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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.
First recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Marion D. and Theodore H. Koefoot, Jr., M.D. Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine Award in 2006, Ehresman has once again been honored in 2026, two decades later, for his continued dedication to mentoring the next generation of physicians.
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.
Eva Kluender, MPH, was working as a dental assistant when she took her first public health course as part of her undergraduate degree program in Health Sciences at USD. "My original plan was to become a dental hygienist," she says. She reasoned that a Health Sciences degree…
Pediatric Oncologist Ashlee Blumhoff, APRN-CNP, CPHON, with Sanford Children’s was the top referrer for Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana and is this month’s Champion of Hope.
Amy Heim, an advanced practice nurse and certified nurse practitioner who will practice family medicine, is excited to join the Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Bismarck Kirkwood Clinic.
The Essentia Health-Wahpeton Clinic is excited to welcome Anna Enderle, a certified physician assistant who will practice family medicine.
The Essentia Health-45th Street Clinic is proud to welcome Hannah Lundstrom, a certified physician assistant who will practice walk-in care.
As part of its commitment to improving access to comprehensive cancer care across Iowa and the Midwest, UnityPoint Health is pleased to announce two key leadership appointments for oncology services.
Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) is pleased to announce its Legacy Gala on Friday, November 14, 2025. This is an event to honor outstanding healthcare professionals and raise funds for local health and wellness initiatives. The Gala will be held at the Konferenz Center in the Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park (130 Heritage Drive, Manning, IA).
IHLA Board Member De Schieltz has spent more than 25 years mastering the art of making OB/GYN practices run smoothly. Meet her in this Board Member Spotlight article.
Sheila Vondrak, RN, BSN, brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and administrative acumen to her role as Treasurer on the Iowa Healthcare Leaders Association (IHLA) board.
Interventional Cardiologist and Vascular Specialist Bhaskar Purushottam, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, FSVM, of the Monument Health Heart and Vascular Institute has co-authored an original research paper along with his European colleagues in the reputed “Journal of Endovascular Therapy.”
For Alice Cruz Morales, clinical coordinator and director at a Wyoming substance use treatment center, the USD School of Health Sciences Addiction Counseling and Prevention program represented not just an educational opportunity but hope for a future she thought she might never have.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Thursday approved the creation of the Diabetes Center for Excellence in Diabetes Care, Research and Education (C-DIACARE) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha campus. The designation of this Board of Regents center unifies research and education efforts across the university system, bolstering statewide diabetes prevention and care, said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD.
Cherie Dowell, a certified physician assistant practicing family medicine, is excited to join the Essentia Health-West Acres Clinic.
Pender Community Hospital and Medical Clinics is proud to announce that Lori Minert, Director of Rural Health Clinics, has been awarded the Outstanding Rural Health Achievement Award by the Nebraska Rural Health Association (NeRHA).
ruralMED Management Resources is proud to announce the appointment of Amber Ackerson, J.D., as its new Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Director of the ruralMED Health Cooperative, L.C.A. Amber’s extensive background in rural health care and her proven track record in leadership make her the ideal candidate to guide our teams and partners towards achieving our strategic goals and vision for the future.
Regional West Physicians Clinic-Pain Management recently welcomed a new nurse practitioner.
McFarland Clinic is pleased to announce that Taryn Kosier, CNM, ARNP, has joined McFarland Clinic’s Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) Department in Ames. Taryn will see patients at McFarland Clinic in Ames and in Marshalltown.
Tommy Ibrahim, M.D., executive vice president and president & CEO of Sanford Health Plan, has been named to Modern Healthcare’s list of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives for 2025.
Deborah Dancer, MPA, has been named executive director of the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Coalition. An enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation (also known as the Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe), Dancer comes to the coalition with a range of skills including facilitation, mediation, strategic planning, grant writing, public administration, and advocacy.
Sanford Health President and CEO Bill Gassen is taking part in a fireside chat at the Healthcare AI Summit in Minneapolis June 1o to share insights on how Sanford Health is leveraging AI, virtual care and clinical innovation to transform health care delivery across rural America.
Tommy Ibrahim, M.D., executive vice president, president and CEO of Sanford Health Plan, will share insights on the health plan’s journey and growth in Medicare Advantage (MA) at the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) conference June 10 in Chicago.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is pleased to welcome Alex Ammann as the new Director of Patient Access. In this role, Ammann will lead the operations of hospital and clinic patient access services, including financial clearance, admitting, reception, and scheduling.
After more than 40 years in a variety of roles for Nebraska Medicine, UNMC, and the University of Nebraska, James Linder, MD, will step down as Nebraska Medicine CEO on Tuesday, July 1. Dr. Linder has held the CEO title since August 2018. The Nebraska Medicine Board of Directors unanimously chose Michael Ash, MD, to succeed him as the next chief executive officer of the private, nonprofit health system.
Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family Medicine, Scottsbluff welcomes two new physicians to its team of providers.
For Karlee Burton, the journey to becoming an occupational therapist began a long way from South Dakota. Born and raised in central Oregon, Burton studied exercise science and business at a small Oregon college and says she "took a leap of faith" during the pandemic in choosing the USD School of Health Sciences for her doctoral studies.
Dr. Lycia Thornburg, a board-certified dermatologist and aesthetic expert, was recently selected to participate in the prestigious Masters of BOTOX® Cosmetic (MOB) Program through Allergan Aesthetics. This elite, invitation-only program identifies and cultivates emerging leaders in aesthetic medicine. Out of thousands of providers nationwide, only 22 were selected, and Dr. Thornburg is honored to be among them.