Due to inclement weather, the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, Cancer Center, ENT Clinic at Mallard Pointe, Cardiac Rehab, and Wound Clinic will be closing today, December 13th at noon and will be closed tomorrow, December 14th. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

Home Care and Hospice Services will be provided where deemed safe.

We encourage you to stay indoors and keep off the roads if possible.

Tips to stay safe indoors during winter storms

 

Free Rooms for Families of Local Patients

My Place Hotel and Quality Inn & Suites in Watertown are providing free rooms for out-of-town families visiting their loved ones in nursing homes, hospitals, and treatment centers on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

There are a limited number of rooms available. Please make advance reservations if possible by contacting the hotel directly. My Place Hotel - Watertown can be reached at 605-878-3133. Quality Inn & Suites can be reached at 605-886-3010.  

The New Year is a perfect time for a change!

Change your lifestyle, change your eating habits, change your attitude and change your life! Core4 by Sodexo is offered to PLHS employees and the general public. Beginning Tuesday, January 10th, there are two 12-week sessions available that meet for an hour  - one meets at 12:00 pm and the other meets at 5:30 pm. Both groups will meet in the North Conference Room. 

Effective weight management isn’t just about losing pounds. It’s about gaining a healthier, more rewarding lifestyle. During the Core4 program, our Registered Dietitians will focus on boosting your overall health, relying on proven scientific methods to train you to improve your eating habits, lifestyle, and activity choices- for good!

The 12-Week CORE4 Program

  • Week 1: Introduction
  • Week 2: Individual Appointment with a Registered Dietitian
  • Week 3: Taking Control Behavior Modification
  • Week 4: Portions
  • Week 5: Food Labels, Meal Planning and Dining Out
  • Week 6: Exercise
  • Week 7: Choosing Wisely Fat, Cholesterol and Triglycerides
  • Week 8: Choosing Wisely Carbohydrates and Fiber
  • Week 9: Choosing Wisely Protein and Water
  • Week 10: Choosing Wisely Vitamins and Minerals
  • Week 11: Stress, Sleep and Extreme Diets
  • Week 12: Moving On

Early-Bird Incentive: Enter promo code "Early" on/before January 2nd and receive $20 off your registration fee.

The program is limited to 8 attendees per session, so be sure to get registered before they fill up!

To enhance your Core4 experience, we are now offering the use of the PLHS Cardiopulmonary Rehab gym with healthcare staff assistance. More information will be shared at the first Core4 class.

Body Composition Analysis (BCA)

This analysis is based on an individual’s personal information using weight, height and age. The BCA shows the composition of your body in terms of fat, muscle, and water content. This can help you concentrate on losing body fat instead of just focusing on losing pounds. A body composition analysis is completed at the beginning and the end of this 12 week program.

Register Today!

 

 

Wednesday, December 07, 2022

Ladies Night Out 2023 - Save the Date!

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is proud to announce the return of an in-person Ladies Night Out on Friday, February 24th at the Watertown Event Center!

Our keynote speaker, Leslie Morgan Steiner, will be sharing poignant information on the importance of self-care, ways to cope with stress, and the unique challenges working mothers face as they raise a family along with enjoying a professional career. 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. Visit her at www.lesliebooks.com.  

In addition, various PLHS providers and specialists will be providing educational breakout sessions along with several interactive booths for the community to enjoy. Dinner and a no-host bar are also included in this free event. 

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, February 24th. 

Register Today!

Thursday, March 09, 2023

BASH is Back in 2023!

Update: Tickets sales have now ended, but check back for additional information on online silent auction bidding and other opportunities to get involved and support the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation and BASH 2023. 

Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation is excited to announce BASH (Building A Superior Healthcare System) 2023 will be held on Saturday, March 25th at the Watertown Event Center. BASH is an annual gala fundraising event hosted by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, with much support from donors and volunteers. 

About BASH 2023

dialysis systemKidney Dialysis MachineBASH 2023 will have a whimsical golden theme, encouraging guests to “dial in on dialysis.” Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase new kidney dialysis machines (artificial kidneys) for Watertown Kidney Dialysis at the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.

Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing and don’t filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in the bloodstream. Dialysis does the work of the kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood. One type of dialysis is hemodialysis, where a machine removes blood from your body, filters it through a dialyzer (artificial kidney), and returns cleaned blood to your body. This 3–4-hour process takes place at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, three times a week.

All proceeds raised during BASH 2023 will be used to purchase these lifesaving kidney dialysis machines!

BandEvent Details

  • 5:30pm - Social Hour and Silent Auction
  • 7:00pm - Gourmet Dinner
  • 7:45pm - Program and Live Auction
  • 8:30pm - Entertainment Featuring MVP Smash Band

 

Buy Tickets and Support the Cause

Reservations are required for BASH and may be made online at EventBrite or by calling the Foundation office at 605-882-7631.

Donate to BASH

Sponsorships

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 emailing This 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.” 

Monday, December 05, 2022

Save the Date for BASH 2023

Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation is excited to announce BASH (Building A Superior Healthcare System) 2023 will be held on Saturday, March 25 at the Watertown Event Center. BASH is an annual gala fundraising event hosted by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, with much support from donors and volunteers.

Tickets

This semi-formal event is open to the public. Tickets must be purchased by March 8th through the link below, by calling the Foundation office at 605-882-7631, or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Register for BASH 2023

Theme and Cause

BASH 2023 will have a whimsical golden theme, encouraging guests to “dial in on dialysis.” Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase new kidney dialysis machines (artificial kidneys) for Watertown Kidney Dialysis Unit at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.

Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing and don’t filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in the bloodstream. Dialysis does the work of the kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood. One type of dialysis is hemodialysis, where a machine removes blood from your body, filters it though a dialyzer (artificial kidney), and returns cleaned blood to your body. This 3–4-hour process takes place at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, three times a week.

All proceeds raised during BASH 2023 will be used to purchase these lifesaving kidney dialysis machines.

BandBASH Agenda 

  • 5:30 pm - social hour with signature drinks, a wine bar, and silent auction bidding
  • 7:00 pm - gourmet dinner 
  • 7:45 pm - program and live auction
  • 8:30 pm - entertainment featuring the MVP Smash band

Sponsorships

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 emailing This 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.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to welcome Radiation Oncologist, Joni Buechler, MD to our cancer care team. Dr. Buechler cares for patients at the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center and creates personalized treatment and therapy plans for patients diagnosed with cancer. With advanced radiation therapies, chemotherapy, mobile PET scanning, clinical trials, and an experienced oncology and hematology team, Prairie Lakes Cancer Center is equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage a large variety of cancers and blood disorders.

Dr. Buechler has a combined 34 years of experience as a radiologic technician, radiation therapist, nurse, and Radiation Oncologist. She earned her medical degree from the University of North Dakota and completed her residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  She is board-certified by the American Board of Radiology.

Since 2014, Dr. Buechler has spent time at Prairie Lakes Cancer Center as a locum physician.  Upon the retirement of Dr. Jeffrey Brindle, she assumed a full-time role.  She and husband Jeremy come to us from Fargo, where she worked for almost 10 years.  She enjoys being active with water fitness, going to the gym, hiking, and biking.  She is addicted to Wordle and British TV.  She loves animals, especially cats!  She continues her quest in search of the perfect caramel roll.  “So far, no one’s is better than my Mom’s,” she says.

“I grew up on a farm in ND and am happiest in a rural community” said Dr. Buechler. “We look forward to becoming a part of this one.”

You may schedule an appointment with Dr. Buechler by calling the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center at 605-882-6800. A referral is not required to schedule an appointment.

PLHC 36 web

 

 

View Dr. Buechler's Doctor Profile

 

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurie Fieber to the position of Vice President of Clinic Operations and Alison Gilbertson to the position of Vice President of Human Resources. Both Fieber and Gilbertson will provide administrative leadership for PLHS.

Fieber received her nursing degree from the University of South Dakota and her Master of Science in nursing from Grand Canyon University. She has been with Prairie Lakes for almost 20 years where she has served patients in the ER, Same Day Surgery, Home Health/Hospice, and Cath Lab. Fieber previously held the leadership role of Director of General Surgery, ENT Clinic, Outreach Clinics and Central Scheduling. She was most recently promoted to the Interim Vice President role in January 2022. Fieber enjoys spending time with her children: Cassie, Davin, Jeryn, and Blake along with reading her kindle.

 “I have always been proud to be a part of the Prairie Lakes team. It is an organization that has such a proud past and a bright future.” My years at PLHS have taught me time and time again that we have some of the best staff and physicians that I have been fortunate enough to work alongside,” Fieber said. “I’m excited to continue to serve an organization that is committed to its employees, continued growth, and providing excellent care to our patients.”

Gilbertson holds a master’s degree from the University of South Dakota and her undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University. She has been with Prairie Lakes for the past 10 years, and 8 years prior, where she has served in several leadership roles including Director of Human Resources, Executive Director of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, Organizational Development Specialist, Medical Staff Liaison and Recruiter, and Outreach Coordinator. Previous to Prairie Lakes, she served as the Executive Director of Golden Living Center in Lake Norden, SD. Gilbertson was most recently promoted to the position of Interim Vice President in February 2022. In her free time, she enjoys spending time, preferably outdoors, with her family - husband Steve, and their boys Austin, his wife Sasha, and Brody, her sisters, and her parents. She also appreciates an occasional trip to Disney World.

“Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is a highly successful organization with a compelling vision for continued growth. We have phenomenal staff who work hard together to get the job done, and I believe our most valued asset is our people,” Gilbertson said. “I look forward to contributing to and providing leadership to a team that makes us better than we were the day before." 

Fieber and Gilbertson join the Prairie Lakes Administrative Leadership Team which consists of Shelly Turbak, Chief Nursing Officer, Jay Hodges, Interim Chief Financial Officer, and Paul Macek, Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Learn about Prairie Lakes Mission and Vision

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Hope for the Holidays Memorial Service

The holidays can be a difficult time for families and friends remembering a lost loved one.

Prairie Lakes Hospice invites you to join us on Thursday, December 8th, 2022 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the Prairie Lakes Chapel for our "Hope for the Holidays" Memorial Service. 

Pastor Scott Dempster, Chaplain at Jenkin's Living Center in Watertown, will offer an invocation to help those in attendance to find hope and peace during this season knowing their loved one is in a good place. 

There will be time for private prayer and reflection. A private blessing will also be offered. 

Please RSVP to Sherri Sellers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 605-882-7714.

For more information on Prairie Lakes Hospice and the services we provide, please visit our website or call 605-882-7745 where somebody is always available to answer your call.  

A Prairie Lakes patient is grateful for a team of doctors and nurses who saved her life after complications following child birth on July 6, 2022. She honored a local OB/GYN, Dr. Miranda Pray-Dede, with a "Guardian Angel" award. Many Prairie Lakes teams were involved in Nicole Rislov's care including OB, OR, and CCU. She shared her story with KELOLAND News and surprised Dr. Pray-Dede with the award alongside Priaire Lakes OB staff, Sanford Health staff, and Dr. Pray-Dede's family.

Read the full story on Keloland here.