Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is a part of the community.  Our organization is based in Watertown, SD and our team cares for patients in a ten county service area in northeastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Wherever you receive care you will be treated like family, because here you are family.

Services by Community:

Prairie Lakes Hospital and specialty services are based in Watertown, SD. View all medical services available in Watertown.

Home Health services are available to residents in Codington, Clark, Hamlin, Grant, Deuel, Day and Roberts counties in South Dakota.

Specialty Physicians Provide Outreach Services to the Following Communities:

• Cancer 
  
  • Dawson, MN
  • Milbank, SD
  • Montevideo, MN
  • Sisseton, SD
• Cardiology
  • Dawson, MN
• Dermatology
  • Milbank, SD
  • Huron, SD
  • Brookings, SD
  • Aberdeen, SD
• Dialysis Units
  • Ortonville, MN
  • Sisseton, SD
• General Surgery
  • Milbank, SD
  • Ortonville, MN
• Nephrology
  • Huron, SD
  • Ortonville, MN
  • Sisseton, SD
• Urology
  • Milbank, SD
• Orthopedics
  
  • Milbank, SD
  • Madison, MN
  • Ortonville, MN
  • Sisseton, SD
• Podiatry
  • Milbank, SD
  • Ortonville, MN
  • Madison, MN

Your health is our mission. We take care of you when you're not feeling well and strive to support your everyday wellness. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System supports community initiatives and provides tools and opportunities to live better and healthier. 

Whether you like to get hands on with an event or health program or read articles quietly at home - we have something for you. 

Read Our Health & Wellness Blog

Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation holds campaigns throughout the year to fulfill its mission and its impact on the lives of people receiving healthcare in our region. If you are interested in volunteering or donating to any of these events, please contact the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation office at 605.882.7631 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

Upcoming Campaigns:

B.A.S.H. 2025 - Saturday, May 3rd (held annually) 

BASH (Building A Superior Healthcare System) is an annual gala social event hosted by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation to raise funds for a specific cause at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. The evening consists of a social hour, gourmet dinner and dessert, live and silent auctions and fabulous entertainment.    

For questions, please contact Lisa Dahl, Foundation’s Executive Director at 882-7631. 

Read more about the cause Give Tomorrows. 

Yellow Rose Week - June 2 - 6, 2025 (held annually the first full week of June)

Yellow Rose Week is the primary fundraiser for the Suzanne Jacobson Memorial Fund (SJMF). It is held the first full week of June each year. Typically yellow roses and bouquets are sold by dedicated volunteers, at local businesses and in other communities in the region. Monetary donations are encouraged and appreciated at any time.  

The SJMF may be able to assist with a grant of up to $2,000 per year. This grant is meant to help cover the cost of medical bills, medications, travel related to medical care, groceries, utilities, or rent/mortgage. Approximately $33,000 in grants are distributed each year. Since the fund's inception in 1999, we have awarded over $540,000 to more than 890 individuals. 

Suzanne Jacobson was a healthcare provider in Watertown who lost her battle with cancer in 1998. The SJMF is a memorial created by Suzanne’s family and friends to continue her legacy of compassionately caring for others.

Read more about the cause Give Help

Hospital Hill Run - June 7, 2025 (held annually in June) 

Part of the proceeds from this annual run and walk held every June is given to the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House. The fundraiser features a 5K run, 5K walk, and a one-mile walk. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to participate and encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Caring Club House. 

The Prairie Lakes Caring Club House exists to meet the hospitality needs of out-of-town patients, families, and caregivers who receive services through Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. As Prairie Lakes grows as a regional medical center more people come to Watertown for their healthcare needs. As part of our mission to provide compassionate care, we are proud to offer his special home to help ease the burdens individuals may face during a medical experience. Volunteers assist guests daily at the Caring Club House. More than 350 guests are served each year.

Read more about the cause Give Shelter

Pulmonology is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis and management of both chronic and acute diseases of the lungs, respiratory tract and bronchial tubes.

Common diseases treated by a pulmonologist include:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Cough
• COPD
• Cystic fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Pneumonia
• Shortness of Breath
• Sleep Apnea
• Tuberculosis

Our Pulmonology Specialist

Svien Senne, DO

Pulmonology (Lung)

Learn More

Haley Ellis, CNP

Pulmonology (Lung)

Learn More

Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy 

Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows doctors to look at your lungs and air passages. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is one of the first healthcare systems in South Dakota to implement Ion, a robotic-assisted technology for minimally invasive biopsies deep within the lung not accessible through a traditional bronchoscope. 

During a bronchoscopy with Ion, Dr. Senne uses the controller to navigate to the lung mass along a digitally planned path. The catheter can articulate 180 degrees in any direction to pass through small, difficult to navigate airways and around tight bends to reach all 18 segments of the lung. This advanced technology brings answers and treatment decisions regarding lung cancer to patients sooner. 

Prairie Lakes Pulmonology serves area residents through Dr. Svien Senne. Pulmonology is located on the 1st floor of the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic in Watertown. Patients may make a clinic appointment by calling 605-882-7777 or toll free at 855-465-8897. No referral is required.

Prairie Lakes’ Radiology Department offers the following specialized procedures:

CT Guided Biopsies

A CT-guided biopsy is when a CT scanner is utilized to aid the Radiologist in collect tissue samples to be sent to a Pathologist for testing. The patient is positioned on the CT scan table.  Using x-rays and advanced computer programs, the CT scanner will create detailed images of the body.  The Radiologist will use these images to accurately insert a needle into the tissue to collect the needed samples.  This is a minimally invasive procedure.  Depending on the area being biopsied, the Radiologist may elect to perform the procedure with Ultrasound guidance in place of the CT scanner.

Fine Needle Aspirations

A fine needle aspiration is a diagnostic procedure used to collect tissue samples of abnormalities such as masses and lumps, or fluid located just below the skin.  Using imaging guidance, a thin, hollow needle is inserted into the abnormality and a sample is taken to be sent to a Pathologist for further testing.  This is a minimally invasive procedure.

Joint Injections

Joint injections are used in the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases such as arthritis, tendonitis, gout and bursitis.  An injection of a steroid or other medication is made into a joint in order to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain.  These procedures are done utilizing real-time imaging called fluoroscopy (fluoro).

Arthrograms

An arthrogram is a diagnostic test used to study joints.  Real-time fluoroscopy imaging is used to guide the placement of a needle into the joint.  A contrast material is then injected and this contrast allows the Radiologist to see the state of the joint, bone and surrounding tissue, ligaments, cartilage and muscle.  These studies are usually done in conjunction with MRI or CT.

Barium Studies

Barium is a white chalk-like radiopaque contrast that is used in liquid form to visualize the esophagus, stomach and small bowel under fluoroscopy.  Patients are given the option of flavoring the barium to make it more palatable.

Barium Enema

Barium enemas are performed to evaluate the large intestine (colon) for any abnormalities such as strictures, diverticulum or polyps.  These procedures are often ordered after an incomplete colonoscopy when the surgeon is not able to visualize the entirety of the patient’s colon due to sharp turns in the colon structure.  During the barium enema, a tip is inserted into the patient’s rectum and barium is used to retrograde fill the large intestine.  A patient may notice slight cramping as the barium moves to the junction of the small intestine.  The Radiologist may have the patient roll slightly on the table to visualize the entirety of the colon and will take multiple pictures using the fluoroscopy camera.

Past Chairman