Thursday, November 03, 2022
Prairie Lakes Welcomes New Speech Language Pathologist
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce the recent addition of Speech Language Pathologist, Kirsten Blackwell to Rehabilitation Services. With the addition of Blackwell, Prairie Lakes Speech Therapy now has three Speech Language Pathologists that care for patients with conditions that affect speech, cognition, and swallowing.
Blackwell grew up in Watertown and decided to move back after graduate school to serve the town that served her for so many years. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders and Special Education from Augustana University in Sioux Falls. She then graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. In her free time, Blackwell loves to play golf and tennis, enjoy Lake Kampeska, and spend time with her husband, Bradey and their dog, Popcorn.
Blackwell has a special interest in pediatric speech therapy and cognition. She cares for patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings of the hospital and Specialty Clinic as well as Prairie Lakes Home Health Services.
“I am excited to care for the needs of patients here in the Watertown community,” Blackwell said. “I have been impressed by my colleagues and Prairie Lakes as a whole. I look forward to continuing to learn more about my areas of interest to help patients live their best life.”
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Thursday, October 20, 2022
A Newer Approach in Swallowing Rehabilitation
Prairie Lakes Health System is proud to offer a new treatment option for those who have difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia. Speech-language pathologists at Prairie Lakes continue to assess and treat dysphagia via screenings, clinical evaluations, Modified Barium Swallow Studies and conventional treatment methods. Prairie Lakes Speech Therapy recently added another swallowing treatment modality called Vital Stim which uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to retrain the muscles that produce a swallow.
Vital Stim Device
Prairie Lakes currently has two speech-language pathologists who are specifically trained to treat qualified patients with this new therapy. Vital Stim is one of several FDA-cleared NMES devices used to treat swallowing disorders. This type of therapy uses small electrical impulses to restore muscle function by helping the swallowing muscles contract more. Because of the sensitive nature of the areas where the electrodes are placed, the unit delivers a carefully calibrated current safely to the motor nerves in the face and throat while the patient eats, drinks, or does swallowing exercises. Over the course of multiple sessions, the muscles are re-educated. The Vital Stim unit also provides biofeedback to assist the patient in learning new swallow maneuvers and to see the progress being made, which is a key piece in providing effective treatment.
While it can be a helpful tool, Vital Stim is not for everyone. For this reason, a doctor’s order is needed to use Vital Stim in your swallowing treatment plan. To find out if you or a loved one is a candidate for Vital Stim therapy, please contact one of our Vital Stim certified speech-language pathologists at 605-882-7700.
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Saturday, October 15, 2022
Prairie Lakes Adds Two Therapists to Rehab Services
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes Physical Therapist, Todd Hodenfield and Occupational Therapist, Chelsea Hodenfield to the Prairie Lakes family. The Hodenfields join the Rehab and Therapy Services team to provide individualized care plans for patients with rehabilitation, therapy, and recovery needs.
Chelsea Hodenfield grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from the University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from USD. Chelsea built her leadership skills as an Occupational Health Coordinator and Clinical Mentor in her last role. As an Occupational Therapist, she develops personalized treatment plans to help individuals of all ages increase strength, endurance, flexibility, and independence to return to an active lifestyle. Chelsea has also earned her Certification in Hand Therapy indicating advanced clinical knowledge in treatment of the upper extremity (shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand). Her and her husband, Todd, have two young children and are excited to become part of the Watertown community.
“I am so excited be back in South Dakota after nearly a decade away," said Chelsea Hodenfield. "I look forward to getting to know the Watertown community and serving the needs of individuals and employers in the area.”
Todd Hodenfield grew up in North Dakota and earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He later completed an Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency with Evidence in Motion. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and focuses on restoring people’s confidence in the amazing healing power and capability of the human body. He has a special interest in optimizing movement and working across the healthcare spectrum to improve the quality of life for all individuals he encounters. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors, family time, playing guitar, and reading.
“Watertown is an awesome community," said Todd Hodenfield. "Our family is loving our time here and we look forward to more."
View Chelsea's Rehab Specialist Profile View Todd's Rehab Specialist Profile
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Thursday, October 06, 2022
Prairie Lakes Adds Two Advanced Practice Providers to Staff
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes Physician Assistant, Kahley Meyer and Nurse Practitioner, Travis Erickson. They join the Prairie Lakes Cardiology Clinic in the expert care of patients with heart conditions.
Meyer graduated with her Bachelor of Biological Sciences degree from South Dakota State University and then received her master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2017 from MCPHS University in Worcester, MA. Meyer and her husband, Dillan, recently moved to Watertown and are expecting their first child in December. In her spare time, Meyer enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family and friends.
“I am honored to join the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Cardiology team and provide patient-centered care to Watertown and the surrounding communities,” said Meyer. “I look forward to getting to know my patients and being a part of this great community.”
Erickson is a Brookings native and graduated from South Dakota State University with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He then received his Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner in 2018 from South Dakota State University. Erickson and his family live in Brookings, SD. He enjoys spending time with his family and enjoys hunting.
“I am excited to be part of the Cardiology team as we continue to grow our service line and provide excellent, high-quality care to the region,” said Erickson. “Prairie Lakes has exceptional technology and treatment options that I’m excited to offer to patients.”
Learn More About Kayley Meyer, PA-CLearn More About Travis Erickson, DNP
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Thursday, September 29, 2022
2022 Infant Loss Remembrance Gift
Infant loss is an unfortunate reality for many expectant parents as they look to grow their families. Miscarriage and stillbirth are both terms describing pregnancy loss. Miscarriage is defined as a loss before 20 weeks of pregnancy, while stillbirth is considered to be 20 weeks of gestation or later. According to the CDC, About 1 pregnancy in 100 at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later is affected by stillbirth, and each year about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System would like to offer a token of remembrance for your loss- we are so sorry for the loss you have experienced. If you live in the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System service area and have experienced a pregnancy loss at any stage, we invite you to register to sign up to receive a remembrance gift.
Register For Infant Loss Remembrance Gift
Registration closes on October 10th. Your gift will then be sent to you in the mail.
Please feel free to reach out to our Infant Loss Coordinators at 605-882-7628 if you have concerns, questions, or need further resources.
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Thursday, September 15, 2022
Prairie Lakes Welcomes Dr. Aaron Pickrel to Hospitalist Team
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to welcome Dr. Aaron Pickrel to our team of hospitalists who manage the medical care for patients who are hospitalized at Prairie Lakes. Our Hospitalists are medical doctors with expertise in internal medicine and family practice.
Dr. Pickrel grew up in Watertown and is returning to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System where he was a Telemetry Technician from 2013 – 2015. He received his medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. During his time in school, he was involved with the Abbott Northwestern IM Residency Council, Student American Academy of Osteopathy, and was on the SDSU Wrestling team during Undergrad. In his free time, Dr. Pickrel enjoys spending time at Lake Kampeska with family and friends, hunting, and fishing in the area.
“I am happy to be back in Watertown where I grew up,” said Dr. Pickrel. “I look forward to giving back and giving care to the community that has always supported me.”
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Thursday, September 08, 2022
Meet Tracy DeGraaf, our Celebrating Life 2022 Keynote Speaker
Tracy DeGraaf is this year's keynote of Celebrating Life 2022 and she promises to deliver an evening of fun, laughs, connection, and community.
Rebellious Magazine said DeGraaf has the “presence of a motivational speaker and the uplifting message of a preacher. Her everyday experiences resonate with fans who can be seen nodding along with punchline after punchline." As a Christian and a breast cancer survivor, DeGraaf uses her platform to inspire women spiritually and motivate them to schedule their breast cancer screenings.
She likes to tell women “I want you to know Jesus, but I don’t want you to meet Him face-to-face just yet.”
DeGraaf pulls material from her experiences as a wife, mother of five sons and middle-aged woman. She is the author of Laugh Anyway Mom and was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. She is happily married to her husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and they live in the Chicago area with their remaining Mini-muffins. She is a member of the Christian Comedy Association and travels nationwide.
If you'd like to listen to a sample of her comedy and story-telling style, check out her podcast "Life Happens, Laugh Anyway" here.
We hope to see you at the free Celebrating Life 2022 event on Thursday, October 13th at 2nd Street Station. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Celebrating Life is a free event PLHS offers to the Watertown community in partnership with the Watertown Breast Cancer Support Group to create an opportunity for breast cancer survivors, women still in their journey, and their loved ones to come together to connect and support each other.
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Thursday, September 08, 2022
Prairie Lakes Approved as Naming Rights Sponsor for Ice Arena
Prairie Lakes held a special announcement event for employees and staff on Wednesday, September 7th to announce that Prairie Lakes will be the Naming Rights sponsor of the new ice arena being constructed in Watertown. It will be named the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena. Later that day, the City of Watertown publicly revealed the Naming Rights at the groundbreaking event.
“This sponsorship supports the Prairie Lakes mission and vision of leading a healthy and active community,” said Robb Peterson, Board Chairman at Prairie Lakes. “The Ice Arena will provide many positive opportunities for improved well-being of the community as a whole for years to come.”
As part of the community benefit requirements to maintain tax exempt status as a not-for-profit organization, Prairie Lakes has a responsibility to the community to support health, wellness, and active lifestyles for the overall well-being of the population we serve.
"This is a great partnership between the City of Watertown and Prairie Lakes. The Ice Arena is part of our commitment in helping to provide the people in the community with a positive quality of life and new opportunities," said Paul Macek, Interim CEO at Prairie Lakes. “We are proud to support the Watertown community and appreciate the support the community and surrounding communities provide to our growing health care system.”
The arena will be located in the Willow Creek development on the east side of Watertown. The arena will have two NHL-sized sheets of ice with the building design fitted for a potential expansion to house a third sheet of ice. The spectator capacity is 1,523 for the main rink and 250 for the practice ice. There will also be spaces to rent out for events, conferences, and parties.
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors agreed to finalize the naming rights agreement for the Ice Arena for $3.5 million for a term of 35 years with an additional $1 million community benefit donation. The funds will be used by the City to support capital costs of the arena. Prairie Lakes will receive sponsorship benefits. An agreement was also approved for Prairie Lakes to be the official "Orthopedic and Sports Medicine" sponsor of the Ice Arena.
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Thursday, September 01, 2022
Join us for the 8th Annual Celebrating Life Event
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is happy to join the Watertown Breast Cancer Support Group to host the 8th Annual Celebrating Life awareness event on Thursday, October 13, 2022. This free event was created to provide an evening to come together to support, encourage, and comfort each other while also "celebrating life" for those that have had breast cancer touch their lives. After two years, this year's event will once again be held in person at 2nd Street Station at 15 2nd Street SW in Watertown.
5:30 p.m.: Doors Open
Cash bar & Complimentary Supper
6:30 p.m.: Welcome
7:00 p.m.: Keynote Address “Life Happens, Laugh Anyway” by Tracy DeGraaf
Referred to as one of Chicago’s best clean female comedians and speakers, Tracy DeGraaf has made a name for herself with her one-woman comedy show “Life Happens Laugh Anyway.” Her inspirational comedy event combines two of her passions: Christianity and breast cancer awareness.
8:00 p.m.: Close of Event
Door Prize Winners Announced
Early Registration Incentive: Register before 5:00 p.m. on October 5th and be automatically entered to win this adorable Vera Bradly cross-body sling backpack.
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Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Prairie Lakes Updates Mask Requirements
Following review and consideration, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Leadership has approved a change in mask requirements in all Prairie Lakes Facilities.
Effective September 1, 2022, the following shall apply:
- Masks are required if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 10 days
- Masks are required if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 10 days
- Masks are required if you have any of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, fever, cough, fatigue or muscle pain, chills, vomiting or diarrhea, loss of taste and smell, sore throat, headache, cough, congestion, or runny nose
- Masks are required for Prairie Lakes staff providing direct patient care.
- Masks may be required in certain departments of Prairie Lakes due to patients that are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease.
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Saturday, August 27, 2022
Prairie Lakes Names New Facilities Director
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) named Josh Dahl as the new Director of Facilities. He replaces Rick Masloski upon his retirement after he dedicated 10 years to Prairie Lakes. Dahl plans, directs, supervises, and evaluates the infrastructure and physical plant management at PLHS.
Dahl joined Prairie Lakes in 2015 as a Certified Maintenance Technician, was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor, and spent the last 3 years mentoring under Masloski’s supervision.
Dahl grew up in Watertown, SD, graduated with a degree in Robotics from Lake Area Technical College and is a licensed Journeyman Electrician. Josh enjoys spending time with his wife Amber, son Conner, and family. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching youth baseball, golfing, and cheering on his favorite sports teams.
“I look forward to supporting a safe environment for both patients and staff at PLHS by assuring the facilities will perform the functions as designed and constructed.”
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Thursday, August 25, 2022
Prairie Lakes Elects Two New Board Members
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors has elected Diane Stiles and Jesse Peterson to serve on the board. They bring diverse leadership experiences to the Board of Directors and will each serve a 3-year term.
Diane Stiles has 15 years of experience in technical education and economic development and has been serving Lake Area Technical College as Vice President since 2014. Stiles is active in National Community College initiatives which include the Aspen Rural Colleges Advisory Committee, Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, and the Pathways Institute. She stays busy following her passion for volunteering to assist with education, youth, and economic development activities and organizations including H20-20, Mount Marty Watertown Advisory Committee, Junior Achievement, and the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year. Stiles and her husband, Asa, live in Watertown with their three children, Henry, Charlie, and Clara.
Jesse Peterson has been in the banking industry for 20 years and has served as the Chairman & CEO of, what is now, Prairie Sun Bank for the last 14 years. Prairie Sun Bank has four banking locations serving west/central Minnesota. Jesse and his wife Kimberly live in Watertown with their five children, Abigail, Wyatt, Weston, Nola, and Beau. He stays busy helping coach his kids in their various athletic activities. In addition to his role on the PLHS Board of Directors, Jesse serves on the finance council of Holy Name Catholic Church and the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls along with being a board member of the Immaculate Conception School Foundation.
“The Prairie Lakes Board of Directors welcomes Diane and Jesse, and we are excited to have them join us. They are both respected leaders in the community and region, and we look forward to having their individual talents and expertise to contribute to the Prairie Lakes vision of being the keystone of the community,” said Robb Peterson, Chair of the Prairie Lakes Board of Directors.
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors is comprised of 13 volunteer community members who are dedicated to fulfilling the mission, vision and values of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, an independent, not-for-profit, regional healthcare system. Board members are Robb Peterson (Chairman), Vince Foley (Vice Chairman), Mike Luken (Secretary), Chris Carter (Treasurer), Jim Redlinger (Past Chairman), Alan Christiansen, MD, Tammy Davis, Kristen Henderson, Scott Munger, Jon Oviatt, Mark Roby, Jesse Peterson and Diane Styles.
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Friday, August 19, 2022
Thursday's Blood Drive At Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Helps 99 Local Patients!
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System partnered with Community Blood Bank for a very successful Blood Drive today receiving 33 blood donations that will then go to help 99 patients in need in the Watertown community!
Thank you to everybody that participated in either donating blood or helping to make this event a success. If you or someone you know receives blood or blood products from medical treatment, we rely on local support to help replenish the units used, so it is available for other patients. With your support we can ensure our local patients receive the care, and blood, they need.
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Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Healthy Eating Habits at Boys & Girls Club
The Prairie Lakes Nutritional Services team at Sodexo was part of summer programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown this summer! They focused on teaching children of all age ranges the importance of eating right, balancing your nutrition, and learning about foods that can be just as nutritious as they are delicious. The kids loved the tips and tricks shared, almost as much as they loved the weekly snacks they helped prepare.
Lesson plans ranged from games, to cooking demonstrations, to group discussions appropriately based on the age range for that week’s class. To help keep the kids engaged, the dieticians offered several small prizes that aligned with the overall mission is establish a healthy and active lifestyle.
PLHS was happy to join forces with the Watertown Boys & Girls Club to support their "Healthy Lifestyle" core program. As a non-profit entity, PLHS connects with the community to provide education on relevant health topics throughout the year and we're always looking for creative and interactive ways to do so.
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