ND State Health Officer Joins HHS, Helmsley Charitable Trust and Community Partners to Celebrate Lives Saved by AED Equipment Grants
North Dakota public health officials, the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and community partners are celebrating the lives saved during a multi-year Automated External Defibrillator (AED) equipment grant program that provided modern AEDs to law enforcement agencies across the state.
Essentia Health and Southern Valley Fire and Rescue Celebrate Partnership to Enhance Advanced Emergency Care
Essentia Health and Southern Valley Fire and Rescue today are celebrating a milestone that expands emergency medical care for the growing communities the fire department serves. Essentia Health recently contributed $40,000 to support the fire department’s purchase of two advanced defibrillator and cardiac monitor units.
Avera Promotes Heart Health Awareness Across Communities
February is American Heart Month, a time for everyone to think about their own heart health and prevention.
CHI Health Nebraska Heart Named One of the Nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals® by Premier, Presented by Modern Healthcare
CHI Health Nebraska Heart has been named as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals® according to an independent quality analysis based on a balanced scorecard provided by Premier, Inc. and published by Modern Healthcare.
North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities Opens Public Comment on Five-Year Plan
The North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities is seeking public comment on its proposed five-year state plan for 2027-2031. The plan outlines the council’s goals, objectives and strategies to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across North Dakota. Public comments will be accepted from Feb. 5-March 21, 2026.
South Dakota Names Dr. Sarah Reiffenberger Family Physician of the Year
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is proud to share that Dr. Sarah Reiffenberger, MD, FAAFP, family medicine physician at Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic – Northridge, has been named South Dakota Family Physician of the Year by the South Dakota Academy of Family Physicians (SDAFP).
Hospital Invites Community Members to 2026 Ag Safety Event
Community members of all ages can learn more about the health and safety of our agricultural community at Columbus Community Hospital’s Ag Safety Event.
Community Support and Matching Funds Raise Nearly $80,000 for Cancer Care
The Community Hospital Health Foundation is proud to announce the successful completion of a cancer care matching challenge launched during the October 11 Concert for Healthcare. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of community donors and the leadership of Dr. Benjamin George, Community Hospital’s Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, the initial $10,000 matching donation was quickly met.
Public Health Education Comes to Life for Teens Through Mobile Game “Zoodemic”
The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) have launched “Zoodemic,” a free mobile app that transforms public health education into a fast-paced, interactive game for middle and high school students.
SDAHO Presents Pain Uncovered: The Hidden Connections Shaping Relief and Dependence
Chronic pain exists along a continuum from acute injury to long-standing, centralized pain shaped by neuroplastic changes, trauma, and stress-related learning in the brain and body. Advances in neuroscience and epigenetics show how adverse experiences can alter pain processing and gene expression over time, helping explain why pain may persist even after tissue healing. Accurate identification of pain type is essential for selecting appropriate treatments, including pharmacologic options, while also recognizing the risks associated with long-term opioid therapy, complex persistent opioid dependence, and opioid use disorder. This program will look at current evidence to build integrated, patient-centered strategies that address pain, trauma, and opioid related risk together. Participation is free. Pre-registration is required.
McFarland Clinic Welcomes Urologist Steven Thoma, MD
McFarland Clinic announces that Steven Thoma, MD, will join the Clinic’s Urology Department in Ames on March 1.
DNAP Inaugural Cohort Earns 100% NCE Success Rate
The University of South Dakota’s inaugural Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice class has achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Certification Examination within 30 days of program completion, including an exceptional 89% first-time pass rate.
Sanford Health and Good Samaritan Leaders Recognized on Becker’s Chief Nursing Officers to Know List
Becker’s Hospital Review has named six leaders from Sanford Health and Good Samaritan to its most recent list of hospital and health system chief nursing officers to know.
Augustin Honored as Mary Lanning Healthcare Employee of the Year
One of the first faces patients see at the Morrison Cancer Center is Patient Representative Lori Augustin. Recently, Lori was honored as the Mary Lanning Healthcare 2025 Employee of the Year for her outstanding work with patients and their families.
Community Gathers to Raise Awareness for Heart Disease
More than 300 community members gathered at the Canopy Hotel in downtown Sioux Falls on January 30 for the Sioux Falls Go Red for Women Experience, hosted by the American Heart Association.
Williams County Reports One Measles Case
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting one confirmed case of measles in Williams County. This is the first measles case reported in North Dakota in 2026.
First Pediatric Influenza Death Reported in Nebraska
The first pediatric influenza (flu)-related death in Nebraska has been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the 2025 to 2026 season.
Nebraska Medicine Introduces New Chair of Women’s Health
When Sarosh Rana, MD, MPH, FACOG, stepped into her new role as the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s chair of obstetrics and gynecology, she did so with a clear sense of urgency — and a proven record of translating urgency into action.
Regional Medical Center Invites Photo Submissions for Artwork Display Program
Regional Medical Center (RMC) is excited to announce the launch of its new online submission form for the Featured Artwork Program. This initiative invites local photographers, from hobbyists to professionals, to submit their work for a chance to be displayed within their facility and clinics.
Macy Reichmuth Honored With Service Over Self Award
Columbus Community Hospital is proud to recognize Macy Reichmuth, RN, BSN, as its fourth-quarter Service Over Self Award recipient.