Together we celebrate with staff, volunteers, physicians, and board members our team's success in earning a five out of five star facility rating from Hospital Compare a service of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Over 800 team members serve the region through their work and volunteerism,” said K.C. DeBoer, President & CEO. “As the independent leader in rural healthcare in this region, I thank every one of our team members for their passion and dedication to deliver quality care for every patient, every time. Prairie Lakes is committed to making a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities we serve, and this rating from CMS shows that our team is providing the best care possible.”

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the overall star rating for hospitals summarizes quality information on important topics, like readmissions and deaths after heart attacks or pneumonia. The overall rating, between 1 and 5 stars, summarizes a variety of measures across 7 areas of quality into a single star rating for each hospital. The 7 measure groups include:

• Mortality

• Safety of care

• Readmission

• Patient experience

• Effectiveness of care

• Timeliness of care

• Efficient use of medical imaging

The overall rating shows how well each hospital performed on an identified set of quality measures compared to other hospitals in the U.S. The more stars, the better a hospital performed on the available quality measures.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System serves a ten county region in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota with a mission to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities we serve.

The City of Watertown is working with Prairie Lakes Healthcare System to ensure access to our facility remains available throughout the 10th Ave NW construction project this summer. The project is currently scheduled to begin on April 19.

As you can see in the detour map below, drivers will be directed to use 9^th Ave NW if they want to access Prairie Lakes Healthcare System’s main campus from Highway 81. Drivers coming from Highway 20 and using 10^th Ave NW will follow signage directing them to their appropriate entrance. Patients accessing the east/ER entrance and Cancer Center will be directed straight through an access path to the parking lot entrance. The road will be blocked before 3^rd St; therefore, patients needing to access the main, Specialty Clinic, and Sanford Clinic entrances will be directed to go south on Skyline to access the campus just south of Sanford Clinic. 

View the detoured traffic map:  pdf 10th Ave Construction 2021 Prairie Lakes Access Map 04 08 2021 (341 KB)

View the large-scale detour map:

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) was recently named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this 11th annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX®.

PLHS scored in the top 100 of rural and community hospitals on iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength INDEX®. The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive rating of rural providers. Hospitals recognized as a Top 100 facility scored in the top 100 among all rural and community hospitals nationally.

“This honor represents the dedication and quality of work of our board, medical staff, and employees,” said K.C. DeBoer, PLHS President & CEO. “It is very gratifying for PLHS to receive the designation of a Top 100 hospital for the sixth consecutive year; it is a testament of our connection to our community and unwavering dedication to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities we serve.”

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is proud to announce the recent addition of physical, occupational, and speech therapists to Rehabilitation Services. Mariko Oro, Speech-Language Pathologist, Haley Rowland, Physical Therapist, and Tyler Rowland, Occupational Therapist.

Oro grew up in New York and moved to the area from Washington with her husband and two sons. She is a first generation American born and has an interest in foreign languages, tap dance, and practicing karate with her sons. Her career in Speech Pathology started twenty years ago after graduating with her Master of Science degree from Columbia University. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Oro treats and cares for patients with disorders that affect speech, cognition, voice, and swallowing.

 “I am very happy to be a part of Prairie Lakes,” said Oro. “I can easily treat patients here the way I would treat my own family and the interdisciplinary communication with staff of this independent hospital is effective. When I come to work, I know I will enjoy seeing my patients and interacting with the others who are part of their medical team. The best part about working here is that everyone is very friendly and really enjoy being here. I have never felt more welcome than I do here.”

Haley Rowland grew up in a small town in Nevada and learned about Prairie Lakes Healthcare System during a clinical rotation as a student at the University of South Dakota. She enjoys tennis and played varsity while obtaining her undergraduate degree at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. As a Physical Therapist, Rowland focuses on the development of gross motor skills, functional mobility, strength, and balance of patients. She serves in the inpatient area of the hospital and has a special interest in women’s health, such as incontinence after childbirth.

“During clinical rotations, I loved the Watertown area so much that I decided to make Watertown my home,” said Haley Rowland. “I was able to see first-hand how the Prairie Lakes team frequently goes above and beyond for every patient. I am so lucky to be part of such a great team of providers!”

Tyler Rowland grew up in Watertown and enjoys swimming, watching football with family, and playing video games. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with his Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree. As an Occupational Therapist, Rowland develops personalized treatment plans to help increase strength, endurance, flexibility and independence.  These treatment plans helps individuals of all ages regain the ability to return to an active lifestyle.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the community I grew up and look forward to continuing to enhance my patient care in this area over the years to come,” said Tyler Rowland.

Prairie Lakes Rehabilitation Services