The Prairie Lakes Cancer Center is celebrating 25 years of providing exceptional cancer treatment to residents of Watertown and surrounding areas in 2024. To commemorate the occasion, local business leaders and members of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce were invited into the facility to learn more about the providers, treatments, equipment, and staff that make the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center so special.

Visitors were treated to appetizers and refreshments as they made their way through a self-guided tour of the various treatment areas to get a better understanding of equipment, medication, and procedures used for specific cancer patients to best fight their individual cancer battle. Providers and staff were available to answer questions and demonstrate equipment. 

Dr. Joni Buechler, Radiation Oncologist, gave a passionate speech about the importance of having a facility so close to home for our patients as they are receiving cancer treatment. Dr. Dan Reiffenberger, Chief Medical Officer, also elaborated on how special the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center was when the facility was built in 1999.

Visitors were able to enter a drawing to win a Prairie Lakes ‘Fun in the Sun” Prize Pack and pick up other promotional items. In addition, blankets were ordered specifically for our Prairie Lakes Cancer Center patients to offer warmth and comfort as they receive their treatments.

Visuals used throughout the self-guided tour will be available to view in the Prairie Lakes Main Lobby for the remainder of the week for employees and visitors to enjoy. Next week, they will be moved back into the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center. We encourage Watertown community members to visit the facility and get a better understanding of the work being done and the care being given there.   

The most recent construction project at PLHS is the exciting upgrade happening in the Maternal Child Health unit. In fact, the focus behind this year's BASH event was to raise money in support of this effort. We checked in with Micki Cordell, Director of Maternal Child Health, to see how the project is progressing. 

Micki shared, "The remodel is going great! The painting, flooring, cabinetry, tile vanity, in-floor bathroom heat, tub surround and lighting is in. It looks just beautiful very light and cozy all at the same time. I am in the process of ordering new “dad” beds and the guys are working on the feature wall at the head of the bed today."

When asked how the remodel has effected any patients or staff, Micki added, "The first week that we started the remodel we had a very high census and we had to move OB patients over to 2^nd [floor] west. Since then, we haven’t had to do that, but we have had to utilize our three overflow rooms as well as the ER for OB checks. It has been challenging for staff to be short two rooms and trying to juggle moving patients etc. but they are all really excited. Our patients have been very understanding and flexible with the renovation and are excited to see what it will look like."

This construction project is expected to be completed in Fall 2024.

The Prairie Lakes Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic provides relief to patients suffering from either chronic rhinitis or nasal obstruction. Dr. Mancell believes care begins with listening to each patient’s needs, providing education and including the patient in the decision-making process.

VIVAER® TREATMENT 

VivAer Treatment is used to relieve nasal obstruction which causes many people to experience difficulty breathing through their nose, habitual snoring, interrupted sleep, and fatigue. Until now, finding a long-term solution often meant surgery. Now, Dr. Mancell may be able to offer you lasting relief by performing a non-invasive VivAer treatment to open your nasal airway.

Benefits of VivAer® Treatment:

• Lasting Relief. 97% of patients experienced significant improvement in nasal breathing.
• Non-invasive solution. Minimal discomfort, no incisions, and can be performed in our office.
• Live better. Clinically shown to significantly improve quality of life and provide long-lasting relief.

RHINAER® TREATMENT 

If you suffer from constant runny nose and often post-nasal drip, congestion, coughing, nasal itching, and sneezing you may have chronic rhinitis. For many patients, these symptoms may be caused by abnormal signals in the nose. Now, Dr. Mancell can offer you RhinAer to disrupt these signals and provide lasting relief. In a clinical study, patients treated with RhinAer experienced significant relief from chronic rhinitis symptoms.

Benefits of RhinAer® Treatment:

• Lasting Relief: Provides lasting relief of symptoms including runny nose, post-nasal drip, and chronic cough.
• Non-invasive solution: Minimal discomfort, no incisions, and can be performed in our office. Many patients even return to normal daily activities the same day as the procedure.
• Live better: In a clinical study, patients reported significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.

If either of these procedures sound like they could provide you with relief, call the Prairie Lakes ENT Clinic today at 605-882-7740. No referral is necessary.

For the past quarter of a century, Prairie Lakes Cancer Center has been a beacon of hope and healing for countless patients and their families in our Watertown area communities. In 1999, the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center welcomed its first patient. Today, we proudly serve over 400 new patients annually, averaging 40 patient visits each day. Our journey from a small team of one physician and nine staff members to a comprehensive care center with three employed physicians, one nurse practitioner, and 22 dedicated staff members is a testament to our commitment to excellence in cancer care.

Our Team and Integrated Approach 

Our journey began with a vision to create a center where patients could receive state-of-the-art treatment close to home, surrounded by their loved ones. This vision has guided us every step of the way, driving our efforts to combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate care. The heart of our Cancer Center is our skilled and compassionate team, which includes:

• Dr. Joni Buechler, Radiation Oncologist
• Dr. Bipin Amin and Dr. Vijay Rao, Medical Oncologists and Hematologists
• Kristina Rieffenberger, Certified Nurse Practitioner
• Oncology-certified nurses
• Radiation dosimetrist
• Social worker
• Research specialist/clinical trial coordinator
• Radiation therapists
• Dedicated office staff

Our team is further supported by a diverse group of professionals from Prairie Lakes, including pharmacists, lab technicians, registered dietitians, pastoral care providers, and business office staff. This collaborative effort ensures that each patient receives holistic, comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs.

Milestones and Innovations

Over the past 25 years, the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center has achieved numerous milestones in providing advanced cancer care. Here are some highlights of our innovative services and treatments:

• Digital PET/CT Services: Our state-of-the-art mobile imaging unit offers exceptional image quality, reduced radiation dose levels, faster scan times, and the ability to perform additional diagnostic CT exams in combination with PET scans.
• TomoTherapy: This revolutionary treatment delivery system combines the functions of a traditional radiation therapy unit and an on-board CT scanner.
• Clinical Trials: We actively participate in and continually add new clinical trials to our offerings, providing our patients with access to cutting-edge treatments soon after FDA clearance. Our proactive approach allows us to offer innovative therapies to our patients quickly.
• Advanced Therapies: We administer a variety of immunotherapies, chemotherapies, and hematology services, ensuring that our patients receive the most effective treatments available.

A Community of Care

One of the unique aspects of the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center is our close-knit team and the long-standing experience of our staff. We pride ourselves on creating personal relationships with our patients, treating them as individuals rather than numbers. This personalized approach fosters a supportive and compassionate environment, which is often not found in larger healthcare settings.

Our collaboration extends beyond our center, working with specialists across the Midwest to keep care close to home. We also integrate services from other departments within the healthcare system, including dietary support, social work, pastoral care, and rehabilitation therapies, to support patients throughout their journey.

Reaching Out to Rural Communities

To ensure that quality cancer care is accessible to our rural neighbors, we offer outreach services by visiting healthcare facilities in other cities.

• Dawson, MN
• Madison, MN
• Milbank, SD
• Montevideo, MN
• Sisseton, SD
• Webster, SD

This initiative brings our expertise and advanced treatments to patients who might otherwise face challenges in accessing specialized care.

Stories of Strength and Resilience

At the heart of Prairie Lakes Cancer Center are the inspiring stories of our patients and a special tradition of patients ringing our celebration bell, which is to mark significant milestones in their treatment journey. Their strength and resilience in the face of cancer motivate us to strive for excellence every day. From those who have celebrated remission to those who continue their brave fight, our patients are the true heroes of our story.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate this 25-year milestone, the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center remains dedicated to evolving and adopting the latest advances in technology, treatments, and clinical trials. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures that we continue to meet the diverse needs of our patients with the highest standards of care.

We invite employees and the community to join us in celebrating 25 years of dedicated service. This achievement is a shared success, made possible by the support and trust of our patients, team members, and partners. Together, we look forward to many more years of healing, hope, and innovation in cancer care.

Congratulations to the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center!

Related Stories: Watertown Community Members Welcomed to Tour Prairie Lakes Cancer Center