Hunter Wookey grew up in Watertown, South Dakota and earned his undergraduate degree at Minnesota State University Mankato. When it came time to choose a graduate program, he knew he wanted to stay close to home, but he was willing to go further afield to find the right fit.

Ophthalmology Limited is expanding their dynamic group of subspecialties with the addition of Dr. Adam Bleeker, a fellowship-trained neuro-ophthalmologist and adult strabismus surgeon.

Andrew Perry grew up in Colorado and spent a decade at the helm of a large multi-specialty group in Corvallis, Oregon. Iowa wasn't really on his radar until his longtime mentor, who had led McFarland Clinic in Ames for the previous 14 years, suggested he take a closer look.

Why I chose my specialty: Primarily, I was inspired by my hometown doctor, Jerome Bentz, MD, growing up to pursue primary care. What drove me to stay on that path was seeing the longitudinal relationships with patients family physicians develop and the tremendous impact that primary care can have not only on individual preventative health but medicine and communities as a whole. 

The new Behavioral Health and Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska is Omaha offers a "no wrong door" policy for self-referral and a seamless continuum of mental health services for children and teens, positioned right alongside primary care — a deliberate signal that mental health and physical health are inseparable.

Brock Doubledee, DO, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Sanford Children's is this month’s Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana ‘Champion of Hope’": “For the most part, I refer every patient who is eligible. I feel like, if you're eligible, you deserve to receive a wish.”

Ashley Rucker was just 16 when she became a nurse assistant, her first step into a field that would define her professional life. After working on a medical/surgical ward, a cardiac ICU, and in home hospice (and earning as MSN), Rucker was ready to further her education

SDSMA has been a meaningful part of my journey as a resident, offering a platform to connect with peers and mentors. It has actively supported my professional and academic growth through opportunities in publishing, collaboration and advocacy. As I transition to fellowship, I see myself continuing this journey through the help of SDSMA to further contribute to the medical community and patients of South Dakota.

Access to quality healthcare is a key factor in what makes communities vibrant, livable, and well-positioned for growth.

Ashley Eastman, RN, a long-term care nurse at Good Samaritan Society - Pine River, shows what it means to have the heart of a caregiver. Her love of service started at a young age, and from there it has blossomed into a career focused on compassion.

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.”

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…”

From the moment guests arrive, there is a noticeable shift. The pace slows. The air feels lighter. The design — modern yet warm, refined yet approachable — invites you to exhale. The Highpoint Hotel was created with…

Endocrinologist David Newman, describes himself as a "die-hard Midwestern Dakotan". Newman grew up in Fargo and became an endocrinologist to take care of people in his home area. What he didn’t anticipate was how far many of those people would have to travel just to sit in his exam room….

Why join the South Dakota State Medical Association? Infectious Disease Specialist Peter Paul Lim, MD, shares his perspective in this first SDSMA Member Spotlight.

Rapid City pediatric hospitalist Tamra Lemley, MD, is new to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana but she is excited to learn just how many children are eligible for wishes. She’s this month’s Champion of Hope.

Every day when Tim Rave walks into work at the office of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, he's making history. Rave, who has been at the helm of SDAHO for the past eight years, is only the 6th President and CEO of an organization that has been a fixture of South Dakota medicine for 100 years…