CONTENTS

SUMMER 2023

In case you missed It

A roundup of all the latest news and happenings throughout Monument Health. page 4

What we're reading and listening to Monument Health caregivers share the books and podcasts they’re loving right now. page 8

Awareness months

Highlights of key health issues and medical staff. page 9

Hope

When a visit to the Emergency Room puts a bucket list trip in question, caregivers step up to make a patient’s dream come true. page 10

Ask the doc

An Emergency Medicine Physician for the last 30 years, Stephen Dick, M.D., answers questions about the Emergency Department. page 12

Norma takes flight

The sky's the limit for hospice caregivers who work to help their patient fulfill a lifelong dream. Read how the focus on living helps hospice patients face dying. page 16

H2Oh … I didn’t know that Summer dehydration is a serious problem. Understand how water keeps our brains and bodies cool enough to beat the summer heat. page 19

On top of the world

Trauma Surgeon Jacob

Weasel, M.D., who recently summited Mount Everest, shares how his path to the top of the world can serve as an inspiration to others. page 22

My space

The Project SEARCH team takes center stage with their work ethic, personalities and impact on the environment around them. Meet three caregivers who completed this unique program and have become a staple at Monument Health. page 28

Hometown care

More than two decades after getting involved in health care in the community where she grew up, Registered Nurse Barb Irwin is still as passionate as ever about working to help the people who mean the most to her. page 31

Growth and healing

Custer’s Healing and Wellness Garden is uniquely Custer. The garden is an oasis for all and a passion for those who live and work here. page 34

Volunteer profile

The role of a volunteer is never dull, and in the case of Kim Krull, it’s actually quite soft. page 35

Physician spotlight

Meet Kirstin Hockhausen, M.D., a Dermatologist at Monument Health Dermatology. page 36

APP spotlight

Meet Zach Petersen, PA-C, a Physician Assistant at Monument Health Hill City Clinic. page 37

Introducing

Get to know physicians who have recently joined Monument Health. page 38

Calendar

Upcoming events at Monument Health. page 39

Directory

Find a Monument Health provider near you. page 40

Monument Health surgeon performs 1,500th surgery using da Vinci Robotic Surgical System

Robert Santa-Cruz, M.D., a Urologist with Monument Health Rapid City Clinic, 5th Street, reached a major milestone in January, after he performed his 1,500th procedure using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Intuitive, the company that produces the da Vinci robot, presented him with an award for this milestone achievement.

Dr. Santa-Cruz sees a lot of benefits to using the da Vinci robotic surgical system and has worked to expand the Monument

Health robotics program. He pointed to his ability to perform more procedures and help more patients. He said, “Now I can touch the lives of more people in a day than I ever could. That to me is one of the great advantages the robot gives us, that extra capacity and longevity.” He also highlighted shorter patient recovery times compared to conventional surgeries. He said the ability for patients to recover in their own beds with their families is significant.

Monument Health Spearfish Hospital listed in Top 100 Rural Hospitals

Monument Health Spearfish Hospital was listed in the Chartis Center for Rural Health’s Top 100 Best-Performing Rural and Community Hospitals. The annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX.

Monument Health now offering ENT services in Rapid City

Monument Health began offering Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) services to the Rapid City community in January. The addition of V. Richard Bowen, M.D., Mark Guy, M.D., Jay W. White, D.O., MS, HCA, Robert Burgess, M.D., Stacie Collins, CNP and Merrill Hill, AuD., brings years of experience to the health care system, and help to further progress Monument Health’s commitment to provide high-quality care to patients close to home.

The physicians who make up the core of the Audiology and ENT team have been practicing in the area for years and are working to become a state-of-the-art tertiary care referral center for the region in order to meet the needs of the area’s growing communities.

Monument Health returns to the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo Rapid City

Monument Health announces executive leadership changes

Patrick Woodard, MHA, M.D., joins Monument Health as the Chief Health Care Information Officer. Dr. Woodard is an innovative health care leader and board-certified internal medicine physician.

Special Rodeo breaks attendance record

Monument Health hosted its second Special Rodeo during the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo. The event is for individuals of all ages with disabilities. The free event allows rodeo champions an opportunity to ride a bucking machine, interact with therapy animals and participate in stick horse barrel races.

The next Special Rodeo will be held on Aug. 26, 2023 during the Central States Fair in Rapid City. For more information, visit monument.health/specialrodeo.

Monument Health Strategic Marketing and Communications team takes home eight ADDY Awards

In February, the Monument Health Strategic Marketing and Communications team won five Silver and three Gold ADDY Awards at the American Advertising Awards banquet hosted by the Black Hills Chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

Robin Zebroski, MBA, has been promoted to Chief Brand Officer. She has successfully led the health system’s strategic marketing, internal and external communications, community relations and philanthropic efforts over the last six years.

Tasha Frisinger, MSN, RN, CNML, has been promoted to Vice President of Nursing in the Rapid City Market. She began her career as a certified nurse aide and joined Monument Health as a staff nurse. Tasha has been with the organization for 24 years, working in various leadership roles.

Steven Maser, M.D., has been named Vice President of Medical Affairs of Rapid City Hospital. Dr. Maser is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He has been with Monument Health since January 2019 as Vice President and Executive Medical Director of the Monument Health Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital.