Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) was recently named one of the top 20 rural and community hospitals in the country. This is the sixth time PLHS has received this recognition since it was introduced by The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) seven years ago. To celebrate this achievement, PLHS held a "Slice Above the Rest" employee celebration in the main lobby that included pizza and new pizza cutters for all employees, volunteers, and board members. Photos from this event are added below. 

The NRHA has announced the 20 highest-ranked prospective payment system hospitals in the country based on an evaluation by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The hospitals are identified using the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, the most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural PPS hospital performance. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System will be recognized May 18 during NRHA’s Rural Hospital Innovation Summit in San Diego, CA.

The determining factors for the top 20 rural and community hospitals are based on eight indices: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and finance.

“Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is proud of the dedication and exceptional care provided every day by staff, physicians, and volunteers who contribute to our healthcare system achieving this recognition,” says Paul Macek, Interim CEO. “Three of the twenty hospitals in the nation that received this designation are from South Dakota and that speaks volumes to the care and services that our rural population has access to. Our recognition as a top health care provider means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future.”

About Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System serves a ten-county region in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Prairie Lakes provides care at its hospital in Watertown as well as Prairie Lakes Cancer Center, Prairie Lakes Mallard Pointe Surgical Center, dialysis units in Sisseton, SD, Watertown, SD and Ortonville, MN, rehabilitation services, and specialty services. Specialty services are a focus of PLHS to bring needed care to the region. These specialties include Cardiology, Dermatology, Ear, Nose & Throat, General Surgery, Hospice, Home Care, Nephrology, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Urology, and Wound Care. For more information, visit www.prairielakes.com.

About NRHA
NRHA is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and well-being of rural Americans and provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research. NRHA’s membership consists of diverse individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.

About the Chartis Group
Chartis is a comprehensive health care advisory firm dedicated to helping clients build a healthier world. Work is facilitated across the health care continuum with more than 600 clients annually, including providers, payers, health services organizations, technology and retail companies, and investors. Through times of change, challenge, and opportunity, Chartis advises the industry on how to navigate disruption, pursue growth, achieve financial sustainability, unleash technology, improve care models and operations, enhance clinical quality and safety, and advance health equity. Teams convened bring deep industry expertise and industry leading innovation, enabling clients to achieve transformational results and create positive societal impact.  For more information, visit www.chartis.com.

Following a nation-wide Chief Executive Officer (CEO) search, the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors announces the appointment of John Allen as President and CEO.  Allen will begin at Prairie Lakes on February 27, 2023, and will replace Paul Macek, who was hired in August 2021 as Interim CEO to assist with the recruitment of a permanent CEO.

“We're pleased to welcome John Allen to the Prairie Lakes family,” said Robb Peterson, Board Chairman. “John has a lot to offer Prairie Lakes and we are excited to challenge him to continue focused efforts on the strategic initiatives we have recently developed. With Mr. Allen joining us, we will continue to emphasize our position as a leader in the region for quality healthcare.” Peterson added, “On behalf of the Board and Prairie Lakes, I’d also like to thank Paul Macek for his dedication and the successes he has brought to our organization throughout the last couple of years.”

Allen comes to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System with 30 years of demonstrated performance in healthcare management, executive leadership, and business. He has an extensive history in strategic service line planning, operations leadership, and partnering with physicians and across organizations.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Theater from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, Allen went on to complete his Master of Business Administrator degree with a focus in finance from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.  He is relocating to Watertown, SD from Boise, ID.  Allen previously served as the System Vice President, Enterprise Planning and Decision Support role for St. Luke’s Health System, the largest not for profit health system in Idaho, incorporating eight adult and pediatric hospitals. His vast healthcare knowledge will be an asset to Prairie Lakes to continue momentum toward recent initiatives to enhance organizational culture, be the keystone of the community, optimize operational excellence, and provide exceptional patient care every day.

“I am honored to lead the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System organization and am excited to become part of the Watertown community,” said Allen. “I look forward to cultivating relationships in Watertown, with regional partners, and with the exceptional employees and medical staff of Prairie Lakes. I am dedicated to the continued success of Prairie Lakes while leading efforts to deliver high quality, accessible, patient-centered care to the community and region of Watertown."


About Prairie Lakes Healthcare System:

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is an independent organization that provides care for 90,000 people in a ten-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. Prairie Lakes is licensed to operate 81 acute care hospital beds including Labor and Delivery, Telemetry, Critical Care, and general hospital. Hospital services also include a 24-hour emergency department, surgical services, Interventional Cardiology, and services providing diagnostics and imaging services.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System also operates Prairie Lakes Cancer Center, Prairie Lakes Mallard Pointe Surgical Center, dialysis units in Sisseton, SD, Watertown, SD and Ortonville, MN, rehabilitation services, and specialty services. Specialty services are a focus of Prairie Lakes to bring needed care to the region. These specialties include Cardiology, Dermatology, Ear, Nose & Throat, General Surgery, Hospice, Home Care, Nephrology, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Urology, and Wound Care.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce Erika Bluel as the new Director of Cardiology Service Line. Bluel oversees the Cardiology Clinic in the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, the Cardiac Cath Lab, and the Cardiac Rehab department.

Bluel grew up in Loveland, CO and earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Adams State University in Alamosa, CO and her master’s degree in Nursing in Healthcare Administration and Leadership from Capella University. She has eight years of nursing experience and first learned of Watertown, SD in 2020 when she was a travel nurse assigned to the Cardiac Cath Lab at Prairie Lakes. She quickly fell in love with the area. After her six-month long assignment, she continued to travel to nearby locations, but ended up moving to Watertown permanently one year ago. In her spare time, if she’s not coaching competitive cheerleading, you can find Erika working on DIY projects or enjoying the outdoors.

“I have always been drawn to Cardiology and I am excited to lead the heart care teams here at Prairie Lakes,” said Bluel. “The heart services and facilities that are available at Prairie Lakes are very impressive. I look forward to contributing my skills and experience to continue the momentum of the Cardiology program to provide the best care possible for the patients in our region.”

Learn More About Prairie Lakes Cardiology

Bluel replaces Leah Le, who was the Director of Cardiology for the past 10 years. Leah is transitioning to the Director of Specialty Clinics, which includes ENT, Dermatology, Nephrology, Pulmonology, Urology, General Surgery, Outreach Clinics, and Central Scheduling. Katie Mages, who previously oversaw the Specialty Clinics and has been a Director within the organization for the past 8 years, is transitioning to Director of Clinic Revenue Cycle.

The 78th Annual Watertown Winter Farm Show is taking place at the Watertown Extension Expo and Fieldhouse Wednesday, February 8th through Saturday, February 11th. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is excited to once again participate in educational sessions led by our providers. Each session will be held in the Codington County Extension Building:

Class Schedule

Wednesday, February 8th
11:00 a.m.: "Are You at Risk for Heart Disease" by Jacklyn Karli, DNP, Cardiology (Classroom B)
12:00 p.m.: "The Start to Stop Smoking" by Jessica Winterboer, RT, Respiratory Therapy (Classroom B)
 
Thursday, Febraury 9th
11:00 a.m.: "Portion Control & Reading Labels" by Megan Block, RD, Sodexo (Classroom C)
12:00 p.m.: "When Should I See a Dermatologist?" by Abby Geitzen, PA-C, Dermatology (Classroom B)
 
Friday, February 10th
11:00 a.m.: "Farmer's Tan... What to Look For" by Dr. Smith, Dermatologist (Classroom B)
12:00 p.m.: "Understanding Farmer's Lung" by Dr. Senne, Pulmonologist (Classroom B)
1:00 p.m.: "Know Pain, Know Gain" by Eric Fjeldheim, PT, Rehab Services (Classroom B)
 

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 visitors can spin the wheel for a chance to win a prize.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce the new Director of Human Resources (HR), Sarah Bruning. She replaces Alison Gilbertson who was recently appointed to the Vice President of Human Resources at Prairie Lakes. 

Bruning holds a master’s degree in Business Administration that she earned from the University of South Dakota. She has been with Prairie Lakes for the past six years serving as an accountant for three years and most recently as the Payroll and Benefits Specialist within the HR Department. Bruning worked as the Clinic Administrator at Prairie Eye Clinic in Vermillion, SD for 17 years prior to coming to Prairie Lakes.

Bruning grew up in Watertown and after 23 years of residing in Vermillion, returned to Watertown with her husband, Scott and their family.  She enjoys spending time with her daughters, Lexie and Miley, and filling her camper with things Scott doesn’t think they need.

“I look forward to leading the HR team to provide exceptional support, resources, and benefits to the employees and future employees of Prairie Lakes,” said Bruning. “It is my goal to improve internal processes, recruit and retain a valuable workforce, cultivate a positive working environment, and make Prairie Lakes the healthcare employer of choice in the area.”

To view the list of current job openings at Prairie Lakes, please visit, www.prairielakes.com/careers.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce that Prairie Lakes Dermatology is now providing outreach to Sanford Health Brookings Clinic in Brookings, SD. Prairie Lakes Dermatology specialists see patients at this location twice per month.

With a goal of providing exceptional health care services that are close to home so patients don’t have to travel far for appointments to see a specialist, Prairie Lakes provides specialty care to other community healthcare facilities where needed. In addition to seeing patients at the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic in Watertown and Sanford Health Brookings Clinic, Dermatology providers also provide outreach services to Huron and Milbank.

Prairie Lakes Dermatology specialists, Dr. Jeffrey Smith and Abby Gietzen, PA-C, specialize in general dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetic and laser treatments, and contact dermatitis. They offer advanced treatment and procedure options that are personalized to address simple or complex skin conditions.

To schedule an appointment with Prairie Lakes Dermatology at Sanford Health Brookings Clinic, please call 605-882-6861.

Learn More About Prairie Lakes Dermatology

Friday, January 13, 2023

Ladies Night Out 2023 Registration is Now Open Featured

Join author Leslie Morgan Steiner and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in person on Friday, February 24th for our Ladies Night Out event at the Watertown Event Center.

We will have providers on-hand for educational break-out sessions covering topics such as Cognition, Acid Reflux, Breast Health, Pelvic Health, and Pain Neuroscience. In addition, we will have informative and interactive booths set up throughout the Event Center showcasing our various health services ranging from Cardiology, Dermatology, ENT, and more.

Breakout Session Schedule

4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.

  • "Mindful Eating" by Mallory Pruitt, RD (Nutritional Services)
  • "Acid Reflux" by Dr. Jacob Schaeffer (General Surgery)
  • "Kidney Health & You" by Stefanie Roby, PA-C (Nephrology)
  • "Tapping Into Nature's Pharmacy" by Eric Fjeldheim, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)

5:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.

  • "Mindfulness and Stress Management" by Todd Hodenfield, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)
  • "Breast Services" by Dr. Greg Gerrish (General Surgery)
  • "Carpal Tunnel & Trigger Finger" by Dr. Casey Johnston (Orthopedics)
  • "Thinking about Thinking" by Kirsten Blackwell, SLP (Rehabilitation Services)

5:30 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.

  • "Mindful Eating" by Mallory Pruitt, RD (Nutritional Services)
  • "Health Screenings" by Kari Fleming, PA-C (General Surgery)
  • "Carpal Tunnel & Trigger Finger" by Dr. Casey Johnston (Orthopedics)
  • "Tapping Into Nature's Pharmacy" by Eric Fjeldheim, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)

6:00 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. 

  • "Mindfulness and Stress Management" by Todd Hodenfield, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)
  • "Breast Services" by Dr. Greg Gerrish (General Surgery)
  • "Coronary Artery Disease" by Dr. Kalaga (Cardiology)
  • "Promoting Health & Wellness for your Pelvis" by Haley Rowland, DPT (Rehabilitation Services)

The featured message is, Think Health, by Leslie Morgan Steiner. Drawing the connection between your mental and physical health, stress management, and the importance of self-care.

More about the keynote: Leslie Morgan Steiner is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Crazy Love; the critically acclaimed anthology Mommy Wars: Stay-at-Home and Career Moms Face Off on Their Choices, Their Lives, Their Families; The Baby Chase: How Surrogacy is Transforming the American Family; and her latest memoir, The Naked Truth, which explores female sexuality, self-esteem, and dating after 50. She holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard College and an MBA from Wharton business school. Her TEDTalks about domestic violence and the ethics of global surrogacy have been viewed by over seven million people. Visit her at www.lesliebooks.com.

Event Details

Schedule of Events:

  • 4:00 pm - Doors Open
  • 4:30 - 6:30 pm - Educational Break-out Sessions and Interactive Booths
  • 5:00 - 6:30 pm - Light Appetizers Served in the Grand Ballroom
  • 6:55 pm - Program Begins with a Welcome Message
  • 7:00 pm - Keynote address: Think Health!
  • 8:00 pm - Door prizes announced and close of the event

The first 400 adults to RSVP by February 10th at noon will receive a complimentary welcome gift!

In addition, just by signing up for Ladies Night Out 2023, you will be entered to win a chance for a stylish, designer backpack! You must be present at the event in order to win- the prize will not be mailed.

Register Today!

NOTE: By registering for Ladies Night Out 2023, 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.

Provide hope and impact local lives in our community!

The Blood Mobile will be parked outside of the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. on Monday, January 16th. 

As a blood donor, you are participating in a vital community service to ensure the Community Blood Bank can meet the needs of patients within our community. 8 out of 10 of us will require blood or blood products in our lifetime - this is your opportunity to give back to others in need today. 550 units of blood are needed every week to meet the needs of our local hospitals so it is imperative that anyone who is able to donate blood does so. 

Update: Community Blood Bank will be randomly drawing winners from the list of donors to receive a $25 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.    

  Sign Up Here

Guidelines to Donate:

  • Blood donors must be at least 17 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 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.
  • Online sign-up is preferred to help with social distancing
  • Walk-ins will be accepted, if there is room or a cancellation – staff on event day will manage this process

Casey and Erica Kneebone of Watertown, SD welcomed their new baby boy at 5:23pm on January 2, 2023. Clyde Russell Kneebone is 18.5” inches long and 5 pounds 15.4 ounces. He is the first baby born at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in 2023. Proud older siblings include Calvin Kneebone, Natalee Blauer, and Dalton Blauer. Grandparents of Clyde are Bill and Joni Peyton of Watertown and Russell and Barb Kneebone of Flandreau, SD.

Prairie Lakes Obstetrics delivered a total of 637 babies in 2022. To learn more about birth/new parent classes and other free education and resources, please visit our Obstetrics page.

Prairie Lakes Obstetric Services

As 2022 comes to an end and we ring in a new year, we reflect on the past year and are pleased to have welcomed 4 new physicians, 5 new advanced practice providers, and 4 new therapists to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in the last 12 months. This demonstrates our commitment to providing exceptional care every day. Get to know some of the newest members of the Prairie Lakes team by clicking their profiles below. 

We are pleased to have welcomed these new faces to the Prairie Lakes family and are proud that these medical professionals chose the Watertown region not only to join this community, but to care for this community. 

In addition, Prairie Lakes added five Orthopedic Specialists to the team when Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics became Prairie Lakes Orthopedics in August 2022. Although these providers have been performing procedures and surgeries at Prairie Lakes for many years, they officially became providers under the Prairie Lakes name this past year.

Other Provider Updates in 2022

  • Haley Ellis, CNP, moved to the Pulmonology Clinic from the Cardiology Clinic.
  • Jacklyn Karli, DNP, in Cardiology completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice, which is the highest degree of educational training in the nursing profession.