventative care service provider, to offer comprehensive care management programs to Medicare patients.
Essentia Health Introduces Four New Board Members
Essentia Health is pleased to announce four additions to our Board of Directors: Marc Adams, Marci Knight, Dr. Josh Honeyman and Sister Jeanne Ann Weber. The new leaders bring a wide range of experience across sectors and a proven track record of innovation.
Free Community Education–Aug. 28 The Secrets to Understanding Medicare
CHI Health St. Francis, in partnership with CHI Health Clinic: Nebraska Heart Institute, is offering a free community education session, “The Secrets to Understanding Medicare,” on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 pm. The session will be held in Conference Room 2/3 at the hospital.
World-Renowned Speaker Ryan Campbell to Conclude SDAHO Annual Convention
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is thrilled to welcome Ryan Campbell as the closing keynote speaker for the 2025 Annual Convention.
Dr. Scot Christiansen Leaves a Lasting Legacy
After over 31 years of service at Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Manchester, Dr. Scot Christiansen is retiring from OB & Family Practice on September 1, 2025.
Essentia Health–Wahpeton Welcomes Alicia Blaufuss to Practice Psychiatry
Alicia Blaufuss, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner, is excited to join the Essentia Health-Wahpeton Clinic to practice psychiatry.
Customs Kicking Cancer Promotes Prostate Cancer Awareness at 85th Annual Sturgis Rally
With more than 530,000 vehicles recorded at the 85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which has a predominantly male attendance, the inaugural charity event Chrome For a Cause provided a powerful platform to create open dialogue about prostate cancer.
MercyOne Genesis Silvis Medical Center Experiences Baby Boom
MercyOne Genesis Silvis Medical Center is experiencing a baby boom. The upward trend in births began shortly after Dr. May Yazeji's arrival in July 2024. Since her arrival, the hospital’s birth center has experienced a 194% increase in deliveries in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2023.
Essentia Health Collaborates with Local Organizations to Identify Community Health Needs and Promote Improvements
Essentia Health’s mission is to make a healthy difference in people’s lives, and that work extends beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics.
The Wellmark Foundation Supports University of Iowa’s SIM-IA to Advance Lifesaving Training and Strengthen Rural Health Care
The Wellmark Foundation has partnered with the University of Iowa College of Nursing’s Simulation in Motion-Iowa (SIM-IA) program to further strengthen health care delivery in rural Iowa communities.
Avera Secures Three-Year Federal Grant to Enhance Virtual Nursing Services
Avera has received $1 million in funding for the Avera RURAL-UP: Solving Rural Workforce Challenges in the Upper Midwest with Virtual Patient Care program
Good Samaritan and St. Francis Recognized with 4-Star CMS Rating; St. Francis Skilled Care Achieves Top Distinction
On Aug. 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2025 Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings. Both CHI Health Good Samaritan and CHI Health St. Francis well surpassed the national average and achieved four stars.
Emily O’Brien Appointed Deputy Commissioner of North Dakota HHS
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pleased to announce that Emily O’Brien will join the agency as deputy commissioner, effective Aug. 20.