Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Prairie Lakes Names New Director of HR
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is pleased to announce the new Director of Human Resources, Alison Gilbertson.
Gilbertson holds a Bachelors of Science Degree and a Masters of Science Degree in Health Administrative Studies. She has twenty seven years of healthcare experience; including four years as a nursing home administrator. Gilbertson has served the last seven years of her career as Executive Director of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation; and will assist Prairie Lakes through the transition and hiring her replacement. She is active in multiple organizations, including Watertown Rotary.
Gilbertson and her husband Steve were both born and raised in the area and currently reside near Badger, SD. She enjoys spending time with her family, cheering for her husband and the teams he coaches, adventuring to Disney, and volunteering at her church.
“I look forward to moving into the new Human Resources Director position to help Prairie Lakes create a culture of valuing, encouraging, and supporting our workforce,” said Gilbertson. “I leave my position at the Foundation being very grateful for the rewarding experiences, training, and relationships made. It is my goal that in this new HR position, we will recruit and retain a high performing workforce and foster a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for staff through partnerships and collaborations.”
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Monday, October 07, 2019
Girl Scouts Donate to Cancer Patients
Girl Scout Troop 40033 worked hard on their Bronze Award Project, to donate kits to patients at Prairie Lakes Cancer Center.
The Girl Scouts came up with the idea on their own when asked how they could give back to their community. They made posters to raise money to buy the supplies for the kits and donated money they had made selling nuts and cookies to make the blankets. They had enough money to put together 24 kits and 15 blankets! The kits consist of a variety of items including: Fuzzy socks, a Hat, Water bottle, Journal, Cross word puzzle book, Pens, Kleenex, Lemon drops, Lotion, Hand sanitizer and Chap stick.
Front row: Lily Shanholts, Arianna Bemis, Emma Wientjes. Back row: Nora Haughian (Cancer Center), Shauna VanDusseldorp (Cancer Center), Kaitlyn McBride, Kaylee Iverson, Christina Jongbloed, Alexa Tysdal, Tessa Danek, Taryn Koehn, Lori Kasuske (Cancer Center), and Jennifer Pletan (Cancer Center Director).
Missing: Anna Hirtz and Evelyn Schulz
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Tuesday, October 01, 2019
Top Performing Hospital for Heart Attack Treatment Featured
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is one of only 86 hospitals nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Silver Performance Achievement Award for 2019. The award recognizes Prairie Lakes’ success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients.
The Performance Achievement Award signifies the commitment of physicians, staff, and emergency responders; together we have reached an aggressive goal of treating heart attack patients to a level of care outlined by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association.
The Center for Disease Control estimates over 700,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.
Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry empowers health care provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines and establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients.
To receive the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Silver Performance Achievement Award, Prairie Lakes demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry for four consecutive quarters and performed at the top level of standards for specific performance measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to heart attack patients.
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Monday, August 26, 2019
Speech Language Pathologist Joins PLHS
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes Speech Language Pathologist, Shelly Holida to the Rehabilitation Services department. She serves outpatient, inpatient, and home health patients.
Shelly received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders and her Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of South Dakota. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, completing home remodeling projects, going for walks, camping, grilling, kayaking, scuba diving, and dog training.
"I am pleased to be a part of Prairie Lakes Rehabilitation Services and look forward to helping our community,” said Shelly. “I grew up in this area. I went to Hamlin High School and lived in Watertown for several years after graduating high school. After nearly 15 years, I am excited to move back to Watertown. I have been working as a Speech Language Pathologist for nearly 10 years and am specialized in working with adults with a wide array of needs in Speech Language Pathology.”
Speech Therapy treats disorders that affect speech, language, voice, cognition, and dysphagia (swallowing/chewing difficulties). For more information call Prairie Lakes Rehabilitation Services at 605-882-7700.
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Feuerstein Series to Feature R.J. Palacio - Postponed
Event Postponed - new date to be announced:
The 20th Annual Feuerstein Speaker Series featuring RJ Palacio scheduled for Tuesday, October 15 at Lake Area Tech is postponed due the speaker’s unexpected medical emergency. The event will be rescheduled to a later date and all tickets will be honored at that time. For questions, please contact the Lake Area Tech Foundation Office at 605-882-5284 ext 292 or the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation Office at 605-882-7631.
The Lake Area Technical Institute Foundation and the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation are excited to jointly host the 2019 Feuerstein Series event and celebrate its 20 year anniversary. The featured presenter/lecturer will be the inspiring author, graphic designer, artist and speaker R.J. Palacio. Palacio took the children’s literature world by storm with the publication of her debut novel, Wonder, a #1 New York Times best seller that has sold over 1 million copies in North American. The Feuerstein Series event will take place on Tuesday, October 15 at the Student Center at Lake Area Technical Institute, 1201 Arrow Avenue, Watertown, SD.
About the Speaker, R.J. Palacio
R.J. Palacio was an art director and graphic designer for more than 20 years, while waiting for the perfect time to start writing her own novel. When she had a chance encounter with an extraordinary child in front of an ice cream store, she realized the time had come to tell Auggie’s story through the well-known book Wonder.
In the spring of 2012, Wonder inspired a movement based on the importance of empathy and acceptance known as Choose Kind. Wonder has been the recipient of numerous starred reviews, awards and accolades. Wonder was adapted into a film starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay in 2017. Palacio travels the country speaking about the novel that has inspired countless children, educators and families. Those attending Palacio’s presentation, titled Choosing Kind/Wonder of Wonder, will leave determined to embrace the book’s theme of choosing kindness in their lives.
Palacio’s next book, the graphic novel White Bird, brings the world of Wonder to a new and thrilling format and is set to be released on October 1, 2019. This book is available for purchase through the Feuerstein event registration process.
Tickets
Early bird tickets are on sale from August 26 through October 4 for $45 each, or $35 each for a group of 10 or more (paid at the same time). If tickets remain after October 4, tickets will be $55 each with no group rates available.
Tickets will be available August 26 online or by calling the Lake Area Technical Institute Foundation at 882-5284, Ext. 292 or the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation at 882-7631. They will not be sold at the door the night of the event.
Questions
Contact the Lake Area Technical Institute Foundation at 605-882-5284, Ext. 292 or the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation at 605-882-7631.
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Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Hospital Hill Run Committee Makes Donations
Hospital Hill Run walkers and runners participated in the event to raise money for the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation’s Caring Club House and Watertown D.A.S.H.
The Caring Club House exists to meet the hospitality needs of out-of-town patients, families, and caregivers receiving services through Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Funded and furnished completely through community support and donations, the Caring Club House is a not-for-profit, community-based project of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation.
Watertown D.A.S.H. is an acronym for Drug Free, Alcohol Free, Safe and Healthy. The program empowers youth to choose healthy and positive lifestyles. The Watertown Police Department partners with others in the community to lead by example and raise the bar for youth to live safe and healthy lives.
The Hospital Hill Run committee proudly presented the Caring Club House a donation of $1,000 and Watertown D.A.S.H. a donation of $500.
Shown presenting the donations (above) are some members of the committee: Jenna Hulscher, Dr. Dan Reiffenberger, Tom Beaudry, and Jessi Eidson. Also pictured is Suellen Roby, Prairie Lakes Caring Club House Caretaker; and representing Watertown D.A.S.H.: Chief of Police Lee McPeek and Michelle Jensen.
Sponsors of the 2019 Hospital Hill Run include Brown Clinic; Prairie Lakes Healthcare System; Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics; Consulting Radiology Ltd.; Dr. Dan, Dr. Sarah, Molly, Megan and Nick Reiffenberger; Sanford Clinic – Watertown; Community Blood Bank; The Public Opinion; and Innovative Pain Clinic.
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Monday, July 29, 2019
Welcome Dr. Haque, Pathologist
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes Pathologist Farah Haque, MD. Dr. Haque will serve patients through her work in Prairie Lakes Laboratory. As a pathologist, Dr. Haque is trained to examine samples of body tissue for diagnosing conditions.
Dr. Haque is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology. She completed her residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Nassau University Medical Center in New York, and a fellowship in surgical pathology at Staten Island University Hospital in New York. She brings more than twelve years of pathology experience with trainings in GU and Breast pathology to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.
"I am pleased to be a part of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and look forward to helping our community through my service,” said Dr. Haque. “As a pathologist, I have the unique opportunity to work with physicians of every specialty, to deal with diseases of every organ system given a majority of medical decisions are based on lab results, I am eager to work with my colleagues to serve my community."
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Monday, July 15, 2019
Prairie Lakes Elects New Board Member
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors elected officers and elected a new board member at its annual meeting in May.
Officers are Chairman, Jim Redlinger of Redlinger Bros. Plumbing & Heating; Vice President, Robb Peterson of Glacial Lakes Rubber & Plastics; Secretary, Shan Kruse of Peterson Motors; Treasurer, Vince Foley of Foley and Foley Law Office; and Past Chairman, Mark Roby. New board member, Mike Luken, was elected to serve a three year term.
A Watertown native, Luken has worked in a variety of jobs; including building and selling steel grain bins, realty, farming, and starting multiple businesses. He has been involved in the community through various memberships and contributions. Currently Luken is the Village of Northridge Condo Association Board Treasurer, Watertown Municipal Utilities Board President, and Northeast Realtor Association Board Member. On a state-wide level, Luken is a Revolving Economic Development and Initiative Fund Board Member and he serves on the State of South Dakota Economic Development Finance Authority.
In his spare time, Luken can be found in the stands of sporting events like basketball. Luken knows the importance of exceptional healthcare through his personal experiences with severe asthma and surgical procedures. He looks forward to serving the greater Watertown region through his Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors membership.
“Prairie Lakes and its Board of Directors are committed to provide exceptional healthcare services to Watertown and the region. Mike will be a great addition to the board and will help lead Prairie Lakes into the future,” said K.C. DeBoer, President and CEO.
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors is comprised of 14 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 center.
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Tuesday, July 02, 2019
Home Health Named a SHPBest “Superior Performer” Featured
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is proud to announce Prairie Lakes Home Health has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “Superior Performer” for achieving an overall patient satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2018 calendar year.
The annual SHPBest™ award program was created to acknowledge home health agencies that consistently provide high quality service to their patients. The 2018 award recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall satisfaction score for more than 2,900 home health providers.
Prairie Lakes Home Health serves residents in Codington, Clark, Hamlin, Grant, Deuel, Day, and Roberts counties. Services include nursing care, therapy services, social services, and personal care.
“There are many benchmarks that measure the quality of the care and service that home health agencies provide, and one of the greatest honors is to be recognized for excelling in patient satisfaction”, said Julie Sampson, Home Health and Hospice Director. “ The Prairie Lakes Home Health staff is dedicated to caring for patients in the comfort and privacy of their homes. Their compassion and expertise make us one of the best in the nation; I am proud and grateful to work with this wonderful team.”
About Prairie Lakes Home Health
About Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP)
Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) is a leader in data analytics and benchmarking that drive daily clinical and operational decisions. Our solutions bring real-time data to post-acute providers, hospitals, and ACOs to better coordinate quality care and improve patient outcomes. Since 1996, SHP has helped more than 7,000 organizations nationwide raise the bar for healthcare performance.
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Thursday, June 20, 2019
Welcome Dr. Senne, Pulmonologist Featured
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes Pulmonologist, Svien Senne, DO. Dr. Svien Senne, lung and respiratory specialist, will see pulmonary patients at Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic.
Dr. Senne received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency training in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is moving to Watertown with his wife Tressa and their two children. He enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.
“I am blessed to have the opportunity to return to South Dakota to be a part of a skilled and compassionate team of caregivers,” said Senne. “I look forward to providing high quality, compassionate care that focuses not only on the disease process, but also on my patients’ well-being."
Dr. Senne provides his expertise in respiratory diseases and pulmonary conditions such as.
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- COPD
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Lung cancer
- Pneumonia
- Sleep apnea
- Tuberculosis
You may schedule an appointment by calling the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic at 605-882-7777. A referral is not required to schedule an appointment.
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Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Prairie Lakes Names New Director of Marketing
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is pleased to announce the new Director of Marketing, Jennifer Bender.
Bender holds an Associate’s Degree in Marketing, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, and is projected to receive her Master’s Degree in Public Health. She has eight years marketing and public relations experience, with five of those years in healthcare marketing at PLHS. Bender is active in multiple organizations, including BISCO (Business Industry School Coalition) as a member of the Board of Directors. A leader of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations, she is the past-president of the organization.
Bender currently resides in Watertown, SD with her husband, Skyler and their dog, Lizzy. In her spare time she enjoys outdoor and fitness activities, gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
“I have been witness to Prairie Lakes's great work and it makes me proud to continue my career here as the new Director of Marketing,” said Bender. “It’s an honor to be a part of this community and help others find and connect with the services they need. I look forward to collaborating with the leadership team and directing my team to keep our patients, community, and region as the focus of our endeavors.”
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Saturday, June 08, 2019
Hospital Hill Run Results
The 23rd Annual Hospital Hill Run on June 8 featured a 5K run, 5K walk and a one-mile walk for all ages. Proceeds from the Hospital Hill Run benefit the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House and Watertown DASH.
Fastest 5K male runner was Owen McElroy with a time of 19.26 minutes. Fastest 5K female runner was Tanelle Steichen with a time of 21.00 minutes.
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Wednesday, May 29, 2019
New Management of Nutritional and Environmental Services
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) and Sodexo, the provider of nutritional and environmental services at PLHS, are pleased to announce a new General Manager, Rob Haddad and a new Nutritional Services Manager, Caitlin Bach.
Rob Haddad grew up in Michigan and moved to Watertown from Virginia five years ago. He has over forty years of service industry experience; ranging from fast food to upscale restaurants. After serving PLHS and Sodexo for five years as the Nutritional Services Manager, Haddad will now oversee both Nutritional and Environmental Services.
“I look forward to the challenges this new role provides,” said Haddad. “My goal is to continue excellent service to those at Prairie Lakes for years to come.”
Caitlin Bach grew up in the area and currently resides in Florence with her husband and two children. Bach recently graduated from Lake Area Technical Institute with her marketing and business management degree and brings eleven years of food service experience at PLHS to her new role as Nutritional Services Manager. The Nutritional Service Manager oversees the operations of the Café, room service, and internal catering.
“I am excited to take this next step in my career as Nutritional Services Manager,” said Bach. “I am grateful for this opportunity to serve patients and lead nutritional staff. The staff in the Café is knowledgeable and the team looks forward to continuing our reputation of providing delicious and nutritious foods for patients and PLHS staff.”
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Wednesday, May 15, 2019
PLHS Volunteer Receives Award
Sharon Herman is a long time volunteer at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. She even helped pass out bags at the Specialty Clinic Grand Opening! The Watertown Community Foundation honored Sharon at an annual fundraiser for all of her amazing contributions to the community through the gift of her volunteered time and talents.
From the Watertown Community Foundation:Sharon Herman has been named the 2019 Watertown Adult Celebrate! Award winner. The honor was announced at the Watertown Volunteer Center’s annual fund raiser Tuesday night. In recognition of Herman’s service she is now entitled to designate a $1,000 grant from the Watertown Area Community Foundation to a local charity. Herman has volunteered 2,383 hours to various organizations in Watertown through the Watertown Volunteer Center since 2010. That’s 315 hours per year. Some of the areas she has volunteered include athletic tournaments, the lunch counter at the Farm Show even helping with Bingo at Jenkins Living Center or helping at the same-day surgery desk at Prairie Lakes Health Care Center. You can also find her at the annual Special Olympics and Senior Games either registering volunteers, recording statistics or wherever they need her. Her volunteering is a year-round job. She has stuffed packets for CVB, drove golf carts at Joy Ranch and helped children shop during the Jaycee Christmas Shopping tour and has been with Environmental Days at the Bramble Park Zoo. She was described as always smiling during her volunteering which shows how unselfish and caring, says her nominator Char Torgerson who heads the Volunteer Center.
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