CHALLENGE
The June E. Nylen Cancer Center vs Cancer in Siouxland
8500+
35,000+
14,000+
LIFE IS Bett er WITH A TEAM YOU CAN TRUST
We’re on your team to provide your patients with expert orthopedic care you both can count on. Sanford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has been recognized by the Joint Commission for providing the highest quality of patient-centered, advanced care that goes unmatched in the region.
We offer more treatments and more specialties, including:
• Sports medicine
• Total joint replacements and revisions
• Orthopedic oncology
• Wide-awake hand surgery
• Trauma surgery
• Pediatric surgery
• Foot and ankle surgery
• Podiatry
• Concussion care
• Joint injections
• Hip arthroscopy and preservation
• Robotic surgery
Connect your patients to a full scope of orthopedic care. Visit sanfordhealth.org to refer a patient.
VOLUME 16, NO. 4 ■ JUNE
THE COVER
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
The June E. Nylen Cancer Center vs Cancer in
Siouxland
■ By Alex Strauss
Serving 5,500+ patients a year across 15 counties, this innovative cancer center tackles Iowa’s rising cancer rates with state-of-the-art treatments, strategic partnerships, and a whole lot of creativity.
PAGE 6 | This Month Online
PAGE 11 | AI IN HEALTHCARE: Balancing the Benefits and Risks
■ By Copic’s Patient Safety and Risk Management Department
Virtual scribing, patient communication tools, and other AI applications are transforming healthcare faster than regulations can keep pace. Here’s how to limit the risks.
PAGE 12 | [Sponsored] DESIGNING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE
Real world examples: See how CMBA Architects designs healing environments that maximize efficiency while enhancing the experience for both patients and visitors.
PAGE 14 | NEWS & NOTES
Sanford joins the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, new pediatric safe room for Siouxland, LIfeScape opens its newest residential home — plus dozens more updates from healthcare leaders regionwide.
PAGE 19 | USD SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT: Karlee Burton
PAGE 21 | UPCOMING 2025 EVENTS
PAGE 22 | [Sponsored] HOW AN OB/GYN IS IMPROVING CLINICIAN EXPERIENCE AT SANFORD HEALTH
CONTACT INFORMATION
STEFFANIE LISTON-HOLTROP
VP Sales & Marketing
Publisher / MED MAGAZINE, LLC
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Vice President Sales & Marketing
STEFFANIE LISTON-HOLTROP
Editor in Chief / ALEX STRAUSS
Staff Writer / KIM LEE
Magazine Design / ANGELA CORBO GIER
Client Relationship Manager / BARBIE MUNOZ
Digital Media Director / HYA AMURAO
605-366-1479
Steff@MidwestMedicalEdition.com
ALEX STRAUSS
Editor in Chief
605-759-3295
Alex@ MidwestMedicalEdition.com
WEBSITE MidwestMedicalEdition.com
MAILING ADDRESS
PO Box 90646, Sioux Falls, SD 57109
FROM US TO YOU
While all cancer centers have a challenging job to do, a cancer center in a state with one of the highest cancer rates in the country has an, arguably, even harder job. In this month's cover feature, we explore how the June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City has done it so well for so long. We know so many of you are curious about augmented intelligence, so we have another article from the experts at COPIC about how AI may impact your business in the near future.
And this month's sponsored features focus on an architectural firm that specializes in beautiful medical spaces and a local OBGYN who is working to make the practice of medicine easier on her colleagues.
Enjoy these articles and all the latest area industry news and events, have a great start to your summer, and we'll see you in July!
All the best, —Alex & Steff
Cover Photo: Jetske Photography — From Left to Right: Nibash Budhathoki, MD, MBBS (Hematology & Medical Oncology); Krista McCullough (Executive Director); Lisa Chaiken, MD (Radiation Oncology); and Donald Wender, MD, Ph.D. (Medical Director & Hematology & Medical Oncology)
Children’s Nebraska Pediatric Surgery
Improving Outcomes and Experiences for Pectus Patients with Innovation, Compassionate Care
Children’s Nebraska’s pediatric surgeons understand the profound impact of expert, compassionate care for children and their families. As the largest and most experienced pediatric surgical team in the region, we offer unmatched comprehensive care across the full spectrum of surgical interventions – including special expertise in moderate to severe cases of chest wall deformities such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum.
“About 18 months ago, we started adding cryoablation to our procedures,” explains Dr. Cusick. “This technique freezes four nerves, providing numbness for 3-6 months after surgery. It has been a game changer.”
“For a long time, we called pectus a cosmetic procedure, but recent studies show it can improve heart and lung function as well.” says Children’s pediatric surgeon Robert Cusick, M.D. “I love taking care of these patients because often the physical appearance can hurt their self-confidence at a key point in adolescence. These procedures can have drastic changes on their self-esteem.”
Located in Children’s state-of-the-art Hubbard Center for Children, which opened in 2021, the surgical team provides an exceptional, family-centered experience. The world-class surgical suites are equipped to offer minimally invasive surgical interventions, advanced robot-assisted technologies and techniques that promote faster recovery and healing, less pain, lower rates of infection and fewer complications. Each surgery is led by a multidisciplinary pediatric team with specialized pain management techniques, including cryotherapy and cryoablation.
With a combined 100 years of experience, the Pediatric Surgery team is committed to keeping each child safe and comfortable throughout their entire surgical journey, from clinic consultation to the operating room and recovery. Children’s also offers surgical treatments for various medical conditions with expertise in bariatrics, colorectal issues, hernias, oncology, thyroid conditions and more.
“There is no greater privilege than caring for a sick child,” says Dr. Cusick. “Education and research allow us to improve children’s health into the future, but nothing matters more to our team than caring for and healing our patients today. Patients and their families deserve the best in surgical skills, compassion and a trusting relationship.”
The Pediatric Surgery division at Children’s continues to grow and innovate to meet the needs of children and families. Abdalla Zarroug, M.D, Robert Cusick, M.D., Megan Fuller, M.D., Kathy Schall, M.D., Adil Shah, MBBS, Melissa Suh, M.D., and Patrick Thomas, M.D. collaborate and embrace innovation, utilizing the latest techniques and technologies to deliver optimal care for pediatric patients.
Exclusive Online Content
MED STAFF interview healthcare leaders in the region and craft award-winning original content for every issue of MED Magazine In the pages of this publication and our website are the only places you’ll find these thoughtful, in-depth pieces featuring local facilities, programs, and people. Have you missed any of these recent articles?
WHERE EXPERTISE & EDUCATION MEET
The Sanford Center for Digestive Health
The New Sanford Center for Digestive Health is transforming regional GI care in a state-of-theart facility where they have combined clinic and procedure spaces on one floor and launched the Dakotas’ first gastroenterology fellowship program.
AT HOME IN HURON
How HRMC is Cultivating a Diverse
Workforce
in the Black Hills
Meet the orthopedic duo at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital bringing rare hip surgery expertise to the Black Hills. Their complementary expertise is allowing them to bring truly comprehensive care to children, adolescents, and adults with even complex conditions.
TAKING IT TO THE STREETS
Midwest Street Medicine’s Call to Compassion
Midwest Street Medicine brings healthcare directly to Sioux Falls’ homeless population, with volunteer medical professionals offering everything from basic care to addiction services twice weekly. Read how they are improving outcomes through a trauma-informed approach built on trust.
Huron Regional Medical Center is building bridges across cultures by strategically recruiting and supporting a diverse pool of healthcare workers. From high school apprenticeships to helping internationallytrained professionals regain credentials, they’re filling workforce gaps, improving care, and creating a team that reflects the community’s unique cultural makeup.
FROM OUR PARTNERS DTB SYSTEMS
TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE EFFICIENCY THROUGH ADVANCED COMMUNICATION TOOLS
Given the many challenges facing rural healthcare systems today, maximizing efficiency is not just about convenience—it’s essential for quality patient care and staff retention. DTB Systems, the premier distributor for Jeron serving the upper Midwest for over 16 years, has established itself as a leader in healthcare technology integration by providing nurse call systems that transform how facilities operate.
“If you have to have a nurse call system meeting code requirements, you might as well buy something that’s going to give you a return on investment,” says Jerry Weiler, Vice President of Business Development at DTB Systems. “Something that’s going to help you retain staff, not need as much staff, and not be weighed down by a lot of service needs.”
One striking example of this return on investment comes from a prominent hospital in New Jersey.
According to Stephanie Kuhl, BSN, RN, CPHQ, Director of Clinical Solutions at Jeron, the hospital implemented the Provider 790 system with workflow stations and eventually added the integrated solutions of Real Time Location System (RTLS) with iPhone integration.
“Using the data they gleaned from their nurse call system, they were able to see how many priority level calls versus basic request calls,” Kuhl explains. “From the Jeron’s call statistics report, they created a new position who would be the frontline triage for non-urgent calls. This took a huge stress off floor nurses and CNAs.”
NEW REPORT CONFIRMS WHAT SD NURSES KNOW: IT’S NOT AN EASY PLACE TO WORK
A NEW REPORT from the personal finance website WalletHub ranks South Dakota among the worst states for nurses.
The study evaluated a variety of metrics to come up with scores for 50 US cities. Among them were average annual salary adjusted for cost of living, nurse job openings per capita, healthcare facilities per capita, percentage of residents living in an underserved healthcare area, and numbers of residents over 65.
South Dakota ranked 45th out of the 50 states. North Dakota fared even worse in the report ranking 48th on the list. There is some good news for nurses in the Plains states, however. Minnesota ranked 8th on the list. Iowa was right in the middle at number 25.
UP for the CHALLENGE
The June E. Nylen Cancer Center
CANCER in Siouxland vs
IOWA CONTINUES to have one of the highest rates of new cancer diagnoses in the country, second only to Kentucky in per capita cases. More concerning still, Iowa remains the only state in the nation with increasing cancer rates. For residents of Northwest Iowa, this sobering reality makes the presence of the June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City not just a convenience, but a necessity.
Since opening its doors in 1995 as a joint venture between MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center and UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s, the June E.
Nylen Cancer Center has been at the forefront of bringing advanced cancer care to the tri-state region. Originally established as the Siouxland Regional Cancer Center (renamed in 2004), it was one of the first freestanding outpatient cancer centers in the Midwest.
Today, the center serves approximately 5,500 patients annually from a 15-county area spanning Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, with nearly 42,000 patient visits each year. On any given day, about 150 patients come through the doors seeking diagnosis, treatment, and support.
“We’re not stagnant,” says Krista McCullough, Executive Director, who has been with the center since 1995 and was promoted to director in 2018. “We are continually looking for the best equipment, planning for improvements, and figuring out how to get the best treatments for our patients, in spite of the challenges.”
INNOVATION IN THE FACE OF OBSTACLES
Those challenges are substantial. Five Iowa counties in the center’s catchment area are among those with increasing cancer incidence rates. And, while the need has never been greater, costs continue to climb and providers are harder to find.
“One of our biggest challenges is recruiting medical oncologists,” says McCullough. “There is a nationwide shortage as many older oncologists are retiring and larger centers are adding to their teams. In addition, the cost of drugs that we have to purchase has also increased.”
But JENCC is undaunted. Rather than accept these limitations, they’re constantly innovating to ensure that patient care doesn’t suffer. “We can’t just crumble because we don’t have
enough physicians,” McCullough says. “We have had to figure out how to move forward, who we need to collaborate with, and how to continue to get the things we need.”
One solution has been to develop strategic partnerships for delivering telehealth services. “We have implemented telehealth to help us, using providers that are outside of June E. Nylen Cancer Center to be part of our team,” McCullough says. “That’s how we are staffing our outreach clinics in Storm Lake, Onawa, and Cherokee.”
McCullough says the support of the Siouxland community has also been a critical part of JENCC’s forward momentum. Donors have funded state-of-the-art equipment and facility upgrades that might otherwise be out of reach for a regional cancer center.
“Thanks to our donors supporting our work and large projects, we have visitors that come through and say ‘Your facility is beautiful!’ and ‘How do you have this or that piece of equipment?’,” says McCullough. “It’s largely because of donor support.”
It’s clear from their numerous accreditations that their strategy is working. JENCC recently received ASTRO’s APEx Accreditation for Radiation Oncology—the first such accreditation in Iowa or Nebraska. The center’s medical oncology program is also certified through the QOPI Certification Program.
“If there is something top level, we are going to go after it,” says McCullough. “We don’t just meet accreditation and forget about it. We take what we learn and continue to improve.”
THE EVOLUTION OF CANCER TREATMENT
The landscape of cancer care has changed dramatically since the center opened three decades ago and no one understands this evolution better than Dr. Donald Wender, Medical Director and Medical Oncologist/Hematologist. Dr. Wender has been with June E Nylen Cancer Center since its inception.
“When I first started, there were no targeted therapies except for CML [Chronic myeloid leukemia],” Dr. Wender recalls. “Now, most of the major tumors have targeted therapies and it has changed the way we practice. Thanks to next-generation sequencing (NGS), we are able to look for mutations that we can target.”
The emergence of immunotherapy has been another game-changer. “It has dramatically altered the prognosis in the treatment of lung cancer and multiple other cancers,” says Wender. “The chemotherapy that I used initially we only use a little now, so there has been a dramatic change.”
Radiation Oncologist Dr. Lisa Chaiken, who joined JENCC just over two years ago after practicing for decades in California, says she has been impressed by what she found here. “The June E. Nylen Cancer Center offers stateof-the-art equipment even superior
“WE'RE NOT STAGNANT . . . IN SPITE OF THE CHALLENGES.”
and more rare tumors, including some of the most aggressive brain tumors.”
But the news is not all bad. Dr. Wender says better treatments are leading to better outcomes. “People are living longer and some people are being potentially cured who never would have been cured before,” he says.
“Cancer is more of a chronic illness for a lot of patients now,” adds McCullough. “Thanks to a variety of advancements, patients tend to have fewer side effects, shorter courses of treatment, and treatments targeted to their specific types of tumors.”
STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS AND INVESTMENTS
Strategic partnerships have been another key part of June E. Nylen Cancer Center’s success. One of the most important has been with Nebraska Medicine/University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), with whom JENCC has collaborated
been particularly valuable in the radiation oncology department, where the physicians, including Dr. Chaiken and another provider who will start at the end of the year, are actually employed by Nebraska Medicine.
“This hybrid of community practice and academic medicine was exactly what I had been looking for and is rare to find,” says Dr. Chaiken. “I have all the advantages of a busy community practice with the best equipment and staffing, plus the availability of the University of Nebraska Buffet Cancer Center for support, research, and peer review.”
The center is also at the forefront of emerging cancer treatments. Dr. Chaiken and the JENCC team worked with Nebraska Medicine/ UNMC to bring PLUVICTO, an innovative radiopharmaceutical therapy for advanced metastatic prostate cancer, to Sioux City. This form of precision medicine uses radiation
in peripheral intravenous infusion form to target cancer cells.
“We have some of the latest treatments available for our advanced prostate cancer patients and we are fully equipped to deliver whatever treatment the patient might need with our two linear accelerators,” says Dr. Chaiken.
Despite the need to keep its belt tight, JENCC doesn’t hesitate to invest where it’s needed. In 2023, they enhanced their diagnostic capabilities with a $2.6 million PET scanner — the only permanent one in a 75-mile radius. Looking ahead, JENCC is planning facility upgrades
“ CANCER DOESN'T STOP SO WE CAN’T EITHER.”
including a $2.5 million renovation of the chemotherapy/infusion mixing area and oral dispensary, plus a dedicated theranostics room for delivering radioactive treatments. McCullough says the upgrades will allow for new kinds of treatments, decreased patient delays, improved workspace efficiency, and enhanced quality and safety.
“We are continually planning on the next thing that we can do to make sure that we can take care of people,” says McCullough. “I always think that cancer doesn’t stop so we can’t either. At the end of the day, that patient still has cancer and is counting on us.” ❖
AI IN HEALTHCARE
Ba la ncing the Benefits a nd Risks
BY COPIC’S PATIENT SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
TAI
HE INCREDIBLE speed at which artificial intelligence (AI) has been adopted in medicine has outpaced the regulatory environment that would typically provide guidance and rules regarding its use. As of the writing of this article, no federal regulation exists to clearly answer common questions.
Given all the uncertainty, the bedrock of a safe strategy for the use of AI is the guidance that providers should always review the output of AI before it reaches the patient or becomes part of the medical record. Failure to review notes or communication drafted by AI presents substantial medico-legal risk.
Virtual Scribing and Consent
Artificial intelligence has already been widely adopted for use as a virtual scribe during patient encounters with the promise of providing a substantial increase in provider efficiency and satisfaction. Use of this technology involves some form of recording of the patient encounter. As such, patient consent for this recording may be required in some circumstances to comply with state and local laws. Even if not explicitly required, we recommend that verbal consent from the patient be obtained prior to utilization of an AI virtual scribe for the encounter. This consent may provide some protection for the provider from allegations of negligent consent (a lack of informed consent) and helps promote continued trust in the provider-patient relationship.
The rules regarding documentation of this consent are unclear, but some form of contemporaneous documentation in the chart is best practice. We recommend against any automatic blanket statement added to charts indicating that AI technology was used and that errors may be present in the chart as a result. It remains the provider’s sole
responsibility to ensure that the documentation is accurate, and disclaimer statements may provide a false sense of security that errors are somehow not the provider’s responsibility or an impression to the patient or third parties that a provider is detached from what is in the chart notes and has not fully reviewed the chart.
Other Considerations
Many of the major electronic health record (EHR) vendors are in the process of rolling out generative AI solutions to aid in direct communication with patients. These fall along a spectrum, from tools that act simply as a glorified spelling and grammar check, to tools that allow a response to be translated to a different reading level, all the way to de novo generation of a response to a patient question. Regulations regarding consent and notification for use of this application of AI are even more opaque than for virtual scribing.
In response to understanding the preceding information, it remains imperative that all responses that have been generated or edited by AI are fully reviewed by a medical
professional prior to being sent to a patient. Several studies have already demonstrated that AI solutions may generate advice that, if followed, can directly lead to patient harm. Providers need to keep sight of the fact they need to remain vigilant to catch potential errors in these responses. As a best-practices approach, AI-generated responses may be viewed as a “first/rough draft” and not sent to a patient without review and correction by a qualified provider, as the legal liability continues to rest with the medical entity sending the communication.
The use of generative AI in medicine offers the potential for significant relief from some of the more mundane and frustrating tasks associated with the practice of medicine, but it also brings with it a new set of potential risks, both to patient safety and to provider liability. Using these new tools safely requires all providers to be aware of the importance of reviewing any output generated by AI before it becomes ready for incorporation into the medical record or visible to patients. ❖
The information provided herein does not, and is not intended to constitute legal, medical, or other professional advice; instead, this information is for general informational purposes only.
DESIGN I NG THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE
AT CMBA ARCHITECTS, people are at the heart of everything we do. Our genuine care for individuals – and our insight into how they experience the spaces we design – drives us to create healthcare environments that are not only functional but transformative for everyone who uses them.
The design of healthcare facilities plays a pivotal role in operational efficiency, staff satisfaction, and, most importantly the quality of patient care. CMBA Architects is driven to design environments that foster healing for patients and deliver supportive spaces for staff. By staying true to our human-centered approach, we stay at the cutting edge of healthcare design and can give back to the people and communities we serve.
PRIORITIZING PATIENT CARE
Healing begins with the right environment. That’s why, when designing healthcare facilities, we thought fully consider every detail a patient might experience – from room layouts and materials to lighting and color palettes. Every element is intentionally designed with patient safety, comfort, and well-being in mind, ensur ing that patients feel supported on every step of their healing journey.
Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars, Iowa, partnered with CMBA Architects to elevate its maternity care experience, resulting in a space that is as functional as it is comforting for both mothers and babies. Central to the design are spacious Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) rooms that allow new moms to stay in one serene, uninterrupted setting throughout the entirety of their care. These modernized rooms discreetly integrate medical infrastructure that preserves a warm, calming atmosphere while meeting patient needs.
EVIDENCE-BASED EFFICIENCY
Patients aren’t the only ones who benefit from thoughtful healthcare design — staff performance is just as vital. Research consistently shows that the physical environment directly impacts staff efficiency, which in turn affects the quality of patient care. For example, one study revealed that strategic architectural planning can significantly reduce nurses’ walking distance, allowing them to spend more time with patients. It’s clear that to provide a healing environment for patients, staff must also be given a positive workspace.
At Burgess Health Center in Onawa, Iowa, CMBA Architects integrated efficient workstations and centralized storage to streamline workflows and improve care delivery. Similarly, at Kimball Health Services in Kimball, Nebraska, dedicated nursing stations were designed to enhance staff efficiency, while improving patient privacy, safety and comfort while supporting the delivery of exceptional healthcare.
Floyd Valley Healthcare – Le Mars, Iowa
By actively engaging healthcare professionals throughout the design process, we create facilities that support both their well-being and their ability to deliver exceptional care.
SPACES INVITING ENOUGH TO STAY
Visitors play an essential role in the healing process, and healthcare environments should reflect that. CMBA Architects designs welcoming, intuitive spaces that make every visit — whether brief or extended — comfortable and stress-free.
At Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City, Iowa, improving the visitor experience was a priority. We enhanced hospital functionality through intuitive wayfinding, abundant natural lighting, comfortable seating, and a streamlined reception area — all designed to make visiting loved ones stress-free and enjoyable.
With offices throughout Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, CMBA is committed to partnering with hospitals and health systems to shape environments that support the future of healthcare.
Our mission is to create healing environments that prioritize safety, comfort, and well-being by supporting patients, empowering staff, engaging communities and inspiring innovation through creativity and compassion. ❖
Stewart Memorial Community Hospital – Lake City, Iowa
Kimball Health Services – Kimball, Nebraska
News & Notes
AVERA
VICTORIA HANSON
Victoria Hanson, PhD, MHA, MSW, LICSW, FACHE, has been
Pediatric Nephrologist John Sanders, MD, received the Master Clinician Award at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine’s Research and Scholarship Day 2025 in April. In addition, several Avera physicians have been promoted to Clinical Professor roles, including Marty Allison, Rochelle Boote, Kingshuk Dasgupta, Shannon Emry, Ashutosh Gupta, Elizabeth Peck, Nicole Poppinga, John Sanders, Jennifer Tegethoff, and Katherine Wang.
appointed Regional President and CEO of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. Hanson brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, most recently serving as Vice Chair of Administration for Mayo Clinic Health System’s Southwest Minnesota Region since 2016. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and licensed clinical social worker, Hanson holds a PhD in social work from Indiana University and a master’s degree in health administration from Louisiana State University.
MONUMENT
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, placing it among only 30% of U.S. hospitals achieving this top safety designation. The rating evaluates more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries, infections, and preventive systems. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital rating program focusing exclusively on preventable medical errors and injuries.
Monument Health Cancer Care Institute has become South Dakota’s first radiation oncology department to earn prestigious APEx accreditation from the American Society for Radiation Oncology. The rigorous, multi-step evaluation process validated the institute’s adherence to consensus-based standards for safety, quality and patient-centered care. APEx is the fastest-growing radiation oncology practice accreditation program in the United States.
The American Cancer Society has awarded $25,000 in grants to Monument Health
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital has earned recognition from Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the top five U.S. hospitals with lowest heart failure readmission rates based on 2020-2023 CMS data. The hospital’s “Heart Success” program utilizes advanced monitoring tools, innovative devices, and cross-disciplinary communication to enhance patient outcomes. The Heart and Vascular Institute has also received “High Performing Hospital for Heart Failure” designation from U.S. News & World Report for 2024-2025.
Foundation has received the “2024 US Highest Percentage Year-Over-Year Increase in a Small Market” award from Children’s Miracle Network, with a 135.22% increase in funds raised. The award highlights the Foundation’s work to improve pediatric healthcare services in the region, with funds supporting essential medical equipment, programs, and facility improvements for children in need, including the Rapid City Children’s Expansion.
LUKE ROLLER ALEX FENG
A Bismarck physician has been named medical director of radiology at Huron Regional Medical Center. Luke Roller, MD, founder and chief executive officer of Independent Medical Consultants (IMC), will succeed Jim Schwaiger, MD, who is leaving HRMC after 23 years. Dr. Roller and Minneapolis-based Alex Feng, MD, along with their partnered team of teleradiologists, will provide interpretation for all imaging studies performed at HRMC and the HRMC Physicians Clinic.
Pediatric Department Vice Chair, Dr. Lesta Whalen with Awardee, Dr. John Sanders
Derby” raised $136,000+ for Northern Hills healthcare initiatives on April 26. The event, evolving from the 27-year tradition of the Northern Hills Hospice Ball, funded hospice care and three wireless fetal monitors for Spearfish Hospital’s Labor & Delivery Department.
Monument Health recognized ten physicians and providers at their annual Physicians and Providers Awards Banquet on April 4. The winner were:
Leslie Van Dyne, M.D., Early Career Physician of the Year Award
Katie Michelson, CNP, Early Career Provider of the Year Award
Kyle Schmidt, M.D., Distinguished Clinician Award
Tricia Hoffman, PA-C, Distinguished Clinician Award
Luis Hernandez, M.D., FACC, Distinguished Researcher Award
Siri Knutsen-Larson, M.D., Distinguished Educator Award
Zachary Petersen, PA-C, Distinguished Educator Award
Stephen Tamang, M.D., Distinguished Community Leader Award
Michael Statz, M.D., Robinson-Howe Legacy Award
Jacqueline G arner, CNP, Robinson-Howe Legacy Award
SANFORD
Sanford Health has earned the 2025 Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health from Mental Health America, marking its third consecutive recognition and first platinum status achievement. Sanford has implemented comprehensive support including resiliency groups, counseling services, and the BeHEARD program which requires all supervisors to complete behavioral health response training to better support their teams. Sanford is the only Bell Seal-certified system in the Dakotas.
For the second year in a row, Sanford USD Medical Center has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals. The annual ranking highlights medical centers that provide exceptional care during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. The ranking is based on a nationwide survey of healthcare leaders, patient experience surveys, and hospital quality metrics. Sanford USD Medical Center delivered 3,431 babies in 2024.
largest endovascular conference. His first presentation showcased groundbreaking work using the Penumbra Indigo Lightning Flash System to treat pulmonary embolism, with which he has treated 15 Monument Health patients with no complications. His second presentation focused on treating peripheral arterial disease using the Phoenix atherectomy device which has been used to treat 51 Black Hills area patients with completely blocked and calcified arteries. Dr. Purushottam also presented a complex case involving laser-assisted removal of a malpositioned inferior vena cava filter.
Sanford Children’s Hospital has received a $1 million, 10-year commitment from Marsh McLennan Agency to advance pediatric behavioral healthcare. The investment will expand Sanford’s behavioral health team with additional therapists and social workers, implement comprehensive screening tools for all admitted children, and help create dedicated healing spaces.
ANDY MUNCE
Andy Munce has been named President and CEO of the Sioux Falls region of Sanford Health. Previously serving as chief operating officer and interim president and CEO of the region, Munce brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience. His career at Sanford began in 2004 as an RN in the surgical cardiovascular unit, followed by several leadership roles. Munce holds a BS in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing administration from South Dakota State University.
Several Sanford Health leaders took part in the 15th Becker’s Annual Meeting in Chicago at the end of April. Nick Olson, Executive Vice President and CFO, joined Madeline Ashley of Becker’s Healthcare for a fireside chat on advancing access, quality, and sustainability in rural America. Tiffany Lawrence, President of Sanford Fargo, participated in an opening semi-keynote panel titled “What CEOs Need to Thrive in the Next 12 Months.”
Todd Schaffer, President of Sanford Bismarck, joined a panel discussing key trends shaping healthcare’s future, while Daniel Hoody, CMO of Sanford Bemidji, focused on clinical leadership.
Sanford USD Medical Center has been designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV, an international accrediting organization. Comprehensive Stroke Centers are those that have the personnel, infrastructure, and expertise to diagnose and treat stroke patients who need intensive medical and surgical care, specialized tests, or interventional therapies. The designation was received after a two-day survey focusing on clinical and non-clinical areas, utilizing tracer methodologies and staff and patient interviews.
Jianning Tao, PhD, and his Sanford Research lab recently received a nearly $2.5 million R01 grant from the NIH. The five-year grant supports Dr. Tao’s investigation of p53 and NOTCH genetic pathways influencing tumor development in osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer affecting teenagers and young adults. The p53 pathway helps prevent cells from becoming cancerous, while NOTCH proteins regulate cell communication, differentiation, and tissue development. Dr. Tao’s research aims to understand how these pathways interact in skeletal diseases to identify more effective treatment options.
NICK OLSON
Nick Olson, Executive VP and CFO at Sanford Health, participated in Modern Healthcare’s 2030 Playbook Conference in Nashville on April 2. Olson joined a panel discussion on how providers and payers navigate an evolving landscape with changes to payment models, sharing insights on strategies to ensure sustainable growth and improved patient outcomes, including the role of AI in shaping future healthcare delivery.
Fortune has named Sanford Health to its list of “America’s Most Innovative Companies” for the third consecutive year. Sanford is the only company in either North or South Dakota named to the list, which honors 300 U.S. companies. Among the winners, 63 are in healthcare—more than any other sector—with 35 being health systems. The ranking evaluates scores on three dimensions: product innovation, process innovation, and innovation culture. Other healthcare organizations named include Johnson & Johnson, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Pfizer, and Henry Ford Health System.
BILL GASSEN
Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, will share how Sanford Health is using virtual care to expand access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities at a global summit in Amsterdam June 16 to 19. HLTH Europe includes 5,000 attendees and 350 speakers representing more than 50 countries. Gassen will join Washington Post columnist Leana Wen for a main stage session entitled, Bridging Access Gaps in Rural Care: The Power of Virtual Health.
RACHEL LI
Sanford Health is now a member of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, an NIH-backed research study of patients affected by mysterious illnesses. Dr. Rachel Li, principal investigator and geneticist at Sanford Health, will collaborate with top geneticists, researchers, and providers at other healthcare organizations to find diagnoses or treatment options for patients with rare diseases. Sanford will enroll at least five patients annually. As of October 2024, the UDN has evaluated more than 2,600 participants and provided over 825 diagnoses.
SIOUXLAND
The MercyOne Siouxland Wound Clinic has been awarded Healogics’ President’s Award for clinical and operational excellence for the past three years. This is Healogics’ highest honor. It’s only awarded to the country’s top 2% of wound clinics. Additionally, the Clinic received a Center of Distinction Award for 2024. The MercyOne Siouxland Advanced Wound Care Clinic has been helping patients with wounds for over 20 years
MercyOne Siouxland Child Advocacy Center held its annual Protecting Families Conference in April at Morningside University. This year’s keynote speaker was Matt Lindemeyer of the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team. He provides investigative assistance, expertise and training to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, child protection
agencies and multidisciplinary teams on investigation and prosecution of child abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, exploitation and fatality cases.The MercyOne Siouxland Child Advocacy Center, the only one of its kind in Western Iowa, provides vital services during child abuse investigations.
UnityPoint Health has earned its fourth consecutive recognition on Becker’s “150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare” list. The organization is one of only two Iowa-headquartered health systems honored this year. UnityPoint was recognized for its team-centered culture, comprehensive benefits program offering mental health support and education assistance, and professional development initiatives that have advanced hundreds of
National Leadership Section on Infectious Diseases Education Committee. Dr. Kaushik has been invited to review the AAP Red Book and has served as visiting faculty at Harvard for her work with AAP and the CDC. Her research project has been nominated for Best Research Award at Harvard Medical School.
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s recently unveiled its new pediatric safe room in its emergency department. The room is part of four modern “safe” rooms designed for patients experiencing mental health crises or severe distress. These specialized spaces provide a calm, secure environment that minimizes stimuli and ensures safety, creating a supportive setting for compassionate, effective care. The safe room was made possible with money raised by the Siouxland Miracle Riders for St. Luke’s Children’s Miracle Network.
GUNNER ST. JOHN JOEL KRAAYENBRINK
The CNOS clinic has added two Advanced Practice Providers to their team. Gunner St. John, PA-C, recently earned his master’s in physician assistant studies from the University of South Dakota and joins the CNOS Orthopaedic Department alongside Dr. Justin Deans at the Morningside Clinic. Joel Kraayenbrink, PA-C, has joined the Orthopaedic Urgent Care team at the Dakota Dunes Urgent Care Clinic.
Healthcare in Sioux City recently welcomed Dr. Kate Ferrell to their team.
Dr. Ferrell, from Rapid City, South Dakota, says she was drawn to obstetrics/ gynecology because it allows her to help women through significant life transitions like adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause. Dr. Ferrell joins five other providers at the practice, including Rena Avery, DO, the only Menopause Society Certified Practitioner in Siouxland.
INDEPENDENTS
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce the Prairie Lakes Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastics (ENT) Clinic is now seeing patients in its new location on the second floor of the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic. Previously located at Mallard Pointe Surgical Center, the ENT clinic has officially moved to join several other Prairie Lakes specialty services under one roof. The new space offers patients a more centralized and convenient experience.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation has raised $113,000 at BASH 2025, celebrating the event’s 30th anniversary with 350+ attendees. Proceeds will fund two advanced cancer technologies: Ion Robotic-Assisted Technology for precise lung biopsies enabling earlier cancer detection, and a Linear Accelerator delivering high-precision radiation therapy. The May 3rd gala at Watertown Event Center featured Kentucky Derby viewing, auctions, and live entertainment.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has begun construction on a major cancer care upgrade at its Cancer Center in Watertown. The project includes a new vault to house an advanced linear accelerator (LINAC), delivering more precise radiation therapy and enhancing treatment capabilities. Patient care will continue uninterrupted during construction, with careful planning ensuring minimal disruption. The upgrade, scheduled for completion by year-end, demonstrates PLHS’s commitment to providing sophisticated cancer treatment options locally.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in Watertown is now providing surgical outreach to Coteau Des Prairies Health Care System in Sisseton. General surgeon Kris Johnson, MD, sees patients at this location every other Tuesday. Other Prairie Lakes general surgeons travel to Ortonville Area Health Services in Ortonville and the Avera Health Care Campus in Milbank providing minimally invasive procedures for gallbladder disorders, hernias, breast diseases, thyroid disease, colon cancer, and acid reflux.
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Pediatrician April Willman, MD, of Yankton Medical Clinic, PC, has received the 2025 Kindness Initiative Award from the USD Sanford School of Medicine Pediatrics Department. students, Dr. Willman exemplifies the initiative’s principles, which integrate kindness into education, culture, and strategy as a crucial element in healing and happiness. Dr. Willman also serves as Associate Dean of the SSOM Yankton Campus and Clinical Associate Professor in the Pediatrics Department.
BYRON NIELSEN
Yankton Medical Clinic’s Byron Nielsen, MD, has been awarded the 2025 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from the USD Sanford School of Medicine. This award is presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, which has taken a leadership role in developing the concept of humanism in medicine, promoting the attributes of Integrity, Excellence, Compassion, Altruism, Respect, Empathy and Service in medical students and practicing physicians. The award is based on input from medical students and practicing physicians.
Yankton Medical Clinic’s Ambulatory Surgery
Karlee Burton, OTD, OTR/L
Degree: Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Current Position: Occupational Therapist, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System
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.
“I interviewed remotely because of COVID and I had a great experience,” she says. “USD was actually the one school that I didn’t visit in person but I knew it was the right fit.”
So Burton and her husband moved across the country in 2020. At the time, she admits, she had a limited view of what occupational therapy could be. “Initially, I wanted to do pediatrics and I thought I’d never do hands,” she says. “But it’s one of those things where you get in and go ‘Wow - there’s so much I can do with this!’”
Today, Burton’s work at the VA involves primarily geriatric patients and a lot of hands, both of which she loves. She credits USD’s comprehensive program and the diversity of faculty expertise for expanding her OT horizons.
“The faculty really encourage you to explore whatever fuels your fire,” she says. “I was surprised at how much I enjoyed hand therapy. At USD, you learn more about yourself and find your passion areas while you are learning and having experiences.”
As a recent graduate, Burton is delighted to have found in Sioux Falls both a professionally fulfilling job and a welcoming home. “Sometimes people wonder what we’re doing here since we’re not from here, but everyone has been so great,” she says. “We made so many great connections through USD’s community so we stuck around.”
Burton says her OTD may not be the final rung in her educational ladder. But, thanks to the broader understanding she gained at USD, she says she feels well-equipped to keep climbing.
minor procedure and consultation rooms, and create a new central sterilization department. The final phase, scheduled for completion in late 2026, will modernize the post-anesthesia care unit and patient preparation and recovery rooms.
PATRICK KELLY
Dr. Patrick Kelly of Dakota
Vascular in Sioux Falls is expanding access to specialized vascular care by starting an outreach clinic in Milbank, South Dakota at the Milbank Area Hospital Avera Health. The new location will make it easier for patients in the area to get diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing vascular care closer to their homes.
OTHER
The Ty Eschenbaum Foundation made a surprise $100,000 donation to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana on World Wish Day, April 29. The contribution brings the foundation’s total donation to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana to $315,000 over the past four years. During the event, Wish Kid Bella and her family learned that her wish to visit
Several Sioux Falls companies hosted National Walking Day activities on April 2, including Aerostar, Avera Heart Hospital, Chase Bank, Experience Sioux Falls, and PREMIER Bankcard. The American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart & Stroke Statistical Update shows that fewer than half of U.S. adults and fewer than one in five children get the recommended amount of physical activity for heart health. The annual National Walking Day aims to raise awareness about the benefits of regular
LifeScape opened their newest adult residential home in eastern Sioux Falls
This marks the fifth adult residential duplex opened in the past five years, completing a strategic initiative that started in 2020. Each home features a single-floor layout for residents with mobility challenges as well as private bedrooms and bathrooms for each resident. The new Washington Home also includes enhanced technology features as part of LifeScape’s Virtual Support Services. The project was made possible through partnerships with the South Dakota Department of Human Services, South Dakota Housing Development Authority, Lloyd Companies, and Furniture Mart.
MARY WATSON
Mary Watson, MD, is celebrating 25 years as a provider at the Center for Family Medicine and a leader in the Sioux Falls Family Medicine Residency program. A graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Dr. Watson completed a two-year Pathology Residency before finishing her Family Medicine residency in 1991 at the Sioux Falls Family Practice Residency. After spending nearly a decade as a primary care physician in Canton, she returned to become a Faculty Physician at the Sioux Falls Family Medicine Residency on April 26, 2000. Dr. Watson has led the residency’s Patient Education efforts.
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE 13
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Pioneer Memorial 18th Annual Golf Fundraiser
LOCATION: Glenridge Golf Course, Irene, SD
JUNE 17 – 19
8:00 am – 5:00 pm 2025 Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health
LOCATION: Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck, ND
JUNE 18
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
SDAHO Healthcare Leadership Essentials-Human Resources: Legal Aspects of Management
LOCATION: Virtual
JUNE 25 – 26
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
SDAHO Rural Health Leaders Conference
LOCATION: Drifter’s Event Center, Fort Pierre, SD
SEPTEMBER 11 – 12
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Iowa Healthcare Leaders Association (IHLA) Fall Conference
LOCATION:
Hilton Garden Inn, West Des Moines, IA
SEPTEMBER 19
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
CNOS Occupational Medicine Symposium
LOCATION: Holiday Inn Express, Dakota Dunes, SD
SEPTEMBER 24 – 26
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
99th Annual SDAHO Convention
LOCATION: Sioux Falls, SD
OCTOBER 7 – 8
Time TBA
Iowa Hospital Association 96th Annual Meeting
LOCATION: Community Choice
Credit Union Convention Center, Des Moines, IA
OCTOBER 17
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
CNOS Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Symposium
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn Express, Dakota Dunes, SD
How an OB/GYN is improving clinician experience at Sanford Health
IThese issues can lead to burnout, and according to the American Medical Association, nearly half of all physicians experienced at least one symptom of burnout in 2023.
For health systems like Sanford Health, addressing burnout head-on is critical to improving the clinician experience and, subsequently, patient care. Heather Spies, MD, is an OB/GYN and the physician director of clinician experience and well-being at Sanford Health. Through her leadership and collaboration with her peers, Dr. Spies is making strides to improve clinicians’ lives at work and at home.
DR. SPIES’ CAREER AS A PHYSICIAN AND LEADER
From delivering babies and caring for women of all ages to leading internal well-being initiatives, Dr. Spies does a lot to care for others at Sanford Health, and she’s been doing it for a long time.
“I’ve been with Sanford Health my entire career,” said Dr. Spies. “I’ve worked here for over 18 years, and there have been a lot of changes during that time, but I’ve always felt like I’ve had access to the resources, support and opportunities I need to grow. It’s an incredible place to work for.”
Dr. Spies initially started her practice at Sanford Health in Watertown, South Dakota, and while she’s always loved her job, she’s struggled with managing her well-being in the past.
“Balancing my practice with raising a family was difficult, and to be honest, I didn’t always balance it well,” said Dr. Spies. “One emphasis we have within Sanford Health is that we need to model well-being and look out for each other. We support each other, so it truly feels like we’re a family.”
In 2011, she was invited to join Sanford Health’s Leading the Way organization.
“I built a community of people around me to check in with and bounce ideas off of,” said Dr. Spies. “We often go through similar experiences when we’re trying to raise a family or balance our personal life with our career, so having a support network was really beneficial for my well-being and growth.”
The Leading the Way program resonated with Dr. Spies and sparked a desire in her to do more to help her fellow clinicians, which she has done in many different roles since then.
CREATING CLINICIAN WELL-BEING INITIATIVES
After moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2015, Dr. Spies went on to obtain an MBA in organizational leadership. During that time, her colleagues, mentors and leaders at Sanford Health were very supportive, and she was able to
continue her full-time clinical practice.
Once she finished her degree, Dr. Spies got to pioneer a new role within Sanford Health – physician director of clinician experience and well-being. This would eventually
Recognition Program. This program evaluates health systems based on six different categories — assessment, commitment, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, leadership and support.
“As a part of this program, we
“I love seeing the endless ways Sanford Health has contributed to where we live”
lead to the formation of groups like the Clinician Well-being Council (CWC) and the Sanford RISES clinician leadership program.
The CWC supports clinicians’ professional and personal lives by prioritizing, advocating for and modeling clinician well-being throughout the organization.
“Working in health care can be stressful no matter where you practice or what your specialty is,” said Dr. Spies. “It’s absolutely essential to us to prioritize clinician experience. If we don’t support our people, they may burn out.”
RISES stands for Reach, Impact, Strategy, Empower, Serve and provides Sanford Health’s top clinicians with a chance to grow and embrace their role as a leader.
The participants in this program are nominated by their leaders, and the goal of the program, like many others, is to build the best culture possible for every clinician at Sanford Health.
“One of the reasons I’m proud to work at Sanford is that we have very robust clinician assistance programs,” said Dr. Spies. “We support our clinicians. If a clinician would like to seek counseling or coaching for either personal or professional growth, we provide that to them for free.”
Another program Dr. Spies has seen make an impact on the well-being of clinicians is the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System
as a health system acknowledge and commit to the organizational work that needs to be done to improve well-being in the workplace,” said Dr. Spies. “We are looking for ways to optimize teamwork and efficiency so clinicians have more valuable time with patients rather than administrative tasks. This, coupled with our leadership development initiatives, gives clinicians more joy in their work and makes them feel supported by their leaders.”
Sanford Health received the gold level of recognition from the program in 2023 and continually strives to maintain and improve the initiatives it has in place. Currently, it’s the only system based in the Dakotas to be recognized by the program.
USING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE WORK EFFICIENCY
Sometimes the solution for solving physician burnout and other well-being issues comes through technological advances like artificial intelligence. Dr. Spies has seen how it helps employees focus less on daily tasks and more on their patients.
“A lot of primary care physicians are going home and spending two or three hours a night charting,” said Dr. Spies. “To cut back on this time, we recently introduced
an AI tool that uses ambient technology to summarize and input notes into patient charts.”
Cutting back on time spent on patient charts gives physicians the ability to focus on what they enjoy the most – helping patients.
“I think one of the reasons I’ve worked here for so long is that I’ve received support when I needed it,” said Dr. Spies. “I’ve had peers, partners and colleagues step up to encourage me and help me find joy in my work, and it’s what makes Sanford Health so special.”
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING CLINICIANS
Sanford Health wants to improve the health of the communities it serves, and that includes the health and well-being of its clinicians, too.
“I love seeing the endless ways Sanford Health has contributed to where we live,” said Dr. Spies. “I have always felt that Sanford attracts people that like to collaborate, communicate and support each other. I have complete trust in the organization because the decisions we make are grounded in our values.”
By investing time and resources into its people, Sanford Health is doing everything it can to improve all aspects of health care.
“Ultimately, it comes down to the patients and giving them the best care we can,” said Dr. Spies. “If we aren’t taking care of ourselves, we can’t be on the top of our game.”
Careers at Sanford Health provide excellent pay, comprehensive benefits, and above all, the opportunity to serve your community. If you’re looking for a rewarding career with plenty of room to grow, start exploring our open positions at sanfordcareers. com today.
We’re the only hospital in South Dakota.
No other hospital in South Dakota has worked harder to build a culture of safety.
SPRING 2025