WATERTOWN, S.D. – February 23, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) has been recognized as a 2024 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. This annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™. PLHS has received this award every year since it was introduced in 2016.
“The designation of being a top rural and community hospital validates the exceptional care and commitment Prairie Lakes provides to the communities we serve,” said John Allen, Chief Executive Officer at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. “Being one of six South Dakota hospitals to receive this award gives great perspective to the dedicated efforts our employees and medical staff deliver every day.”
“During an era of profound uncertainty for rural healthcare, the Top 100 rural hospitals continue to provide a unique lens through which we can identify innovation and inspiration for how to deliver high-quality care to increasingly vulnerable populations,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We’re delighted to be able to recognize all this year’s Top 100 but especially the more than 40 first-time recipients across both categories. It’s wonderful to see so many new facilities join the ranks of our Top 100 alumni.”
Now in its 14th year, the INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Featuring a methodology utilizing publicly available data, the INDEX is leveraged nationwide by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
About Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
Located in Watertown, S.D., Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is an independent healthcare organization that provides care for 90,000 people in a ten-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. The system is focused on meeting the needs of the region with a mission to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities they serve. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System offers close to 30 medical services/specialties with over 800 professionals, physicians, and caregivers on staff to serve their rural communities.
Last semester's Explore Camp was so popular, that we're bringing it back to allow more students to attend!
On April 24, local high school Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are curious about a career in healthcare will have the opportunity to "explore" the programs and services provided by PLHS.
The first half of the day will include tours of the PLHS campus along with extended visits to various departments to learn about patient treatment processes within that specialty. These patient case simulations will take place in Radiology, ER, Lab, Rehab Services, MSP, Home Health, CCU, and Surgical Services. Ideally, this experience will highlight healthcare careers these students may not have ever heard of before. The students will then go to Lake Area Technical College for lunch and additional education.
The goal of Explore Camp is to introduce various career opportunities to students in Watertown and surrounding communities that exist within the medical field and increase interest around the healthcare industry in general.
Registration will open on Friday, March 1st and will be limited to 60 participants. https://buff.ly/3vyTiaB
This program is sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Health, Scrubs Camp, LATC and PLHS.
Prairie Lakes Cardiology is running a campaign to bring awareness to the comprehensive cardiology services we have available right here in Watertown.
We hope you never have to face heart complications or conditions like heart failure, vascular disease, or heart disease. But if you do, Prairie Lakes Cardiology is right here to ensure you receive the most advanced care and ongoing support that keeps hope alive.
Learn More: www.prairielakes.com/cardiologyhope
WATERTOWN, S.D. – February 12, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System warns patients and nonpatients of a calling scam in which someone who claims to be calling on behalf of Prairie Lakes, Medicare, or a credit card company is asking for personal information.
The call appears to show up on Caller ID as “Brown Clinic” with local phone number prefixes. It is important to know that Prairie Lakes does not ask for personal information over the phone such as your full social security number or Medicare ID number. If you receive a call that is unexpected or the person on the line is asking for personal information, simply hang up and call your provider to verify. Do not share personal information.
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About Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
Located in Watertown, S.D., Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is an independent healthcare organization that provides care for 90,000 people in a ten-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. The system is focused on meeting the needs of the region with a mission to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities they serve. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System offers exceptional care every day in 30 medical specialties/services with over 800 physicians, caregivers, and professionals on staff to serve their communities.
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.
The Blood Mobile will be parked outside of the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. on Tuesday, February 27th.
Update: All donors will receive a $10 Hy-Vee gift card!
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.
February is American Heart Month, a time when all people—especially women—are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. Kahley Meyer, PA-C; Travis Erickson, DNP; Dr. Richard Howard; Dr. Ravi Kalaga; Jacklyn Karli, DNP
Women in the United States are experiencing unacceptable and avoidable heart-related illness and death, and nearly half of U.S. women do not recognize that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.
The Prairie Lakes Cardiology Clinic created a quick quiz to test how well you know your heart facts. Click the link below to take our short quiz and be automatically entered to win a Prairie Lakes Prize Pack! Winners will be announced in early March.
Good Luck!
Join Dr. Jeffrey Smith and Dave Feist, PA-C from the Prairie Lakes Dermatology Clinic on KXLG Monday mornings at 7:25 am and hear about medical trends, updates, and common concerns in Dermatology.
You can hear either of them live on February 5th, 12th, and 19th.
Listen in this Monday morning and let us know what you think by sending comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The 79th Annual Watertown Winter Farm Show is taking place at the Codington County Extension Office and Fieldhouse Wednesday, February 7th through Saturday, February 10th. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is excited to once again participate in educational sessions led by our providers.
In addition, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System will have a booth in the Fieldhouse which is open daily from 9 am -4 pm! We are offering free blood pressures, providers and services information, and more.
Attendees will be able to visit with 29 of our patient care departments to gather information, enjoy interactive games, and pick up various treats and promotional items. 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.
Our event will also provide a series of small-group educational seminars covering a broad range of topics from menopause, to gut health, to pain science, to the importance of sleep, and more.
Locations for each breakout will be provided in the event program distributed at the registration desk.
The featured message is "Live Well, Be Well" and will be delivered through our first-ever Prairie Lakes Provider Panel. Four of our providers will come together on one stage to discuss healthcare trends and topics as well as answer questions submitted by attendees. Upon registration, each attendee will have the option to include a question or concern they would like our panel to cover.
Prairie Lakes Provider Panel Participants:
Schedule of Events:
The first 400 adults to RSVP by Friday, February 9th will receive a complimentary welcome gift!
In addition, just by signing up for Ladies Night Out 2024, you will be entered to win a chance for a stylish, designer bag! You must be present at the end of the event to win- the prize will not be mailed.
NOTE: By registering for Ladies Night Out 2024, you give us permission to use any photographs we may capture of you for our own marketing purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the registration desk know upon check-in.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation is excited to announce BASH (Building A Superior Healthcare System) 2024 will be held on Saturday, April 6th at the Watertown Event Center. BASH is an annual fundraising gala hosted by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, with much support from donors and volunteers.
BASH 2024 "Labor of Love" aims to raise funds to transform our Maternal Child Health Unit into a class-leading experience. Expectant parents will become VIPs- enjoying top-of-the-line amenities, services, and technology.
About 600 babies are welcomed into the world at Prairie Lakes Hospital each year. We specialize in making the birthing experience happy and memorable for everyone involved. Currently, our Maternal Child Health all-in-one birthing suites are specially equipped to accommodate the entire labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum (LDRP) process. This creates a relaxed atmosphere where parents can welcome their new child in a comfortable setting.
All proceeds raised from BASH 2024 "Labor of Love" will be used to provide even more amenities to create this state-of-the-art, 5-star experience for our expectant VIPs.
Ticket Prices:
Reservations are required for BASH and may be made online at EventBrite or by calling the Prairie Lakes Foundation office at 605-882-7631.
Deadline to purchase BASH tickets will be Friday, March 8th.
Reserve Your Seat at BASH 2024
Corporate sponsorships are appreciated as the Foundation works to cover the cost of the event so all dollars raised are allocated towards the cause. Sponsorship inquiries may be made by calling the foundation office at 605-882-7631 or emailingThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Visit the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation’s Facebook page for updates on packages and other exciting event details.
The mission of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation is, “Healthcare is a vital component of a community’s quality of life. Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation exists to raise funds with which to support and advance the health services available to the Watertown area through Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.”
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) announces Michael Moore as the new Director of Supply Chain. His responsibilities include planning, coordinating, and supervising the delivery of supply chain products and services provided by the Materials Management department. Moore has been serving as the Interim Director of Materials Management since October 2023.
Moore comes to Prairie Lakes with 25 years of experience in the supply chain industry and the last 15 years as a supply chain director in the healthcare industry. He was most recently the Supply Chain Director at several LifePoint Health facilities in Arkansas.
Moore calls Arkansas home where he graduated from High School and earned his business administration degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. He is a dad to four children, ages 16-29, and in his spare time he enjoys reading, riding his bicycle, hunting, and playing a little golf.
"I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be here at Prairie Lakes. It has already been a great experience getting to know the amazing people and seeing the great teamwork everyone is putting in to making this community healthier and a better place to live. I’m excited to be a permanent part of the amazing PLHS team.”
Due to the recent acquisition of Brown Clinic effective January 1, 2024, "Stethoscope" e-newsletter subscribers will now receive the "News from Prairie Lakes" monthly e-newsletter.
To receive the monthly e-newsletter from Prairie Lakes, please sign up by clicking the button below:
We're making a few exciting changes this year! Mainly, in lieu of a traditional keynote speaker, we'll be creating a "Provider Panel" of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System medical practitioners to lead a discussion about women's health concerns, health trends, the connection between various health specialties, and more. Questions will be selected based on suggestions sent in from our public attendees when they register for this year's event.
The compliment the panel discussion, additional PLHS providers and specialists will be providing educational breakout sessions along with interactive booths from over 30 departments within our healthcare system.
Heavy appetizers and a no-host bar are also included in this free event.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, February 23rd. More information and ways to register will be coming soon.
Kailee McClean and Devin Nichols of Watertown, SD welcomed their new baby boy at 8:23 pm on January 1, 2024. Grayson Chas is 19.25” inches long and weighs seven pounds 4 ounces. He is the first baby born at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in 2024. Proud older brothers include Jaxsyn, Wylder, and Dawson. Grandparents of Grayson are Sasha and Errik Enewold of Colorado Dustin and Brandi McClean of Texas.
A total of 604 babies were delivered at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in 2023. To learn more about birth/new parent classes and other free education and resources, please visit our Obstetrics page.
Prairie Lakes Obstetric Services
As part of the "First Baby of the New Year" recognition, Kailee and Devin were presented gifts from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System along with the following businesses: Gast Sales, Inc., Olli & Co., Juniper & Jade Photography, Salon LUX, County Fair, Grandma's House, Power 106 FM, Sign Pro, and the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce.
Baby Gifts from PLHS and local businesses presented to the family.
Grayson Chas - first baby born at PLHS in 2024