The Blood Mobile will be parked outside of the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. on Monday, May 6th!

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.

Update: All donors will receive a $10 gift certificate to Dairy Queen!

Ten reasons why you should give blood:

1. You can save up to 3 lives!
2. Not everyone is eligible to donate blood. Only 38% of the population can donate, so if you're able, you are a selected minority.
3. Your body will make new blood. It takes about 24 hours to replace plasma and about 4-6 weeks to replace red blood cells.
4. Giving blood is not painful. You may feel a slight prick initially but it doesn't last long.
5. Donating blood burns calories! Your body will burn approximately 650 calories just by donating.
6. You get a free well-check. Before you give, the phlebotomist will check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin levels. You may also be screened by HIV, Hepatitis, and other diseases. 
7. It takes only 30 to 40 minutes of your time.
8. You feel a boost in confidence and your emotional well-being knowing that you have done a good deel and are a part of saving lives.
9. There is no substitute for human blood. Blood can not be manufactured in any way and it always in high demand.
10. You may be one of the 25% of people who need blood donation one day. 

Donation times are available from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Check-in is in the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic main lobby.    

To schedule your appointment, click the link below and select an available time. You can also call Community Blood Bank at 605-331-3222.

  Sign Up Here

• Blood donors must be at least 16 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org) weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good general health.
• Donors exhibiting COVID, cold or flu symptoms are unable to donate. 
• Valid identification is required at the time of registration. 
• It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating blood. Avoid energy drinks.
• Walk-ins will be accepted, if there is room or a cancellation – staff on event day will manage this process

Download Blood Drive Poster

On Friday April 26^th and Saturday April 27^th, nearly 50 surgical technologists from all across the state of South Dakota travelled to Watertown to attend the Association of Surgical Technologists’ South Dakota State Assembly Spring 2024 Conference held at Lake Area Technical College. This conference allows surgical technologists to network with others in the area, attend workshops and educational programs, and listen to multiple speakers from the area. Speakers included: Austin Dale CRNA, Dr. Eric Woolley, Dr. Keegan Maxwell, Dr. Svien Senne, Dr. Ellen Hopper, Dr. Nicholas Harms, Dr. Dalton McDaniel, Dr. Gregory Gerrish, and Wesley Grantham from Stryker. All attendees received 9 CE (continuing education) credits by attending the conference. 

Stacey Vande Zande, CSFA, from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System organized the event, stating, “The SDSA AST Conference is a great opportunity for surgical techs to not only fulfill continuing education requirements, but also provide networking opportunities and the chance to learn about the latest and greatest surgical techniques.”

The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) was established in 1969 with the mission of ensuring quality patient care.

Today, AST is proud to acknowledge more than 55,000 members and represents the interests of more than 80,000 practitioners nationwide. AST actively promotes education for the profession; legislatively advocates for practitioner recognition; supports state-level constituent organizations; and has committed to students as the future of the profession.

As the oldest and most widely recognized professional organizations for surgical technologists, AST's primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists possess the knowledge and skill sets to administer the highest quality of care for every patient. Aeger primo! 

Thank you to all those that participated in our 27th Annual Hospital Hill Run. For a complete listing of results and to view the gallery, click here. 

Register today for the 2024 Hospital Hill Run and take advantage of Early Bird pricing!

The 27th Annual Hospital Hill Run is scheduled for Saturday, June 8th. All proceeds will support the Caring Club House located on the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System campus.

Registration Details:

• $20: Online Registration by June 1  
• $15: Local Health Care Employees (if registered by June 1)
• $25: Registration After June 1
• Free: Children 12 and under

Registration includes a comfortable running shirt (pictured right). Registrants 12 and under will receive a youth t-shirt. 

Race Events Available:

• Timed 5k Run - all ages
• Timed 1-mile Kids Race - ages 2-12 years old 
• 5K Walk - all ages
• 1-mile walk - all ages

Event Day Agenda:

• Check-in 7:00 am - 7:45 am
  • Check-in will be at the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House
    • 220 9th Ave NW, Watertown
• The race will start at 8:00 am
• Award ceremony, refreshments, and festivities immediately following the race
• A route map will be included in every registration packet for those interested in spectating
• Race packets will be available for early check-in on Friday, June 7th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm at Trav's Outfitter

Grab the entire family and get outside for a morning of exercise, connecting with the Watertown community, and learning a bit more about our beautiful Caring Club House.

Win a New Pair of Shoes!

All 27th Annual Hospital Hill Run registrants will be automatically entered to win a $250 voucher to Trav's Outfitter. A perfect excuse to go shopping for a new pair of running shoes! In addition, a $10 "Trav's Bucks" coupon will be included in each race packet. 

Caring Club House

The Caring Club House is a convenient, comfortable, and affordable place to stay while either a patient or a family member is receiving medical care at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Guests of the Caring Club House are asked for a donation of $10 per person and $3 for each additional guest per family per night. The donation is waived for those who are unable to provide it.

If you’re interested in supporting the 27^th Annual Hospital Hill Run and the Caring Club House with a donation, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Please, no pets, rollerblades, bicycles, etc. Questions? Call 882-7908.

Register For The Hospital Hill Run Here

If you prefer, you can download a Hospital Hill Run 2024 Registration Form and return it to Marketing at 401 9th Ave NW. You may also drop a registration form off at the Registration Desk just inside the Main Entrance. Please complete one registration form for each event participant. 

WATERTOWN, S.D. – April 18, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is one of the first healthcare systems in South Dakota to implement Ion, a robotic-assisted technology for minimally invasive biopsies deep within the lung not accessible through a traditional bronchoscope.

Dr. Svien Senne, Pulmonologist at Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic performed the first three Ion assisted procedures today, April 18^th, 2024. He is board certified in Pulmonology and sought extra training to perform this advanced procedure. “With this new technology during a procedure, we can achieve greater precision, extend our reach, increase stability, and provide answers sooner,” said Dr. Senne. “It tackles multiple complexities of lung biopsies, and I am thrilled to bring this advanced level of care to our patients.”

During a bronchoscopy with Ion, Dr. Senne uses the controller to navigate to the lung mass along a digitally planned path. The catheter can articulate 180 degrees in any direction to pass through small, difficult to navigate airways and around tight bends to reach all 18 segments of the lung.

Dr. Senne added, “Our goal is to expedite the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, alleviating patient anxiety and minimizing critical waiting periods. By utilizing this innovative technology, we empower patients with timely answers and treatment decisions.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. However, when found at an earlier stage, it is more likely to be treated successfully. For more information about Prairie Lakes Pulmonology and this new Ion technology, click here.