WATERTOWN, S.D. – January 22, 2025 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is proud to announce its inclusion in the newly constructed Castlewood Wellness Depot, bringing enhanced healthcare access to the Castlewood community.
At a special meeting on Wednesday, the Castlewood City Council approved the proposal by PLHS to lease medical office space located in the Wellness Depot building. The PLHS clinic space will offer scheduled and walk-in primary care services two half-days per week. These services will be supported by limited laboratory capabilities, ensuring prompt and convenient diagnostic testing for patients. In addition, Prairie Lakes will provide rehabilitation services two days per week, supporting various therapies and recovery for individuals in the community. Clinic operating days and hours have not yet been determined.
“We are thrilled to extend our services to Castlewood and the surrounding area,” said John Allen, President and CEO of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. “This collaboration with the Castlewood Wellness Depot emphasizes our mission to deliver high-quality, accessible care to the communities we serve.”
This expansion reflects PLHS’s ongoing commitment to addressing the evolving healthcare needs of rural communities while maintaining a patient-centered approach to care.
“The addition of PLHS will be a great service to our residents and will enhance the overall health and wellness of the community,” said Deb McEldowney, manager of the Wellness Depot, which will also feature a 24/7 fitness center and multi-purpose room.
The clinic is set to open in April 2025, following the Wellness Depot's planned opening on March 1. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System invites the Castlewood community to join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter in local healthcare.
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Due to unforeseen circumstances, the January meeting scheduled for today - January 21st has been cancelled.
For more information, or to register for next month's meeting, click the link below:
Effective Tuesday, January 21, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System will be collecting co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance from patients at time of service in an effort to educate patients on their insurance benefits and help them understand their financial responsibilities for their care. Collecting time-of-service payments aligns with common and current healthcare industry practices and includes the following:
Patients may be expected to pay a portion of their bill at time of service and are encouraged to contact their insurance companies to find out how office visits and medical services will be covered.
For patients who have Medicare insurance, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System bills services as provider-based billing, sometimes called hospital-based billing. Frequently asked questions regarding provider-based billing can be found by visiting https://www.prairielakes.com/billing-and-insurance/provider-based-billing-10870.html.
Questions regarding time-of-service payments can be directed to a Prairie Lakes Patient Account Specialist at 605-882-7887.
Wearing a mask can help stop the spread of germs that cause illness, such as Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. When someone who is sick wears a mask, it keeps the virus from spreading to others. Masks also help protect the person wearing it from breathing in germs from others.
Masks can help filter out germs, so you breathe in or breathe out fewer germs.
It is a encouraged to wear a mask for five days after being around someone with COVID-19.
Information gathered from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
WATERTOWN, S.D. – January 7, 2025 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is excited to announce the opening of Watertown’s first “Baby Café,” a breastfeeding support program, located in the Maternal Child Health family lounge on the hospital’s second floor. The first Baby Café meet up was held today, January 7.
The Prairie Lakes Baby Café is a dedicated space for pregnant and nursing parents to share tips and techniques, find support and assistance from certified lactation professionals, and connect with other moms and parents. This free program meets on a drop-in basis every Tuesday from 10:00am to 1:00pm and is open to the community, regardless of where your baby was born. Siblings, partners, and support people are also welcome.
“A Baby Café has been a goal of the Labor and Delivery team for quite some time, so we are excited to launch this program to help breastfeeding moms during what can be a very challenging time,” said Micki Cordell, Director of Maternal Child Health at Prairie Lakes. “All parents deserve a safe and comfortable space to access resources and support in their lactation journey and this is an important step in making this support accessible.”
Prairie Lakes currently has one International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and two Certified Lactation Counselors, who will be offering their expertise every week on Tuesdays during Baby Café hours from 10:00am to 1:00pm. For questions or to learn more about the Prairie Lakes Baby Café or any maternal child education, please call 605-882-7628.
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About Baby Café USA
Baby Café USA is a nationwide, non-profit organization coordinating a network of licensed U.S. Baby Cafés. Communities across the U.S. implement the Baby Café model in efforts to reduce health disparities and help mothers realize their breastfeeding goals.
Since Baby Café USA was launched in 2012, the effort has expanded to 141 Baby Café locations currently operating in 26 states.
WATERTOWN, S.D. – January 2, 2024 – Hailey and Robbie Bentley of Lake Norden, SD welcomed their new baby boy at 11:32 am on January 1, 2025. Camden Bentley is the first baby born at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in 2025 weighing 6lbs, 3oz. He has a proud big sister, Averie.First Baby of 2025 - Camden Bentley
As part of the "First Baby of the New Year" recognition, Hailey and Robbie were presented with a gift basket from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System along with the following businesses: Power 106.3 FM, Watertown Area United Way, Prairie Lakes Gift Shop, Raise the Bar Boutique, and the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce.
A total of 629 babies were delivered at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in 2024. To learn more about obstetric services, birth/new parent classes, the new breastfeeding support group and other free resources, please visit prairielakes.com/obstetrics.
The public Baby Gallery continues to be the most popular page of our website so we wanted to dig a little deeper into the new bundles of joy born in 2024:
Laboratory Automation is the use of technology and equipment to perform laboratory tasks automatically, reducing human intervention.
Lab has been planning the implementation of this new automation technology for close to a year. The complete project took 8 months to complete and involved key stakeholders from the laboratory, IT, and Quality Assurance.
Laboratory automation benefits patient care by increasing the speed and accuracy of test results, which leads to quicker diagnoses and treatment plans. It reduces human error, ensures consistent sample processing, and allows for higher throughput of tests. This ultimately translates to better patient outcomes and improves overall healthcare delivery.
PLHS decided to invest in laboratory automation to address challenges in increasing test volumes, the need to bring more testing in-house, and the desire to enhance operational efficiency. The automation aligns with the organization’s commitment to providing high quality care and staying competitive in the healthcare landscape.
What can be done to make sure your friends, neighbors, and family receive the blood they need? It’s simple – donate blood to the Community Blood Bank. To make it as convenient as possible for you to donate, we've invited the Community Blood Bank to be a part of our first annual Health & Wellness Expo on Saturday, January 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Update: All donors will receive a $15 Hy-Vee Gift Card!
Donation times are available from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Check-in will be located just inside Entrance I of the Codington County Extension Complex.
To schedule your appointment, click the link below and select an available time. You can also call Community Blood Bank at 605-331-3222.
However, if you do require care close to home, please note our holiday hours:
Christmas Eve:
Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, Cancer Center, both Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic locations, and Convenience Care will close at noon on Christmas Eve. The Prairie Lakes ENT Clinic will be closed all day.
Christmas Day:
Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, Cancer Center, ENT Clinic, both Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic locations, and Convenience Care will be closed.
New Year's Eve:
Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, Cancer Center, ENT Clinic, both Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic locations, and Convenience Care will be open for business as usual on New Year's Eve.
New Year's Day:
Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, Cancer Center, ENT Clinic, both Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic locations, and Convenience Care will be closed.
Change your lifestyle, change your eating habits, change your attitude and change your life! Classes start Tuesday, January 14th with weekly one-hour session to be offered each Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. Register on or before January 6th and receive $20 Early Bird discount.
Core4 by Sodexo is based on the principle that 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!
There are two sessions available so that you can choose which one best suits your schedule. Each class will be one hour long.
The program is limited to 10 attendees per session, so be sure to get registered soon 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 and increasing muscle mass instead of just focusing on losing pounds. A body composition analysis is completed at the beginning and the end of this 12 week program.
WATERTOWN, S.D. – December 16, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) presented a $50,000 contribution to the "Sam Off the Streets" campaign, spearheaded by Watertown Cares to support operational costs for 612 Flats, an emergency housing facility in Watertown which also provides case management for those experiencing homelessness.
PLHS initially pledged up to $25,000 in matching funds, successfully inspiring community giving alongside the Watertown Area Community Foundation’s $11,000 challenge grant. At the campaign’s conclusion, Prairie Lakes generously contributed an additional $25,000 to further strengthen this vital initiative. In total, the campaign was able to raise over $110,000 for Watertown Cares.
“The success of this campaign underscores our unwavering commitment to community health and well-being,” said John Allen, CEO of PLHS. “Emergency housing is a critical component of a healthy community, and we are proud to support this life-changing effort.”
The campaign featured Watertown Cares Board Member Sam Mooney camping in a tent for 36 hours, raising awareness about homelessness. Thanks to overwhelming community support, the campaign exceeded its goals and highlighted the collective power of local organizations working together.
"Watertown Cares is grateful for the generous contribution and partnership in this vital mission,” said Beth Lalim, Executive Director of Watertown Cares. “It will make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families facing homelessness. Together, we are building a community of care and compassion."
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System remains dedicated to fostering partnerships that address critical needs and support vulnerable populations in the Watertown region.
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Men and women of all ages are invited to visit with 30+ of our departments to gather information, enjoy educational activities, and pick up various treats and promotional items. The goal of this year's event is to provide actionable advice and information that you can put to use right away to improve the health of either yourself or your loved ones. Providers will be on hand throughout the event to connect with our community members, answer questions, and provide education on medical trends, concerns, or advancement in their area of expertise.
We have partnered with several area agencies to pull together numerous health & wellness resources within the community:
Our event will also provide a series of small-group educational seminars covering a broad range of topics.
* Schedule subject to change
Registration not required!
Prairie Lakes Maternal Child Health is excited to introduce the new Prairie Lakes Baby Café - a free and informal breastfeeding support group offering ongoing professional lactation care and intervention. The Baby Café will be available every Tuesday starting January 7th, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the MCH (Labor & Deliver) waiting area.
The Prairie Lakes Baby Café is a welcoming space for expecting and new moms to connect. They can enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages while receiving guidance from certified lactation counselors. Whether you need help with latching, baby weigh-ins, or simply want to share experiences with other moms, the Baby Café is here to support all moms on their baby journey. No appointment is necessary—just drop in!
Understanding the Benefits, Challenges, and Basics of Breastfeeding
Baby Café USA is a nationwide, non-profit organization coordinating a network of licensed U.S. Baby Cafés. Communities across the U.S. are implementing the Baby Café model in efforts to reduce health disparities and help mothers realize their breastfeeding goals.