Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Honored With 2025 Performance Leadership Award by the Chartis Center for Rural Health
All Topics Alex Strauss All Topics Alex Strauss

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Honored With 2025 Performance Leadership Award by the Chartis Center for Rural Health

As part of National Rural Health Day yesterday, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS), a division of Sanford Health, earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in outcomes. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards program recognizes top quartile performance among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective. PLHS is one of six South Dakota hospitals recognized in the outcomes category.

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Rural MercyOne and MercyOne Affiliates Receive Chartis Honors for Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Experience
All Topics Alex Strauss All Topics Alex Strauss

Rural MercyOne and MercyOne Affiliates Receive Chartis Honors for Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Experience

In honor of National Rural Health Day, MercyOne is proud to announce that 12 MercyOne and MercyOne affiliates earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality. Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top-quartile performance (75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Perspective. 

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Christine Zallar, RRT, Honored with PHIL Award
All Topics, People Alex Strauss All Topics, People Alex Strauss

Christine Zallar, RRT, Honored with PHIL Award

Christine Zallar, RRT, was awarded Monument Health’s 2025 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.

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Sanford Health Enhances Endoscopy Services at Sanford Broadway Same Day Surgery Center
All Topics, Clinical Alex Strauss All Topics, Clinical Alex Strauss

Sanford Health Enhances Endoscopy Services at Sanford Broadway Same Day Surgery Center

Sanford Health has expanded its endoscopy services at the Sanford Broadway Same Day Surgery Center, located at 715 E. Broadway Ave. in downtown Bismarck. This 15,000-square-foot addition is designed to enhance access, comfort and efficiency for patients seeking essential digestive health services in a convenient outpatient setting.

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Avera Recognizes the Power of Rural on National Rural Health Day
All Topics Alex Strauss All Topics Alex Strauss

Avera Recognizes the Power of Rural on National Rural Health Day

On Nov. 20, Avera recognizes the “power of rural,” the theme for this year’s observance of National Rural Health Day.

“For Avera, the power of rural is delivering top quality care with compassion to a population of more than 1 million people across a vast 72,000-square-mile footprint,” said Rachael Sherard, Senior Vice President, Chief Rural Health Officer at Avera. “Our integrated system is designed for the delivery of rural health care, with locations in more than 100 communities. Of Avera’s hospitals, 78% are critical access hospitals, meaning they have 25 beds or less and serve a rural location.”

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CHI Health Good Samaritan Offers Free Screening of Elf on Nov. 25
All Topics, Clinical Alex Strauss All Topics, Clinical Alex Strauss

CHI Health Good Samaritan Offers Free Screening of Elf on Nov. 25

CHI Health Good Samaritan is kicking off the Christmas season with a FREE showing of the beloved family-friendly comedy Elf on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Kearney’s World Theatre. The community is invited to attend the annual appreciation event. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. To secure a seat, movie-goers should arrive early as seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A full house is anticipated. 

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Brookings Health Honored with Ninth Straight Performance Leadership Award
All Topics, Clinical Alex Strauss All Topics, Clinical Alex Strauss

Brookings Health Honored with Ninth Straight Performance Leadership Award

As part National Rural Health Day, Brookings Health System announced it has been recognized with a Performance Leadership Award in the outcomes measured category. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance among all rural hospitals in the nation. It is Brookings Health’s ninth consecutive year receiving a Performance Leadership Award.

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Recalls and Warnings: Risk Management Considerations
All Topics, People, Clinical Alex Strauss All Topics, People, Clinical Alex Strauss

Recalls and Warnings: Risk Management Considerations

From time to time, the FDA, manufacturers, and other agencies issue recalls or serious warnings about devices, drugs, instruments and other healthcare-related products. When one of these notices impacts your medical practice, it is important to follow a comprehensive process and document all the steps you have undertaken to avoid potential liability…

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Meet a Make-A-Wish Champion of HOPE
Outreach Alex Strauss Outreach Alex Strauss

Meet a Make-A-Wish Champion of HOPE

Can a granted wish change the trajectory of a child’s illness? Find out why Sioux Falls pediatrician Rick Kooima refers his eligible patients to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana and why he thinks others should consider it, too.

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Primary Focus
In Print Alex Strauss In Print Alex Strauss

Primary Focus

At the end of each year, we invite a group of healthcare professionals in our region to share their insights on what's working - and what could be working better - in their practices. This year, we posed two questions to seven primary care providers from across South Dakota, Southwest Minnesota, and Northwest Iowa. From the high cost of care to countering misinformation to preparing for AI, their answers provide a fascinating glimpse into life in rural primary care today.

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