You may be looking for ways to resume some daily activities as safely as possible. It is important to understand potential risks and adopt prevention measures to protect yourself and reduce the spread of COVID-19.  There is no way to ensure zero risk of COVID-19 infection for individuals in their day-to-day lives.

Whether deciding to attend a community event or going to a backyard barbeque, individuals must weigh the benefits of attending or participating to a person’s social, emotional, and physical needs with the health risks to yourself and others.  An important factor to consider is whether COVID-19 spreading in the community. Individuals should look at the most recent case data, trends, and hospital capacity data available at covid.sd.gov to guide decisions.

Download the Social Activities Considerations Guide

The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors elected officers and elected new board members at its annual meeting in May.

Officers are Chair Robb Peterson, Vice President Shan Kruse, Treasurer Mike Luken, Secretary Vince Foley, and Past Chair Jim Redlinger. New board members Kristen Henderson, Paul Macek, and Scott Munger were elected to serve three year terms. Henderson, Macek, and Munger bring a diverse skill set and experience to the Board of Directors.

Henderson returned to Watertown in 2016 after spending a decade in research and development at a medical device company in Minneapolis. She helped her family’s company, Midwest Veterinary Service, expand to three clinics and currently manages all marketing efforts. Beyond her Midwest Veterinary Service responsibilities, Henderson works for Sparton and serves on the Watertown Area Community Foundation Board, the Friends of the Goss Opera House Board, Excite Board, and the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee. She and her husband Brooks have two young children.

Macek has over 35 years experience as a hospital and health system CEO and is connected to the region through family.  His wife Kathryn was born and raised in Britton to John and Beverly Owen who operated Owen Livestock and were partners in the former South Dakota Livestock in Watertown.   Currently Macek is the principal of PEM Advisors LLC, a consulting service focused on working with hospitals and health systems. Beyond his healthcare administration experience, Macek has served on various nonprofit and community boards through his tenure. In his spare time he enjoys serving community service organizations and woodworking. He and Kathryn live in the Minneapolis area and enjoy bicycle riding, traveling, and spending time with their grandson.

Munger is a Warner, SD native and is a Partner-Owner / Senior Investment Consultant for the national firm VisionPoint Advisory Group. His firm specializes in corporate retirement benefits and a financial planning process aiding those individuals and businesses seeking a higher degree of financial freedom and clarity. Munger also is a real estate developer, a NESD Chapter of the National Association of Financial Advisors Past-President, and has served the community through his board involvement at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. He is an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoys watching SDSU games and participating in other activities with his wife Kris and their three children.

 “Prairie Lakes and its Board of Directors are committed to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities we serve by providing exceptional healthcare services to Watertown and the region. These new board members are a great addition and will help lead Prairie Lakes into the future,” said K.C. DeBoer, President and CEO. “I am grateful for the contributions to Prairie Lakes by the board members who retired this year, including Dr. Bernie Hanson, Dr. Cathy Gerrish, Doug Sharp, and the late John Calvin.”   

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.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors has made a decision, for the safety of the guests and staff, to cancel BASH 2020.  This decision took careful consideration and follows COVID-19 Pandemic guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)

BASH is an annual gala fundraising event hosted by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, with much support from donors and volunteers.  Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation will be contacting all sponsors, donors, and ticket holders.  Contributions will be automatically applied to BASH 2021. Community members and businesses with reservations, sponsorships, or donations may instead ask for a refund or ask for their donation to be applied to the general fund.

For questions, please contact Lisa Dahl, Foundation Director at 882-7631. 

Visit the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation’s Facebook page for dates and for other exciting details as we move forward with our planning of BASH 2021.  Proceeds from the 2021 event will be used to enhance pulmonology services at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.

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 and Sodexo, the provider of nutritional and environmental services at PLHS, are pleased to announce a new Nutritional Services Manager, Kathie Manzey.

Kathie Manzey has 16 years experience in the food industry through owning and operating a catering business. In her spare time, Manzey enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors with her horses and other animals. As the Nutritional Services Manager, she will manage the food service department, including the kitchen, retail services, and patient services like room service.

“I look forward to this new challenge in my career, as well as learning and growing in this role in healthcare,” said Manzey. “Our team will continue to provide delicious and nutritious foods for patients, visitors, and staff.”

Available options  include room service for patients staying in the hospital. Visitors are welcome to order room service as well and pay  upon delivery. Staff members and visitors also enjoy fresh action stations in the Prairie Lakes Cafe, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner as listed on the Weekly Menu.