March is Kidney Health Month - a celebration of the National Kidney Foundation's 75 years of kidney health specialty care, advocacy, and fundraising with a focus on improving the quality of life for those struggling with chronic kidney disease. The color green is usually worn to support kidney health awareness as it signifies health, vitality, and growth.
At Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, we have an incredible staff of kidney care specialists working to ensure residents in northeastern South Dakota and western Minnesota have a safe, convenient, and state-of-the-art facility to receive their care.
Prairie Lakes Nephrology Clinic 
Prairie Lakes Nephrology provides diagnosis and treatment for patients with kidney diseases. Our Nephrology program also provides service for patients with disorders like electrolyte disturbance and hypertension and operates three dialysis units located in Watertown, SD; Sisseton, SD; and Ortonville, MN.
Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease:
- Metallic taste in the mouth or ammonia breath
- Loss of appetite, sometimes with nausea and vomiting
- Swelling in the face, hands, or feet
- Shortness of breath
- Making more or less urine than usual
- Urine that is foamy or bubbly
- Feeling cold all the time
Clinic Staff:
- Dr. Tina Melanson, Nephrologist
- Chelsey Sundberg, CNP
- Stef Roby, PA-C
- Nurses: Aleigha V. and Maxine M.
- Leah Le, Sr. Director of Non-Surgical Specialty Services
- Aleece J., Specialty Clinic Service Line Manager
Watertown Dialysis
The job of the kidneys is to get rid of waste and excess water in the blood and help restore the chemical balance of the body. If a kidney is damaged, a person would need dialysis to "do the job" of a kidney. Dialysis can also quickly extract toxins or drugs from the system. Patients are generally referred to a nephrologist prior to requiring kidney dialysis. When kidney function falls below 10 to 15 percent, dialysis is usually required. Patients will start one of two types of dialysis: Hemodialysis or Peritoneal Dialysis.
Reasons for Kidney Failure:
- Complications from diabetes
- Side effects of drugs
- Renal cancer
- Hypertension
- Other chronic medical conditions such as lupus, liver disease, etc
Dialysis Staff:
- Dr. Tina Melanson, Nephrologist serves as Dialysis Clinic Medical Director
- Chelsey Sundberg, CNP
- Stef Roby, PA-C
- Jan Hansen, Dialysis Director
- Nurses: Karen S., Kim T., Monica R., Susie S., Terri S., Camryn B., Nancy W., James T., Kelsie H., Jenny J., and Janice L.
- Additional Team Support Provided by: Social Workers, Registered Dietitians, Pharmacists, and Bio-Med Technicians
Sisseton/Ortonville Dialysis and Nephrology Outreach
PLHS provides convenient outreach services to those needing kidney care at Coteau Des Prairies Hospital and dialysis at IHS Woodrow Keebler Memorial Health Care Center in Sisseton, SD. Our team also provides both outreach services and dialysis at Ortonville Area Health Services in Ortonville, MN.
Sisseton Dialysis Staff:
- Nurses: Andrea W., Jacqueline N., Laura R., Kalli N., Linda B., and Holly A.
Ortonville Dialysis Staff:
- Nurses: Dawn B. and Armina C.
Nephrology is located on the 1st floor of the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic. Patients may make a clinic appointment by calling 605-882-7777.
The new Watertown Kidney Dialysis Unit opened in the Spring of 2024 with a convenient dialysis patient entrance on the 1st floor of the main hospital off of 10th Street.
All of our facilities are open to all patients and accept visitors for treatments when possible. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 605-882-5455. For general information, please contact the Prairie Lakes Kidney Dialysis Department at 605-882-7905.
Thank you to our PLHS Kidney Care professionals for the exceptional care you provide our kidney and dialysis patients each and every day.