Sunday, January 03, 2016
Welcome the First Baby of 2016
Corey Jager of Hayti welcomed her new baby girl Raelynne Kay Jager at 9:07 p.m. January 1st, weighing 7 lbs 10 oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches in length. Raelynne is the first baby to be born at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in Watertown for the 2016 year.
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Monday, November 30, 2015
PLHS Volunteer Receives Award
Dodie Chase started volunteering at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in 1998. November 18th in the presence of her family, co-volunteers, Prairie Lakes staff and friends the Volunteers of America presented Dodie with their "Caught You Making a Difference" award. We thank Dodie for making a difference in the lives of patients at Prairie Lakes for 27 years!
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Monday, December 14, 2015
Staff and Volunteers Bake for Hospice
Thank you to all Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and Sodexo staff who donated holiday goodies! Because of their kindness and generousity, 104 boxes of goodies were delivered to Prairie Lakes Home Health and Hospice patients.
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Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Holiday Donation to Cancer Center Patients
At the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center gift bags sit under the tree thanks to the Pink Ladies Dart League. The donated gift bags contain items to comfort patients; including, snacks, lotion, warm socks, water, chapstick, crossword puzzles, hand sanitizer, and tissues. The Pink Ladies are uplifting spirits of cancer patients this holiday season as a part of their mission to make a difference in the community. Since their establishment in July the Pink Ladies have raised funds for several causes through raffles and tournaments.
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Monday, November 09, 2015
Premature Birth Report Card
November is Prematurity Awareness Month® and when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on premature birth. The awareness month kicks off with the release of the Premature Birth Report Card and reports on premature births down to the county. The United States earned a "C". With a grade of "C," the United States as a whole has a long way to go in reducing our preterm birth rate. In the U.S., 1 in 10 babies is born too soon, and the preterm birth rate is higher than that of most high-income countries.
South Dakota earned a "B" grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.5% and Codington County earned a "A" grade with a preterm birth rate of 6.8%.
"The last weeks of pregnancy are crucial to a baby’s health because many vital organs, including the brain and lungs, are still developing," said Sue Dolen, Director of Obstetric Services at Prairie Lakes. "Prairie Lakes prevents preterm births in our region by reducing the numbers of early elective deliveries unless medically indicated. Prairie Lakes follows the recommendations of the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and American Hospital Association (AHA). There are firm guidelines that prevent physicians from scheduling an elective induction of labor prior to 39 completed weeks of pregnancy. Each birth case is reviewed concurrently and retrospectively with medical staff."
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Monday, November 02, 2015
Thankful for Hospice
Ileta (Dolly) Gasner experienced helpful and compassionate care provided by the Prairie Lakes Hospice Team with her mother, Thelma Peterson and again with her husband, Terrance.
“(Prairie Lakes) Hospice was good about medication (management) and moral support for the entire family,” said Dolly. “The nurses were upbeat and good natured. They made it easier to get through the difficult times. We don’t know what we would have done without Hospice.”
Reflective of her gratitude, Dolly provided a charitable donation to the Hospice Fund/Give Comfort through the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation. Her desire is for others to benefit from this service like her family has.
If you are interested in providing a gift to the Hospice program, please contact the Foundation at 882-7631. Your gift enables us to continue the very important work of Hospice by enhancing the quality of life for patients and families in the final stages of life.
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Thursday, October 29, 2015
Quilt Raffle Winner
Congratulations to Donna Zirbes of Watertown who won the beautiful handmade quilt made by Mary Donegan! Proceeds from the quilt raffle go to benefit the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House. Pictured here from left to right are Donna Zirbes, Mary Donegan and Caring Club House Caretaker Linda Page. Thank you to everyone who participated!
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Tuesday, October 13, 2015
2015 Community Value Five Star® Hospital
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System was recently recognized as a top-ranked Community Value Provider by Cleverley + Associates (Columbus, OH). Cleverley + Associates, a leading healthcare financial consulting firm specializing in operational benchmarking and performance enhancement strategies, released the findings as part of its new publication: State of the Hospital Industry - 2015 Edition.
“For a second time we are honored to be named a Community Value Five Star® hospital,” said Jill Fuller, CEO of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. “We strive to provide high quality, affordable and compassionate healthcare to people living in Watertown and surrounding communities. This award exemplifies the work we do daily to not only provide the best healthcare and specialty services to the region, but to do so while remaining financially strong and investing in our infrastructure, the continuum of care, and the communities we serve.”
For the twelfth year, the 2015 State of the Hospital Industry reports an exclusive measure developed by Cleverley + Associates: the Community Value Index® (CVI). The CVI is a proprietary index created to offer a measure of the value that a hospital provides to its community. The book outlines the data used to calculate the CVI as well as provides a list of the Top 100 and all Five-Star (top quintile) hospitals.
“The topic of hospital value is increasingly being discussed. Issues of pricing and community benefit have been well-publicized but little has been offered to measure the broad scope of value,” adds James Cleverley, co-author. “In response, the Community Value Index® was created to provide an assessment of a hospital’s performance in four areas: financial strength and reinvestment, cost of care, pricing, and quality. Fundamentally, the CVI suggests that a hospital provides value to the community when it is financially viable, is appropriately reinvesting back into the facility, maintains a low cost structure, has reasonable charges, and provides high quality care to patients.”
ABOUT CLEVERLEY + ASSOCIATES
Cleverley + Associates is a Columbus, Ohio-based healthcare data and consulting services firm specializing in custom data analyses and reporting for healthcare providers, consultants, and vendors. The company’s primary focus is to provide healthcare providers with solutions and recommendations that will enhance their financial performance through better pricing decisions; improved coding, capital restructuring, cost and productivity enhancements; and/or investment management changes. For more information, call Cleverley + Associates at 888-779-5663 or visit www.cleverleyassociates.com.
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Monday, October 05, 2015
Welcome Dr. Addo, Medical Oncologist
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes Ferdinand E. K. Addo, MD, oncologist and hematologist. He joins staff at the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center; including, Bipin Amin, MD, Jeffrey Brindle, MD, and Kristina Rieffenberger, CNP.
Dr. Addo is board certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He served patients in Bismarck, N.D. for over twenty five years. The Prairie Lakes Cancer Center welcomes his extensive oncology and hematology experience.
“My approach to care is personable and patient focused,” said Dr. Addo. “I am committed to providing high quality cancer care in a community setting.”
Dr. Addo received his medical degree from University of Ghana Medical School in Legon, Accra, Ghana. He completed residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. and completed fellowships in both oncology and hematology at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
You may schedule an appointment with Dr. Addo by calling the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center at 605-882-6800. A referral is not required to schedule an appointment.
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Monday, September 14, 2015
The Coffee Cup’s Donation Warms Spirits
The Coffee Cup Fuel Stop near Summit, South Dakota is a strong supporter of patients at the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center.
In 2014, Caribou Coffee inside the Coffee Cup Fuel Stop raised 37 pounds to donate to cancer patients. Now that cold weather is coming soon, Caribou Coffee raised the bar and donated 40 pounds of their smoothest blend, La minita Peaberry, and coffee making supplies.
The donation is valued around $1,200 worth of coffee. A 1 lb. bag of La minita Peaberry usually cost about $21.99. Caribou Coffee, local businesses, community members and Caribou Coffee employees supported the cause to bring gourmet coffee to cancer patients.
La minita Peaberry is a silky pure light roast with cherry like flavor, notes of sweet milk chocolate and a smooth nutty finish. Most coffee cherries develop two seeds. Only around 7% of all the coffee in the world develops just one seed, resulting in this coffee's concentrated favors. These one seeded coffee cherries are called a pea berry.
“This is one of my personal favorites and I want to thank everyone who helped contribute to this wonderful cause,” said Caribou Coffee Manager, Joshua Simpson. “I encourage anyone who wants to make a contribution that it will make a definite impact with our upcoming fall donation.”
Watch this story on KSFY here: http://www.ksfy.com/home/headlines/Caribou-Coffee-Donates-to-Cancer-Center---328439981.html
Purchasing Amy’s Blend at any Caribou Coffee in October will benefit CancerCare. CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization committed to helping people cope with cancer through counseling, support, education, and financial assistance. Caribou Coffee on Highway 81 in Watertown and Caribou Coffee in Summit are holding separate fundraisers of coffee for the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center; in addition to the chain’s promotion.
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Monday, August 31, 2015
Hospital Hill Run Donation to the Caring Club House
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System held the 19th Annual Hospital Hill Run. Approximately 106 runners and 84 walkers participated to raise money for the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House, a service of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation. Two thousand dollars was generously donated to the Caring Club House, located on Prairie Lakes’ campus in Watertown, SD. Shown presenting the check are members of the Hospital Hill Run Committee: Tom Beaudry, Dr. Dan Reiffenberger, Barb McBrien and Kris Munger. Gratefully accepting this donation are Alison Gilbertson, Executive Director of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation and Linda Page, Caring Club House Caretaker.
The Prairie Lakes Caring Club House exists to meet the hospitality needs of out-of-town patients, families and caregivers who receive services through Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. As Prairie Lakes grows as a regional medical center more people come to Watertown for their healthcare needs. As part of our mission to provide compassionate care, we are proud to offer his special home to help ease the burdens individuals may face during a medical experience. Volunteers assist guests daily at the Caring Club House; approximately 1,000 guests are served each year.
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, with support from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Annual operating costs of the Caring Club House are $17,000. All contributions of time, materials and monetary donations are welcome and extremely appreciated. Gifts are tax deductible. To learn more about how you can help, please call the Foundation office at 605-882-7631.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2015
3rd Consecutive Awarded Year
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has received the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Platinum Performance Achievement Award for the third consecutive year.
The Center of Disease Control estimates that over 700,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. This award recognizes Prairie Lakes’ commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. The American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association commend Prairie Lakes Healthcare System for reaching an aggressive goal of treating these patients to levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.
“We are honored to receive this award for the third consecutive year,” said Jill Fuller, President and CEO of Prairie Lakes. “This award recognizes the quality of our doctors and staff. Heart services in Watertown meet the highest, national standards of care.”
To receive the ACTION Registry–GWTG Platinum Performance Achievement Award, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System consistently followed the treatment guidelines in the ACTION Registry–GWTG Premier for eight consecutive quarters and met a performance standard of 90 percent 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.
“To receive this award for a third year in row is a great achievement for Prairie Lakes," said Leah Le, Cath Lab Director. “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of the staff who care for some of our most critically ill patients and their families. To continue to meet these guidelines requires the coordination of emergency personnel and our cardiovascular team and is crucial in saving lives and improving outcomes of heart attack patients.”
ACTION Registry–GWTG is a partnership between the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association with partnering support from the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Prairie Lakes Welcomes General Surgeon to New Clinic
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes general surgeon, Dr. Kendra Kamlitz. Dr. Kamlitz is the first physician to join the new Prairie Lakes General Surgery Clinic located at Mallard Pointe. She will diagnose and treat common conditions at the clinic; such as, gall bladder disorders, hernias, breast diseases, thyroid diseases, colon cancer screening and treatment, dialysis access and gastroesophageal reflux.
New procedures to Watertown will be performed by Dr. Kamlitz, including breast conservation surgery for breast cancer. Inpatient and same day procedures will be performed by Dr. Kamlitz at the hospital; in addition to, seeing patients at the General Surgery Clinic.
“I am excited to promote and expand general surgery services in Watertown and the region,” said Dr. Kamlitz. “One of my goals is to increase colonoscopy availability for the area. It is the best way to detect and treat colon cancer and lesions that may become cancer. I’m happy to be back in the Dakotas. Watertown is such a wonderful community close to where I grew up.”
Dr. Kamlitz received her medical degree from University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks, ND. She completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of Kansas in Wichita, KS.
You may schedule an appointment with Dr. Kamlitz by calling the Prairie Lakes General Surgery Clinic at 605-882-6850 or toll-free at 844-440-0740. A referral is not required to schedule an appointment.
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Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Leadercast 2015 Summary
Leadercast: Inspiring Watertown, 2015 Draws “The Brave Ones”
Leadercast: Inspiring Watertown, 2015 was brought to the region as a re-broadcast event on August 4, 2015. Leadercast is an annual event, broadcast LIVE from Atlanta, GA to sites all over the nation and internationally. The annual agenda of the event is to develop great leaders by providing tools and inspiration.
Leadercast was hosted by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation; with extreme appreciation of the sponsors of the event: Gold Sponsor: Prairie Lakes Healthcare System; Silver Sponsors: CliftonLarsonAllen, KXLG Radio, National American University and Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce; Bronze Sponsors: Hy-Vee, Lindsay Gilmour and Moffatt Products; and another donation by Chris Wookey with AFLAC.
Leadercast’s theme this year was “The Brave Ones”, as featured speakers Andy Stanley, Rudy Giuliani, Peyton Manning and more delivered a message to 85 attendees in Watertown of how to be brave and bold in their leadership styles by standing firm, embracing risk and being innovative.
Developing great leaders in our region creates an understanding of the need for cooperativeness and innovation to keep Prairie Lakes Healthcare System independently strong and financially stable. Such efforts help Prairie Lakes help more patients, expand facilities, acquire cutting-edge equipment and attract top medical professionals.
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation believes healthcare is a vital component of a community’s quality of life. Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation exists to raise funds with which to support the advancement of healthcare services through Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. To learn how you can impact quality healthcare in our region, call the Foundation at 882-7631.
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