Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Prairie Lakes Names New Director of Cardiology Service Line
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce Erika Bluel as the new Director of Cardiology Service Line. Bluel oversees the Cardiology Clinic in the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, the Cardiac Cath Lab, and the Cardiac Rehab department.
Bluel grew up in Loveland, CO and earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Adams State University in Alamosa, CO and her master’s degree in Nursing in Healthcare Administration and Leadership from Capella University. She has eight years of nursing experience and first learned of Watertown, SD in 2020 when she was a travel nurse assigned to the Cardiac Cath Lab at Prairie Lakes. She quickly fell in love with the area. After her six-month long assignment, she continued to travel to nearby locations, but ended up moving to Watertown permanently one year ago. In her spare time, if she’s not coaching competitive cheerleading, you can find Erika working on DIY projects or enjoying the outdoors.
“I have always been drawn to Cardiology and I am excited to lead the heart care teams here at Prairie Lakes,” said Bluel. “The heart services and facilities that are available at Prairie Lakes are very impressive. I look forward to contributing my skills and experience to continue the momentum of the Cardiology program to provide the best care possible for the patients in our region.”
Learn More About Prairie Lakes Cardiology
Bluel replaces Leah Le, who was the Director of Cardiology for the past 10 years. Leah is transitioning to the Director of Specialty Clinics, which includes ENT, Dermatology, Nephrology, Pulmonology, Urology, General Surgery, Outreach Clinics, and Central Scheduling. Katie Mages, who previously oversaw the Specialty Clinics and has been a Director within the organization for the past 8 years, is transitioning to Director of Clinic Revenue Cycle.
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Thursday, January 26, 2023
PLHS Providers Will be Leading Classes at the 78th Annual Winter Farm Show
The 78th Annual Watertown Winter Farm Show is taking place at the Watertown Extension Expo and Fieldhouse Wednesday, February 8th through Saturday, February 11th. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is excited to once again participate in educational sessions led by our providers. Each session will be held in the Codington County Extension Building:
Class Schedule
Wednesday, February 8th
11:00 a.m.: "Are You at Risk for Heart Disease" by Jacklyn Karli, DNP, Cardiology (Classroom B)
12:00 p.m.: "The Start to Stop Smoking" by Jessica Winterboer, RT, Respiratory Therapy (Classroom B)
Thursday, Febraury 9th
11:00 a.m.: "Portion Control & Reading Labels" by Megan Block, RD, Sodexo (Classroom C)
12:00 p.m.: "When Should I See a Dermatologist?" by Abby Geitzen, PA-C, Dermatology (Classroom B)
Friday, February 10th
11:00 a.m.: "Farmer's Tan... What to Look For" by Dr. Smith, Dermatologist (Classroom B)
12:00 p.m.: "Understanding Farmer's Lung" by Dr. Senne, Pulmonologist (Classroom B)
1:00 p.m.: "Know Pain, Know Gain" by Eric Fjeldheim, PT, Rehab Services (Classroom B)
In addition, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System will have a booth in the Fieldhouse which is open daily from 9 am -4 pm! We are offering free blood pressures, providers and services information, and visitors can spin the wheel for a chance to win a prize.
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Friday, January 27, 2023
Prairie Lakes Names New Director of Human Resources
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce the new Director of Human Resources (HR), Sarah Bruning. She replaces Alison Gilbertson who was recently appointed to the Vice President of Human Resources at Prairie Lakes.
Bruning holds a master’s degree in Business Administration that she earned from the University of South Dakota. She has been with Prairie Lakes for the past six years serving as an accountant for three years and most recently as the Payroll and Benefits Specialist within the HR Department. Bruning worked as the Clinic Administrator at Prairie Eye Clinic in Vermillion, SD for 17 years prior to coming to Prairie Lakes.
Bruning grew up in Watertown and after 23 years of residing in Vermillion, returned to Watertown with her husband, Scott and their family. She enjoys spending time with her daughters, Lexie and Miley, and filling her camper with things Scott doesn’t think they need.
“I look forward to leading the HR team to provide exceptional support, resources, and benefits to the employees and future employees of Prairie Lakes,” said Bruning. “It is my goal to improve internal processes, recruit and retain a valuable workforce, cultivate a positive working environment, and make Prairie Lakes the healthcare employer of choice in the area.”
To view the list of current job openings at Prairie Lakes, please visit, www.prairielakes.com/careers.
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Monday, January 23, 2023
Prairie Lakes Dermatology Expands Service Area to Brookings, SD
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce that Prairie Lakes Dermatology is now providing outreach to Sanford Health Brookings Clinic in Brookings, SD. Prairie Lakes Dermatology specialists see patients at this location twice per month.
With a goal of providing exceptional health care services that are close to home so patients don’t have to travel far for appointments to see a specialist, Prairie Lakes provides specialty care to other community healthcare facilities where needed. In addition to seeing patients at the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic in Watertown and Sanford Health Brookings Clinic, Dermatology providers also provide outreach services to Huron and Milbank.
Prairie Lakes Dermatology specialists, Dr. Jeffrey Smith and Abby Gietzen, PA-C, specialize in general dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetic and laser treatments, and contact dermatitis. They offer advanced treatment and procedure options that are personalized to address simple or complex skin conditions.
To schedule an appointment with Prairie Lakes Dermatology at Sanford Health Brookings Clinic, please call 605-882-6861.
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Friday, January 13, 2023
Ladies Night Out 2023 Registration is Now Open Featured
Join author Leslie Morgan Steiner and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in person on Friday, February 24th for our Ladies Night Out event at the Watertown Event Center.
We will have providers on-hand for educational break-out sessions covering topics such as Cognition, Acid Reflux, Breast Health, Pelvic Health, and Pain Neuroscience. In addition, we will have informative and interactive booths set up throughout the Event Center showcasing our various health services ranging from Cardiology, Dermatology, ENT, and more.
Breakout Session Schedule
4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
- "Mindful Eating" by Mallory Pruitt, RD (Nutritional Services)
- "Acid Reflux" by Dr. Jacob Schaeffer (General Surgery)
- "Kidney Health & You" by Stefanie Roby, PA-C (Nephrology)
- "Tapping Into Nature's Pharmacy" by Eric Fjeldheim, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)
5:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.
- "Mindfulness and Stress Management" by Todd Hodenfield, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)
- "Breast Services" by Dr. Greg Gerrish (General Surgery)
- "Carpal Tunnel & Trigger Finger" by Dr. Casey Johnston (Orthopedics)
- "Thinking about Thinking" by Kirsten Blackwell, SLP (Rehabilitation Services)
5:30 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
- "Mindful Eating" by Mallory Pruitt, RD (Nutritional Services)
- "Health Screenings" by Kari Fleming, PA-C (General Surgery)
- "Carpal Tunnel & Trigger Finger" by Dr. Casey Johnston (Orthopedics)
- "Tapping Into Nature's Pharmacy" by Eric Fjeldheim, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)
6:00 p.m. - 6:20 p.m.
- "Mindfulness and Stress Management" by Todd Hodenfield, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)
- "Breast Services" by Dr. Greg Gerrish (General Surgery)
- "Coronary Artery Disease" by Dr. Kalaga (Cardiology)
- "Promoting Health & Wellness for your Pelvis" by Haley Rowland, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)
The featured message is, Think Health, by Leslie Morgan Steiner. Drawing the connection between your mental and physical health, stress management, and the importance of self-care.
More about the keynote: Leslie Morgan Steiner is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Crazy Love; the critically acclaimed anthology Mommy Wars: Stay-at-Home and Career Moms Face Off on Their Choices, Their Lives, Their Families; The Baby Chase: How Surrogacy is Transforming the American Family; and her latest memoir, The Naked Truth, which explores female sexuality, self-esteem, and dating after 50. She holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard College and an MBA from Wharton business school. Her TEDTalks about domestic violence and the ethics of global surrogacy have been viewed by over seven million people. Visit her at www.lesliebooks.com.
Event Details
Schedule of Events:
- 4:00 pm - Doors Open
- 4:30 - 6:30 pm - Educational Break-out Sessions and Interactive Booths
- 5:00 - 6:30 pm - Light Appetizers Served in the Grand Ballroom
- 6:55 pm - Program Begins with a Welcome Message
- 7:00 pm - Keynote address: Think Health!
- 8:00 pm - Door prizes announced and close of the event
The first 400 adults to RSVP by February 10th at noon will receive a complimentary welcome gift!
In addition, just by signing up for Ladies Night Out 2023, you will be entered to win a chance for a stylish, designer backpack! You must be present at the event in order to win- the prize will not be mailed.
NOTE: By registering for Ladies Night Out 2023, you give us permission to use any photographs we may capture of you for our own marketing purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the registration desk know upon check-in.
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Thursday, January 05, 2023
Blood Drive at Prairie Lakes Speciality Clinic on January 16th
Provide hope and impact local lives in our community!
The Blood Mobile will be parked outside of the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. on Monday, January 16th.
As a blood donor, you are participating in a vital community service to ensure the Community Blood Bank can meet the needs of patients within our community. 8 out of 10 of us will require blood or blood products in our lifetime - this is your opportunity to give back to others in need today. 550 units of blood are needed every week to meet the needs of our local hospitals so it is imperative that anyone who is able to donate blood does so.
Update: Community Blood Bank will be randomly drawing winners from the list of donors to receive a $25 Hy-Vee gift card!
Donation times are available from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Check-in is in the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic main lobby.
Guidelines to Donate:
- Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org) weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good general health.
- Donors exhibiting cold or flu symptoms are unable to donate.
- Valid identification is required at the time of registration.
- It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating blood. Avoid energy drinks.
- Online sign-up is preferred to help with social distancing
- Walk-ins will be accepted, if there is room or a cancellation – staff on event day will manage this process
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Tuesday, January 03, 2023
Prairie Lakes Welcomes the 1st Baby Born in 2023
Casey and Erica Kneebone of Watertown, SD welcomed their new baby boy at 5:23pm on January 2, 2023. Clyde Russell Kneebone is 18.5” inches long and 5 pounds 15.4 ounces. He is the first baby born at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in 2023. Proud older siblings include Calvin Kneebone, Natalee Blauer, and Dalton Blauer. Grandparents of Clyde are Bill and Joni Peyton of Watertown and Russell and Barb Kneebone of Flandreau, SD.
Prairie Lakes Obstetrics delivered a total of 637 babies in 2022. To learn more about birth/new parent classes and other free education and resources, please visit our Obstetrics page.
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Thursday, December 29, 2022
Prairie Lakes Welcomed 13 New Providers and Therapists in 2022
As 2022 comes to an end and we ring in a new year, we reflect on the past year and are pleased to have welcomed 4 new physicians, 5 new advanced practice providers, and 4 new therapists to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in the last 12 months. This demonstrates our commitment to providing exceptional care every day. Get to know some of the newest members of the Prairie Lakes team by clicking their profiles below.
New Physicians
New Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)
New Therapy Providers
Vertigo and Decreased Balance
Oncology Rehabilitation
Treatment of the upper extremity (shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand)
Occupational Health
We are pleased to have welcomed these new faces to the Prairie Lakes family and are proud that these medical professionals chose the Watertown region not only to join this community, but to care for this community.
In addition, Prairie Lakes added five Orthopedic Specialists to the team when Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics became Prairie Lakes Orthopedics in August 2022. Although these providers have been performing procedures and surgeries at Prairie Lakes for many years, they officially became providers under the Prairie Lakes name this past year.
Our Orthopedic Specialists
Other Provider Updates in 2022
- Haley Ellis, CNP, moved to the Pulmonology Clinic from the Cardiology Clinic.
- Jacklyn Karli, DNP, in Cardiology completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice, which is the highest degree of educational training in the nursing profession.
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Friday, December 23, 2022
Pediatric Patients Received a Surprise from Toys for Tots!
Randy Winge, along with a couple of friends from Watertown Toys for Tots, stopped by PLHS to deliver toys for children that are hospitalized during the holidays.
Randy, Ben Pahl, and Kirk Schamens are all in the local Marine Corp League that spends most of the year working to gather toy donations from generous businesses and individuals in order to support families throughout the region during the holidays. To date, they have delivered gifts to 176 families in the Watertown area this year.
Region 5 of the Marine Toys for Tots organization has been operating in Watertown for 15 years. Any family is eligible to receive gifts by registering online. There is also an opportunity to contribute financially or donate a gift.
Click Here to Register or Donate
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity is the fundraising, funding, and support organization for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps and provides support in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, who directs the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991.
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted
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Friday, December 16, 2022
New Director of Dialysis Named
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System named Jan Hansen as the new Director of Dialysis for the Watertown, Sisseton, and Ortonville Kidney Dialysis Units. Hansen oversees the staff and dialysis services provided by Prairie Lakes. Dialysis is a treatment, often required multiple times per week, that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly.
Hansen has more than 20 years of nursing experience with eight of them being in dialysis and five of them being in leadership roles. Hansen grew up in Mitchell, SD, and graduated with her associate’s degree in nursing from Dakota Wesleyan University and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from South Dakota State University. Hansen enjoys spending time with her husband, Chad and two children, Tanner and Corbin. In her spare time, she enjoys flower gardening, crafting, baking, and reading.
“I look forward to leading the kidney dialysis units at Prairie Lakes to continue meeting the crucial needs of the dialysis patients in our region,” said Hansen. “These patients rely on our dialysis units to keep their bodies functioning and we are dedicated to providing exceptional dialysis care every day.”
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Friday, December 16, 2022
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Receives Notice of Third-Party Vendor’s Data Security Incident
On or about October 18, 2022, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (“PLHS”) was notified that its business associate and collections vendor, AAA Collections, Inc. dba Advanced Asset Alliance (“AAA”), experienced a data incident which may have resulted in the inadvertent exposure of personal and medical information of current and former PLHS and former Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics patients. Although this incident did not occur within PLHS data systems, PLHS has worked diligently with AAA to determine exactly what happened and what information was involved as a result of this incident.
AAA commenced a third-party forensic investigation and determined the incident occurred between September 5, 2022 and September 7, 2022. The potentially compromised data of current and former PLHS and former Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics patients may have contained personal and medical information including, but potentially not limited to: names; addresses; dates of birth; medical record numbers; provider or facility name; conditions, diagnosis and/or treatment information; payment information; and date of service. As of this writing, there there have been no reports of related misuse, identity theft or fraud since the date of the incident.
AAA mailed notification letters to affected PLHS current and former patients along with Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics patients on December 15, 2022. The letters included additional information about what occurred, outlined the specific personal information that could have been exposed for that individual, and provided a toll-free number that individuals can call to learn more about the incident. The call center can be reached at 1-833-896-5845 and is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Eastern time.
PLHS is committed to ensuring the security and protection of patient information within its control and is working with AAA to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future. PLHS understands the inconvenience or concern that this matter may cause and encourages affected individuals to remain vigilant, monitor accounts, and immediately report any suspicious activity or suspected misuse of personal information.
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Thursday, December 15, 2022
Prairie Lakes Clinic Closures Due to Weather
Due to inclement and impending weather, the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, Cancer Center, ENT Clinic at Mallard Pointe, Cardiac Rehab, and Wound Clinic will be closing today, December 15th at 4:00pm and will be opening at 10:00am tomorrow, December 16th.
Home Care and Hospice Services will be provided where deemed safe.
We encourage you to stay indoors and keep off the roads if possible.
Tips to stay safe indoors during winter storms
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Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic Closing Due to Weather
Due to inclement weather, the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, Cancer Center, ENT Clinic at Mallard Pointe, Cardiac Rehab, and Wound Clinic will be closing today, December 13th at noon and will be closed tomorrow, December 14th. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.
Home Care and Hospice Services will be provided where deemed safe.
We encourage you to stay indoors and keep off the roads if possible.
Tips to stay safe indoors during winter storms
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Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Sharing the Spirit - Free Rooms for Patient Families
Free Rooms for Families of Local Patients
My Place Hotel and Quality Inn & Suites in Watertown are providing free rooms for out-of-town families visiting their loved ones in nursing homes, hospitals, and treatment centers on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
There are a limited number of rooms available. Please make advance reservations if possible by contacting the hotel directly. My Place Hotel - Watertown can be reached at 605-878-3133. Quality Inn & Suites can be reached at 605-886-3010.
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We can help you find a doctor. Call 605-882-7000 or search online.