Friday, September 01, 2023
Prairie Lakes Welcomes New Chief Information Officer, Tim Pugsley
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is pleased to welcome Tim Pugsley to the administrative leadership staff. As Chief Information Officer (CIO), Pugsley will provide executive leadership for strategic information technology initiatives at PLHS.
Pugsley grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Bellevue University in Nebraska with a degree in Management of Information Systems and went on to earn his master’s in business administration. He is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives, Health Information Management Systems Society, and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. Pugsley is also a certified Healthcare CIO and sits on the board of directors for the Minnesota State Health Information Management Systems Society Chapter and the national chapter of the Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Technology.
Pugsley recently relocated to Watertown from Mankato, Minnesota where he had responsibility for the technology and analytics teams for a multi-specialty physician group. Prior to his position in Minnesota, he was the CIO at Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Texas for seven years. Before that, he served as the CIO for a physician owned orthopedic hospital for 10 years. He and his wife, Mandi have three children: Jordan, Madelyn, and Emma. In his spare time, Pugsley enjoys outdoor activities including golf, hunting, and fishing.
“My wife and I recently moved to Watertown, and we really like the community,” Pugsley said. “I am excited to become part of PLHS because of the dedication to providing excellent patient care.” He added, “As professionals in the healthcare sector, our true north is to help others and it is evident the people at PLHS are committed to helping members of the community. I am thrilled to become part of that culture.”
Pugsley joins the Prairie Lakes Administrative Leadership Team consisting of Shelly Turbak, Chief Nursing Officer, Alison Gilbertson, Vice President of Human Resources, Laurie Fieber, Vice President of Operations, Jay Hodges, Interim Chief Financial Officer, and John Allen, Chief Executive Officer.
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Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Join us for the 9th Annual Celebrating Life Event Featured
PLHS is happy to join the Watertown Breast Cancer Support Group to host the 9th Annual Celebrating Life Breast Cancer Awareness Event on Thursday, October 12, 2023. This free event was created to provide an evening to come together to support, encourage, and comfort each other while also "celebrating life" for those who have had breast cancer touch their lives.
We are excited to announce the return of keynote speaker, Susan Sparks, as she shares her keynote, “The Tisdale Triangle". This is a funny and poignant account of how surviving a harrowing thunderstorm atop a motorcycle crossing the South Dakota plains taught Susan how to survive any one of life's storms. First, you must stop and then find shelter. Only after you find shelter and feel confident in your support system, you must then get back out and face the storm in order to get through it. As a breast cancer survivor, Susan has a unique perspective on how to connect with others navigating their own breast cancer journey. As a pastor and comedian, she shares her story with humor, wit, passion, conviction, and empathy.
Join Susan, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, and Watertown Breast Cancer Support Group on Thursday, October 12th at 2nd Street Station in Watertown. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. offering a cash bar, a light dinner, and a door prize raffle. Members of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, General Surgery Clinic, and the Cancer Center will be on hand for questions and to share information.
Event Agenda:
5:30 p.m.: Doors Open
Cash bar & Complimentary Light Supper
6:30 p.m.: Welcome by representative of the Watertown Breast Cancer Support Group
7:00 p.m.: Keynote Address “The Tisdale Triangle: How to Navigate Life's Storms" by returning keynote speaker, Susan Sparks
Susan Sparks is a trial lawyer turned standup comedian and pastor of the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in NYC. An award-winning nationally syndicated columnist and a best-selling author, Susan is also a professional comedian touring nationally with a Rabbi and a Muslim comic. Her work has been featured in Oprah Magazine, the New York Times, and on such networks as ABC, CNN, and CBS. For more information, check out SusanSparks.com.
8:00 p.m.: Door Prize Winners Announced
New in 2023, the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation will be selling forty (40) "Celebrating Life" bracelets exclusively at the 9th Annual Celebrating Life Breast Cancer Awareness Event! Each bracelet will be sold for $5 with all proceeds going toward the Christy Kinney Pay it Forward Fund. Offering only 40 bracelets signifies the 40 grants that have been awarded to women undergoing breast cancer treatment since the fund's inception in 2019. By purchasing a bracelet, you will be automatically entered to win a fabulous Prairie Lakes Gift Show prize basket!
If you have any questions about the Celebrating Life Breast Cancer Awareness Event, please contact Shannon B. in Marketing at 605-882-7908.
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Friday, August 25, 2023
The Prairie Lakes Grief Support Group is Back this Fall Beginning October 3rd
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Grief Support Group will begin the Fall six-week session on Tuesday, October 3rd.
Our support group offers an opportunity for those that have lost a loved one to find comfort, support, and hope. We provide a safe environment to learn about the process of grief, meet others who are dealing with losses, and share stories of your loved one. Grieving is always less painful when you know you aren’t alone.
Informal presentations from 'Understanding Your Grief' by Alan Wolfelt are used to support those grieving and offer hope as we journey forward.
The Fall session will be offered each Tuesday from October 3rd to November 14th, omitting October 31st due to Halloween. Each group meeting will run from 4:30 - 6:00 pm in the Specialty Clinic Conference Room.
The grief support group meetings are open to the community and are free of charge, but registration is required. Please RSVP here or by calling 605-882-7714.
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Thursday, August 24, 2023
Fall Back into a Healthy Lifestyle with Core4 by Sodexo - Early Bird Discounts until September 4th!
The Fall season is a perfect time to set a new, healthier routine- Classes begin Wednesday, September 13th!
Change your lifestyle, change your eating habits, change your attitude and change your life!
Effective weight management isn’t just about losing pounds. It’s about gaining a healthier, more rewarding lifestyle. During this twelve-week program, our Registered Dietitians will focus on boosting your overall health, relying on proven scientific methods to train you to improve your eating habits, lifestyle, and activity choices- for good!
The 12-Week CORE4 Schedule:
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- Week 1: Introduction
- Week 2: Individual Appointment with a Registered Dietitian
- Week 3: Behavior Modification
- Week 4: Grocery Store Tour
- Week 5: My Plate Portion Sizes and Label Reading
- Week 6: The Power of Movement
- Week 7: Meal Planning and Dining Out
- Week 8: Fat, Cholesterol and Triglycerides
- Week 9: Carbohydrates and Fiber
- Week 10: Protein, Stress, Sleep Hydration
- Week 11:Vitamins and Minerals
- Week 12: Moving On
Early-Bird Incentive: Enter promo code "Early" on/before Monday, September 4th and receive $20 off your registration fee.
There are two meeting times to choose from - one at noon and another at 5:30 pm. Each class will run for one hour and be held in the Specialty Clinic Conference Room on the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System campus.
The program is limited to 8 attendees per session, so be sure to get registered before they fill up!
To enhance your Core4 experience, we are now offering the use of the PLHS Cardiopulmonary Rehab gym with healthcare staff assistance. More information will be shared at the first Core4 class.
Body Composition Analysis (BCA)
This analysis is based on an individual’s personal information using weight, height and age. The BCA shows the composition of your body in terms of fat, muscle, and water content. This can help you concentrate on losing body fat instead of just focusing on losing pounds. A body composition analysis is completed at the beginning and the end of this 12 week program.
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Monday, August 21, 2023
Prairie Lakes Celebrates 5-Star Rating from CMS
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) recently received and celebrated an overall five out of five-star hospital rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on their Care Compare website.
“We are very proud of and grateful for all the staff that contributed to this top rating from CMS,” said Shelly Turbak, Chief Nursing Officer. “The five stars is a product of our collective and collaborative efforts, dedication, and continued focus on the Prairie Lakes mission and vision of serving our community with exceptional care every single day.”
The overall star rating for hospitals nationwide is based on how well a hospital performs across quality-of-care measures, including readmission rates and safety of care. The overall rating, between 1 and 5 stars, summarizes a variety of measures across 5 areas of quality into a single star rating for each hospital. The 5 publicly reported measure groups include: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Including Prairie Lakes, CMS awarded 481 hospitals nationwide with its top rating.
The more stars, the better a hospital performed on the available quality measures. CMS’s Care Compare website helps individuals and families decide and compare where to receive health care. Prairie Lakes achieved a four-star rating in 2022 and another five-star rating in 2021 from CMS.
About Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System serves a ten-county region in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Prairie Lakes provides care at its hospital in Watertown as well as Prairie Lakes Cancer Center, Mallard Pointe Surgical Center, dialysis units in Sisseton, SD, Watertown, SD and Ortonville, MN, rehabilitation services, and specialty services. Specialty services are a focus of PLHS to bring needed care to the region. These specialties include Cardiology, Dermatology, Ear, Nose & Throat, General Surgery, Hospice, Home Care, Nephrology, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Urology, and Wound Care. For more information, click here.
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Thursday, August 03, 2023
New Arrow Strength Program Was A Huge Success Thanks to New Strength & Coach Aaron Jung
In its first session, the Arrow Strength summer program was a huge success with 170 students participating!
The powerhouse behind this tremendously successful program is Aaron Jung, PLHS's new Strength & Conditioning Coach. Aaron joined the PLHS Sports Medicine team earlier this year and is based out of Watertown High School. He will spend the majority of his time working with various teams both at the high school and intermediary level to ensure proper strength and conditioning programs are being developed and followed in order to reduce injury and help student-athletes to reach their full potential.
As a student-athlete himself, here at Watertown High School where he graduated in 2008 and then went onto Augustana University where he was a starting defensive tackle, Aaron jumped at the opportunity to return to his hometown and create the Arrow Strength program. Aaron shared his vision and passion in the following remarks:
"The main reason the program was developed was to offer a well thought out and progressive strength and conditioning program specifically designed with the athlete in mind. The program is designed for all athletes, whether the athlete is new to training or has spent numerous years following a strength and conditioning program. The program focuses on preventing injuries in the weight room, reducing sport-related injuries, helping enhance athletic performance, and promoting confidence not only physically, but mentally as well. We also wanted to start a program that the community can trust and understand that an athlete's potential can be reached by services close to home. I have a unique passion for helping young people try and reach their goals. A lot of it stems from my time as a student-athlete myself previously in high school and college. I realized the value of a sound training program and what it can do for someone physically. However, it also instills a level of confidence that allows someone to go out and perform to their fullest potential regardless of the outcome. Now being in the strength and conditioning field for a decade, I think a community like this - one that I am very familiar with - has a lot of potential to grow and do something special."
In order to guage performance improvements, the student-athletes were offered an opportunity to participate in pre and post testing in the vertical jump, broad jump, pro-agility, and 20-yard dash. The results are listed below:
- Vertical Jump: 71% improvement
- Broad Jump: 76% improvement
- Pro-Agility (measures change of direction): 83% improvement
- 20-yard Dash: 73% improvement
We are lucky to have Aaron here, along with the entire Sports Medicine team, to provide a unique opportunity for Watertown student-athletes to improve their strength and performance.
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Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Prairie Lakes Making Progress on CCU and Kidney Dialysis Construction
CCU Bathroom TilePrairie Lakes is in month five of the CCU/Kidney Dialysis construction project. Phase one is in progress on the second floor, east wing of the patient care area to make way for relocation of the CCU (Critical Care Unit) from first floor to second floor. Once this phase is complete and the CCU is relocated, the existing CCU on the first floor will be remodeled to allow for relocation of the Kidney Dialysis Unit during phase two. All total, the remodel of these two areas will span about one year. The project is anticipated to be complete in February 2024.
The second floor east wing was previously used as an overflow patient care area and most recently as the COVID unit, that is no longer deemed necessary. Relocating the CCU to second floor will allow staff to float more easily from the Telemetry Unit, also located on second floor. CCU and Telemetry staff often work in both areas and similar monitoring devices are used in the CCU and the Telemetry unit, so it will be much more efficient to have these areas adjacent to each other.
Relocating the Kidney Dialysis Unit from fourth floor to first floor will provide a larger, modern unit and an improved experience for both patients and staff. The dialysis unit is open 6 days per week and patient’s receiving dialysis are treated 3 days per week.
The two new spaces with be a welcome change for patients and staff at Prairie Lakes.
Photos of the construction progress can be seen below:
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Friday, July 21, 2023
Prairie Lakes Sends Off Another Kidney Dialysis Patient in Celebration
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System patient, Wade Jorgenson finished his last dialysis appointment this morning after nearly four years of dialysis treatment. Prairie Lakes staff from various departments lined the lobby to celebrate Wade and his family as they prepare for live donor kidney transplant surgery.
Wade, along with his wife Tiffany and son Jeter, will be heading to the University of Minnesota for his surgery scheduled for July 25th. Wade is receiving his kidney from an anonymous 22-year-old donor after many years and several failed attempts to find a match.
The Jorgenson family brought batches of pickles and sauerkraut from The Jorgenson Kraut & Pickle Company for the Prairie Lakes staff that has provided care and support for them all these years. Wade joked that preparing the recipes has kept his mind and hands busy as he's been receiving treatment. Tiffany was previously employed as the HR Manager for Sodexo at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System which made the event that much sweeter.
We wish Wade all the best and we're sending his family all our positive vibes! More photos of the send off can be viewed below.
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Monday, July 24, 2023
Two New Members Elected to Prairie Lakes Board of Directors
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors has elected Don Roby and Doug Sharp to serve as members of the board. They will each serve a 3-year term and will bring diverse leadership experiences to the Board of Directors.
Don Roby is a 1980 graduate of Watertown High School and attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Don has worked in technology sales and marketing, technology finance, and is currently a partner in R&R Investments, LLC. Don is active in the community and serves or has served on the board of various foundations and organizations throughout his professional career in Watertown. He currently serves on the SD Transportation Commission, SD Community Foundation Board, Mount Marty University Board, and the Lake Area Technical College Strategic Advisory Committee. Don and his wife, Kelly, have three children.
Doug Sharp grew up in Watertown and graduated from South Dakota State University with his commercial Economy degree in 1981. He is the business owner of Sharp Automotive in Watertown, Schuchard Trailer and Sales, and ABRA of Brookings, SD and has been in the car business for 40 years. Doug has previously served on the Prairie Lakes Board of Directors as Board Chair and member. He has a vast background of involvement in various organizations in the community including past chair of the SD Lottery Commission, past vice chair for the SD Game, Fish and Parks, past member of the SD Building Authority, and more. Doug currently serves as Chair of the SD Community Foundation and current member of the Governors Economic Advisory Counsel. Doug and his wife, Lynn reside in Watertown and have four children
“On behalf of the Prairie Lakes Board of Directors, we are looking forward to having Don and Doug contribute their individual expertise and knowledge to the initiatives of the board. They are both highly respected leaders in the community, and we’re excited to get them orientated,” said Vince Foley, Chair of the Prairie Lakes Board of Directors.
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors comprises of volunteer community members who are dedicated to fulfilling the mission, vision and values of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, an independent, not-for-profit, regional healthcare system. Current board members are Vince Foley (Chairman), Chris Carter (Vice Chair), Scott Munger (Secretary), Mike Luken (Treasurer), Robb Peterson (Past Chairman), Alan Christensen, MD, Tammy Davis, Kristen Henderson, Jon Oviatt, Jesse Peterson, Don Roby, and Doug Sharp.
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Friday, July 21, 2023
Become a Volunteer at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation along with Home Health & Hospice coordinates a large group of volunteers each year. You see their smiling faces at the Front Desk or in the Gift Shop. They willingly help patients get around the campus and show visitors how to get to the proper department. They visit homebound patients to connect and bring them meals. We couldn't provide such excellent patient care each and every day without our volunteers.
We're currently looking to add to our current volunteer roster. If you, or anybody you know, would be interested in this rewarding experience, please contact Julie S., Volunteer Coordinator at 605-882-6702 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the Volunteer Opportunity page on our website for more information.
Hours are very flexible and we welcome volunteers of any age and ability. Volunteers generally work a 4-hour shift with most areas offering a morning and afternoon shift. Volunteers may choose to work as little as one day a month or as frequently as several days per week. Orientation and training are provided until you reach a level of comfort.
Prairie Lakes offers several benefits to volunteers, including:
- Free breakfast or lunch with each 4-hour shift worked
- Annual volunteer appreciation event
- Prairie Lakes gifts
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Thursday, July 20, 2023
USD Nursing Mobile SIM Unit Coming to PLHS
The University of South Dakota mobile simulation unit will be parked at Prairie Lakes on Monday, July 24 from 3pm-5pm. The unit is open for public tours and we encourage anyone interested in the nursing field to walk through and learn about becoming a nurse.
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Friday, July 21, 2023
Prairie Lakes Adds Physician Assistant to Urology Clinic Staff
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes licensed and board-certified Physician Assistant, Joseph Bretschneider, PA-C, to the Urology Clinic staff. He joins Dr. Henri Lanctin, Dr. Keegan Maxwell and Abby Wookey, PA-C in the expert care of patients with conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system.
Bretschneider received his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. He completed several of his clinical rotations at Brown Clinic and at Prairie Lakes. Bretschneider received his undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in chemistry from South Dakota State University in Brookings. He relocated to Watertown with his wife and two-year-old son from Tracy, MN where he served the role of a primary care provider in addition to covering their emergency department for the past seven years. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and riding motorcycle. He is an avid NASCAR fan and a classic car/hot rod enthusiast.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to specialize within my profession after spending the past several years in general practice. I look forward to getting to know patients while helping them understand and improve their urological conditions,” Bretschneider said. “Watertown is a wonderful community and my family and I are excited to be part of it.”
Prairie Lakes Urology is located at the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic in Watertown, SD. To schedule an appointment, call 605-882-7777.
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Friday, July 14, 2023
Clinical Nutrition Manager, Becky S., Earns 2023 Hero of Everyday Life Award from Sodexo
Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation announced its 2023 Heroes of Everyday Life®. Five Sodexo employees, including our own Becky S., received a $5,000 grant to continue their work to fight food insecurity within their communities.
The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation awards Sodexo employees who invest time, talent, and resources to fight hunger in their communities. These employees, recognized as Heroes of Everyday Life®, are honored for their efforts raising funds and awareness, coordinating food drives, volunteering in food pantries, and supporting food recovery programs among other outreach.
Becky shared her experience both with Sodexo and the Watertown PACH program, "I have been a Clinical Nutrition Manager with Sodexo at the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System for the last 16 years. In 2011 I became involved with the PACH (People Against Child Hunger) program. Due to my career as a registered dietitian, I was asked to plan the menus for PACH and I have been in several different roles since. From a volunteer board member to now president of the board for the last 3 years it has really allowed me to see how this program helps families in our community. During our pilot program in 2011 we were packing about 100 bags of food and this year we averaged 521 bags a week. PACH is 100% volunteer-based and I have also been honored to work with amazing board members and volunteers who share the same passion as me, stopping child hunger."
Becky also added, "In June, Sodexo held their annual Charity Classic presented by PepsiCo in Colorado Springs where they celebrated this year’s Heroes of Everyday Life. I was one of five heroes in the United States to receive this recognition." Becky and her husband earned a vacation, along with the four other 2023 Hero of Everyday Life award winners, where they were able to network, attend various festivities, and meet with national Sodexo leaders.
Families shared the following thoughts about how the local PACH program has benefitted their family:
- "It has helped my family by ensuring we have food. There have been times when it got us by until we were able to buy groceries again. This is one of the best programs this community has."
- “We struggle monthly, the PACH program has helped my kids when we were low on food."
- “This is a wonderful program. This has helped us because we don't receive food assistance. Being a single mom, money is always tight."
Thank you, Becky, for your devotion and commitment to the families in need in the region. Another incredible example of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and Sodexo employees serving as a keystone of our community. You are definitely a Hero of Everyday Life!
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Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Kidney Dialysis Patient Receives Surprise Send Off from Prairie Lakes
Prairie Lakes patient, Stacey K., alongside her husband, Dan K., walked out of her last kidney dialysis appointment on July 12th before her kidney transplant day that is scheduled for July 13. She was surprised to find Prairie Lakes staff and some of her family and friends lined up in the hospital lobby to send both Stacey and Dan off with well wishes, roses, and applause.
Earlier this year, the couple found out out that Dan's kidneys were a perfect match for Stacey and he decided he was going to be her kidney donor. It's not often that a spouse is able to give such a life saving gift, so the send off was special for both of them. The emotions and hugs being shared while Stacey and Dan walked to the door was a testament to the true care, compassion and relationships that Prairie Lakes staff develops with their patients.
Stacey and Dan's story was recently covered on Keloland News.
Well wishes for safe and successful procedures and recovery for Dan and Stacey!
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