The 27th Annual Hospital Hill Run took place on Saturday, June 8th with a 5K run, 5K walk, a 1-mile Kids Race, and a 1-mile walk for all ages. There were 79 timed 5K runners, 23 5K walkers, eight children signed up for the Kids Race and 32 one-mile walkers.
Fastest 5K male runner was Tucker Lunde with a time of 17 minutes 41 seconds. The fastest 5K female runner was Grace McElroy with a time of 20 minutes 54 seconds.
Thank you to our sponsors, donors, and volunteers who helped make the event such a success. Because of your generosity, we are able to donate $2,650 to the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House to help further our mission to provide safe, affordable, and convenient accommodations to patients or their loved ones receiving treatment at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.
The Hospital Hill Run Committee awarded Lisa Dahl, Executive Director of Prairie Lakes Foundation and her team with a check on the steps of the Caring Club House. The Hospital Hill Run Committee includes Shannon B., Jaidison T., and Lydia Newman from Marketing along with Dr. Dan Reiffenberger from Administration, Chief Tim Toomey (WPD) and volunteers Tom & Sue Beaudry.
The new Prairie Lakes Dialysis Unit is now open on the first floor, in the area that was most recently the CCU Unit. The CCU Unit was moved to second floor earlier this year. The new unit can be accessed through a new entry near the North entrance designed specifically for dialysis patients. Now, our dialysis patients no longer need to walk down long hallways and ride the elevator to receive their treatment.
Dialysis patients were welcomed into the new unit Monday, June 3rd and they are already appreciating the new space. Jan Hansen, Director of Dialysis shared, "Patients have a more private space which allows for a more comfortable setting while receiving dialysis treatment. The privacy also allows providers and staff to have more delicate conversations if needed while they are dialyzing verses having to wait until treatment is complete and then having to find a private space."
In addition to a more pleasant environment for the patients, the remodel design focused on our staff's needs as well. Jan added, "There is more working space, each nurse has a designated space to work at each day, providers, dieticians, and social workers have a designated working space as well." Dr. Tina Melanson, Nephrologist, shared, "There are computers in every dialysis room so documentation of their treatments can happen efficiently. It also allows an at-the-ready view of past dialysis treatments to review any prior dialysis complications."
In addition, the remodel allowed the Dialysis Unit to grow from an 8-chair unit to a 10-chair unit meaning we can now treat additional patients in need.
Dr. Melanson stated, "The new dialysis unit is definitely more modern and up to date than the previous unit. This shows Prairie Lakes’ commitment to keeping up with changing times and striving for state-of-the-art care."
WATERTOWN, S.D. – June 3, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic is excited to announce the launch of Convenience Care at our Northridge location, offering a walk-in clinic service for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. This service is designed to provide high-quality, quick, and efficient care, ensuring that patients can receive the medical attention they need without needing to call for an appointment.
Important information about Convenience Care at Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic Northridge:
Dr. Dan Reiffenberger, Chief Medical Officer at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, shared, "We understand that life's minor medical issues often arise unexpectedly and can disrupt your day. With Convenience Care, we aim to provide a reliable and accessible healthcare option for our community, allowing patients to receive prompt care without the hassle of scheduling an appointment or debating on going to the Emergency Room or not."
Patients at Convenience Care can expect:
Convenience Care is part of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare access and providing high-quality, patient-centered care to the community. Whether you have a busy schedule or need immediate attention to a minor health issue, our Convenience Care clinic is here to serve you.
For more information about Convenience Care and other services offered at Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic, please click here or call 605-886-8482.
WATERTOWN, S.D. – May 31, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is pleased to announce Prairie Lakes Dermatology is now offering Mohs Micrographic Surgery, a highly effective and precise procedure for the treatment of skin cancer. This advanced technique provides patients with the highest cure rates for skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Mohs surgery, performed by Dermatologist, Dr. Jeffrey Smith, involves the systematic removal and examination of thin layers of cancer-containing skin until only cancer-free tissue remains. With on-site pathology, there is immediate examination that ensures all cancerous cells are removed while sparing the maximum amount of healthy tissue. This leads to smaller scars and better cosmetic outcomes.
Dr. Smith, who is double board certified in dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery, said, "We are dedicated to offering our patients the most advanced and effective treatments available.” He added, "This procedure represents the gold standard in skin cancer treatment, providing unparalleled precision and efficacy. Our goal is to deliver the best care possible close to home right here at Prairie Lakes, and Mohs surgery allows us to achieve just that."
The introduction of Mohs surgery at Prairie Lakes Dermatology Clinic underscores the commitment to providing state-of-the-art care to our local communities.
For more information about Mohs surgery or to schedule a skin consultation, please contact Prairie Lakes Dermatology Clinic at 605-882-7777.
Each May, National Speech-Language-Hearing Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) members in providing life-altering treatment.
PLHS has three incredible Speech-Language Patholgists: Kirsten Blackwell, Danielle Meyer, and Mariko Oro, who are available to treat disorders that affect speech, language, voice, cognition and swallowing. To learn a bit more about speech pathology and how this form of therapy works to support a patient's continuum of care, we recently sat down with Mariko Oro to hear her perspective. Click the link below to watch her video.
If you or somebody you know is interested in more information, please call Prairie Lakes Rehabilitation Services at 605-882-7700. Referral is necessary for appointments.
WATERTOWN, S.D. – May 20, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is excited to announce the offering of iovera° treatment, an innovative approach to reducing pain. The iovera° treatment, often referred to as cryotherapy, is a clinically proven, non-opioid, pain management solution that uses the body’s natural response to cold to reduce pain.
Austin Dale, CRNA and Pain Management Specialist at Prairie Lakes Pain Science Center said, “I’m thrilled to offer this innovative treatment to patients in our region.” He added, “We work closely with your orthopedic surgeon to develop a comprehensive plan to manage your pain. With iovera°, we can provide a pain relief option that can be done prior to joint replacement to enhance your recovery.”
Dr. Casey Johnston, Prairie Lakes Orthopedic Surgeon said, “we are excited to add iovera° to the pain relief measures we utilize for our joint replacement patients. Our team of surgeons at Prairie Lakes Orthopedics have always provided advanced pain management measures with minimally invasive techniques, rapid recovery programs, peripheral nerve blocks, and multimodal pain medication regimes. Cryotherapy with iovera° will be yet another great option to make joint replacement surgery as comfortable as possible.”
The iovera° system uses an innovative process from a targeted cold zone surrounding peripheral nerve tissue to immediately block the nerve from sending pain signals. The system is specifically designed to create a temporary, reversible nerve block. The iovera° treatment does not contain medicine and does not damage or destroy any surrounding tissue. The iovera° treatment is available by referral only.
To find out if the iovera° treatment is right for you, click the blue button below or call Prairie Lakes Orthopedics for a knee pain consultation at 605-882-2630.
These tests are not meant to take the place of regular medical care. Participants are encouraged to share their test results with their healthcare provider. Test expense can not be filed with insurance or Medicare. PLHS Lab will not forward any results to the participant's physician.
Beta hCG is routinely used to confirm pregnancy.
Cholesterol testing is recommended as a screening test to be done on all adults at least once every five years. It may be ordered alone or with another test called a lipid profile.
A full lipid panel is performed if details are needed about your cholesterol levels. This test includes an HDL level, LDL level and triglycerides level. An overnight fast is required for this test.
The test screens for A1C, which indicates how well you have controlled your diabetes over the last few months.
This test is used to determine your general health status and to screen for the following:
A CBC test helps determine general health status and screens for anemias and viral/bacterial infections.
This test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. High PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer.
A TSH test measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood.
This test is normally used in conjunction with the TSH test to help differentiate between hyper- and hypo- thyroidism.
Urinalysis can be used to reveal diseases that have gone under the radar because they do not produce obvious signs or symptoms. Urine is collected in the lab and tested for an array of disorders, including urinary tract infection, kidney disease and diabetes.
This is a general wellness test that screens for many diseases related to the kidneys, bones, liver, GI tract, and nutrition levels. An overnight fast is required for this test.
A Basic Metabolic Panel screens for many diseases related to the kidneys and GI tract. An overnight fast is required for this test.
Glucose testing can be used to screen healthy individuals for diabetes. Another reason for the screening is a temporary type of diabetes called gestational diabetes, which can develop when a woman is pregnant. An overnight fast is required for this test.
Walk-ins are welcome during business hours Monday through Friday or by appointment. For more information on the Prairie Lakes Direct Lab Access program, please contact the Prairie Lakes Laboratory Department at 605-882-7750.
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 Brown Clinic - Main location from 8:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, June 3rd.
Update: All donors will receive at $10 gift card to Subway!
Donation times are available from 8:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Check-in is in the Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic registration area.
To schedule your appointment, click the link below and select an available time. You can also call Community Blood Bank at 605-331-3222.
Yellow Rose Week, running June 3rd - 7th, is the primary fundraiser for the Suzanne Jacobson Memorial Fund, a service of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation. This fund provides grants to people with life-threatening illnesses in need of financial assistance.
Since its inception, the fund has provided over $523,000 through over 881 grants.
Deliveries are available in the Watertown area with an order of 6+ roses. To order bundles of roses, schedule a delivery, and purchase decals or yard signs click the link below:
Purchase a ticket for a chance to WIN this incredible package valued at $720! Package includes this beautiful chic egg chair, cozy table-top fire pit, and comfortable yellow throw blanket. Everything you need to sit in peace & solitude as you relax and unwind this summer.
A Special Thanks to Hi-Line Capital for donating yellow roses to patients at the Prairie Lakes Hospital year after year!
The Suzanne Jacobson Memorial Fund was created in memory of Suzanne Jacobson, a Watertown physician’s assistant and community healthcare advocate who lost her life to cancer in 1998.
For more information or to donate to the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation in support of the Suzanne Jacobson Memorial Fund, call Ashlyn at 605-882-7716 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
This year's "Love Takes Flight" program will include a brief, nondenominational spiritual dedication followed by the release of the butterflies. You will have the opportunity to honor your loved one's name and release a butterfly which symbolizes transformation, love, and hope.
Thursday, May 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Courtyard, 401 9th Ave NW, Watertown, SD 57201
Early registration is required to ensure we have adequate amount of butterflies for each participant. You may register online by clicking the button below or call 605.882.7714. To help cover the cost of this event, please feel free to donate via the form below or the night of the event. For each gift of $5 participants will receive one butterfly.
Register for "Love Takes Flight" Today!
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.
Update: All donors will receive a $10 gift certificate to Dairy Queen!
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.
On Friday April 26th and Saturday April 27th, nearly 50 surgical technologists from all across the state of South Dakota travelled to Watertown to attend the Association of Surgical Technologists’ South Dakota State Assembly Spring 2024 Conference held at Lake Area Technical College. This conference allows surgical technologists to network with others in the area, attend workshops and educational programs, and listen to multiple speakers from the area. Speakers included: Austin Dale CRNA, Dr. Eric Woolley, Dr. Keegan Maxwell, Dr. Svien Senne, Dr. Ellen Hopper, Dr. Nicholas Harms, Dr. Dalton McDaniel, Dr. Gregory Gerrish, and Wesley Grantham from Stryker. All attendees received 9 CE (continuing education) credits by attending the conference.
Stacey Vande Zande, CSFA, from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System organized the event, stating, “The SDSA AST Conference is a great opportunity for surgical techs to not only fulfill continuing education requirements, but also provide networking opportunities and the chance to learn about the latest and greatest surgical techniques.”
The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) was established in 1969 with the mission of ensuring quality patient care.
Today, AST is proud to acknowledge more than 55,000 members and represents the interests of more than 80,000 practitioners nationwide. AST actively promotes education for the profession; legislatively advocates for practitioner recognition; supports state-level constituent organizations; and has committed to students as the future of the profession.
As the oldest and most widely recognized professional organizations for surgical technologists, AST's primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists possess the knowledge and skill sets to administer the highest quality of care for every patient. Aeger primo!
The 27th Annual Hospital Hill Run is scheduled for Saturday, June 8th. All proceeds will support the Caring Club House located on the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System campus.
Registration includes a comfortable running shirt (pictured right). Registrants 12 and under will receive a youth t-shirt.
Grab the entire family and get outside for a morning of exercise, connecting with the Watertown community, and learning a bit more about our beautiful Caring Club House.
All 27th Annual Hospital Hill Run registrants will be automatically entered to win a $250 voucher to Trav's Outfitter. A perfect excuse to go shopping for a new pair of running shoes! In addition, a $10 "Trav's Bucks" coupon will be included in each race packet.
The Caring Club House is a convenient, comfortable, and affordable place to stay while either a patient or a family member is receiving medical care at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Guests of the Caring Club House are asked for a donation of $10 per person and $3 for each additional guest per family per night. The donation is waived for those who are unable to provide it.
If you’re interested in supporting the 27th Annual Hospital Hill Run and the Caring Club House with a donation, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Please, no pets, rollerblades, bicycles, etc. Questions? Call 882-7908.
Register For The Hospital Hill Run Here
If you prefer, you can download a Hospital Hill Run 2024 Registration Form and return it to Marketing at 401 9th Ave NW. You may also drop a registration form off at the Registration Desk just inside the Main Entrance. Please complete one registration form for each event participant.
WATERTOWN, S.D. – April 18, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is one of the first healthcare systems in South Dakota to implement Ion, a robotic-assisted technology for minimally invasive biopsies deep within the lung not accessible through a traditional bronchoscope.
Dr. Svien Senne, Pulmonologist at Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic performed the first three Ion assisted procedures today, April 18th, 2024. He is board certified in Pulmonology and sought extra training to perform this advanced procedure. “With this new technology during a procedure, we can achieve greater precision, extend our reach, increase stability, and provide answers sooner,” said Dr. Senne. “It tackles multiple complexities of lung biopsies, and I am thrilled to bring this advanced level of care to our patients.”
During a bronchoscopy with Ion, Dr. Senne uses the controller to navigate to the lung mass along a digitally planned path. The catheter can articulate 180 degrees in any direction to pass through small, difficult to navigate airways and around tight bends to reach all 18 segments of the lung.
Dr. Senne added, “Our goal is to expedite the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, alleviating patient anxiety and minimizing critical waiting periods. By utilizing this innovative technology, we empower patients with timely answers and treatment decisions.”
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. However, when found at an earlier stage, it is more likely to be treated successfully. For more information about Prairie Lakes Pulmonology and this new Ion technology, click here.