Category: Uncategorized

by Vonda Hamill

When you think of charitable gifting, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Cash is the usual answer, but there are other creative ways to donate to entities that you want to support.

In the five years that the capital campaign for the nursing home operated, donations came in several different forms. Gifts of grain and cattle are common in our area, although a campaign in an urban area would be baffled by that notion. Several donors planned with the local elevators and the livestock auction to average out an amount of their sale to be paid to the building fund. Proceeds of the sale of a personal cattle brand were gifted to the cause. Gifts of stock, bonds, and individual property were witnessed as well. In-kind gifts come from people who have a particular skill or asset that a campaign can utilize. For instance, the use of a downtown space as an office, sign-making skills or printing equipment that can manufacture signs and help offset advertising costs. Of course, volunteering your time to an entity can be a remarkable gift, if feasible for all involved parties. It pays to approach the non-profit you are interested in and inquire about what kind of gifts they may be looking to acquire.

“The most unique approach to gifting,” commented campaign director Vonda Hamill, “was probably the gift of a personal oil painting of your choice in exchange for a cash donation.”

Frank Hansen, Albuquerque, New Mexico, took up oil painting in his retirement years. He took old photos of landmark buildings in the Haakon County area and created paintings of them. The paintings were left at Ginny’s coffee shop. Patrons could have a painting that they took a fancy to, in exchange for a donation of any size, to the campaign. “We saw several locals take home a painting of something that spoke to their childhood memories of Philip area, and we got a gift in return, it was really a great idea,” said Hamill. Then the donations started coming from folks in New Mexico, because Frank was doing the same thing in his own community.

More recently, Frank proposed that people can continue to acquire a painting if they wish, and they can choose the subject matter. He often paints childhood homes, favorite fishing spots, pets, and even cherished vehicles from photographs that he is supplied with by clients. He paints these subjects for free, the only caveat now is that the recipient makes some kind of donation to the Philip Area Health Foundation.

If interested, samples of Frank’s skill can be seen: paintings of what is often referred to as the Cutler Place from Northern Haakon County and the Plum Creek hay bottom are displayed in Ginny’s and the hallway to the Philip Clinic.

If someone is interested in obtaining one of Frank’s interpretations, they can contact Vonda Hamill at 605-859-2342 and find out the particulars about how to proceed. “It can be a really sentimental gift for someone, and the Foundation benefits from Frank’s talent and generosity as well,” summed up Hamill.

Notice of Non Discrimination

The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) celebrated its 98^th annual convention September 25-27, 2024, in Rapid City, South Dakota at the Monument Event Center. During the celebration an award luncheon was held to recognize affiliate society awards, in addition to SDAHO’s own Distinguished Service Awards (DSA). Recipients of the DSA Awards are nominated by their peers for their dedication to the healthcare profession and who have or continue to make a difference in the healthcare community.

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL OF 2024: Travis B Henderson, MD FACP, Internal Medicine – Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics

The Healthcare Professional of the year was presented to Dr. Travis Henderson of Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics.  Travis Henderson, MD, FACP is a general internist practicing at Mobridge Regional Hospital in Mobridge, SD.

After graduating from Mobridge High School, he earned a biology degree from South Dakota State University, and then obtained his medical degree from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine Magna Cum Laude in 1997. Following that, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force and completed the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. His next assignment was Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he practiced general Internal Medicine and taught medical residents at St Louis University School of Medicine. During this time was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2004, he and his family relocated to Mobridge, SD where he has been practicing since.

Dr Henderson is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at USD Sanford School of Medicine and teaches 3rd year medical students as a site coordinator for the Frontier and Rural Medicine program.  Dr Henderson is certified in Pediatric Advance Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support and is an Advanced Cardiac Life Support instructor.

He and his wife have four daughters and make their home in Mobridge.  He serves the Mobridge United Congregational Church as the Cabinet Moderator and is on the Mobridge-Pollock School Board, and Mobridge Regional Hospital Board of Directors.  In his spare time, Dr Henderson enjoys hunting, camping, and spending time at his daughters’ activities.

STATE LEGISLATOR OF 2024: State Senator Bryan Breitling (R), Miller SD (District 23)

Senator Bryan Breitling was elected to the South Dakota legislature in 2020 and has led efforts to support healthcare while serving as Vice-Chair of the Appropriations committee. He has championed increases for nursing homes, and healthcare workforce education investments in western and northeastern South Dakota. He has supported the development of palliative care services and other enhancements to the long-term care system, and changes to the medical cannabis program.

Throughout his time as a lawmaker, Sen. Breitling worked year-round to ensure state resources were used to support healthcare and other state needs. He helped develop the plan to ensure Medicaid Expansion was fully funded when it was implemented.  He helped steer the committee toward fair funding practices for providers that rely on Medicaid while balancing other needs for the state budget. He has volunteered for various leadership roles pertaining to healthcare, including co-chairing a summer study to look at the state’s medical cannabis laws.

Outside of the state legislature, Sen. Breitling served as the administrator for Avera Hand County hospital in Miller, SD until recently when he transitioned to Avera hospitals in Dell Rapids and Flandreau.

STATE TRUSTEE OF 2024: Larry Gabriel, Board of Directors Philip Health Services

Larry Gabriel has served on the Philip Health Services Board of Directors since 1993.  His knowledge of the state and support of the facility has never wavered over his 30 years of service.

Larry was the driving force in a fundraising campaign for a new facility to replace the aging acute care hospital. In 2002, this community-wide project received the Outstanding Philanthropic Community Award from the state of South Dakota.

Larry began his government career as a county commissioner in 1974. He would later serve in the South Dakota State House of Representatives, lasting 16 years, with two of those as the House Majority Leader. Larry was also appointed to serve as South Dakota’s Secretary of Agriculture from 2000 to 2007.  Larry attended South Dakota State University earning a degree in economics.

Larry was born on a ranch near Philip, South Dakota where his family ranched. Larry still resides on his family’s ranch which still operates today.

Larry has 2 children and 6 grandchildren and when he is not serving others, he loves to travel and has been to all the states in our country, except 7, which he still plans to visit.

QUALITY CHAMPION OF 2024: Stacey Erickson Vice President of Quality

Nursing Service Line Administrator Avera Health

For nearly three decades, quality has been a major facet of Stacey Erickson’s career, first as a nurse, then as a Director of Nursing, both in system-wide quality leadership roles. Today as Vice President of Quality for the entire Avera system, a role she’s held since 2015, Stacey oversees infection prevention, accreditation, patient experience, clinical documentation improvement, and utilization review, seeing them all as important contributors to an overall safe and positive patient journey. Stacey is responsible for the system oversight of federal reimbursement programs related to the quality of patient care and leading system strategic initiatives to permeate all Avera patient care locations, resulting in positive patient outcomes.

During her tenure, in both 2019 and 2021, Avera was named to the prestigious 15 Top Health Systems list by IBM Watson Health, and Avera McKennan as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals (2021). This list recognized excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency and patient experience. In addition, numerous Avera hospitals and long-term care centers have been named 5-Star facilities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a year-by-year basis.

Stacey holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from SDSU and later earned an MBA from the University of St. Mary with an emphasis in leadership and organization health.

STATE OFFICIAL OF 2024: Mary S. Carpenter, MD FAAFP, State of South Dakota (Retired June 2024)

The State Official for 2024 was presented to Dr. Mary S. Carpenter, with the State of South Dakota. Before retiring in June of 2024, Dr. Carpenter served the State of South Dakota for more than a decade, with her titles including Medical Director for the South Dakota Medicaid Program, Medical Director for the South Dakota Correctional Health Program for inmates in the custody of the state, and Medical Director for the SD Department of Health.

While serving in these behind-the-scenes roles, Dr. Carpenter was always looking to improve processes and policies to help people get access to healthcare, including with the hospital systems.

serving the inmate population can be especially challenging for several reasons. No matter the circumstances that brought an inmate into custody of the state of South Dakota, Dr. Carpenter advocated for the best care possible to improve the health of individual inmates and the broader inmate population

Mary served in various ways to develop solutions to public health issues. She was a key part of the state’s response to covid-19. Dr. Carpenter was a member of the First Lady’s task force on infant mortality in 2011 and part of the working group that set up the state’s infant, child, maternal and violent death mortality review processes.

Dr. Carpenter attended the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, with residencies and postdoctoral work with Tulsa Medical College in Tulsa Oklahoma. She attended Armour High School and today calls Winner, South Dakota Home. She enjoys spending time with her 11 grandchildren, needlework, reading and traveling.

HEALTHCARE HERE OF 2024: Dr. Stephen Tamang Director of Addiction Medicine and Community Health Services, Monument Health

Dr. Tamang is a dual board-certified physician in family medicine and addiction medicine. Since joining monument health in 2014, he has held multiple key roles, including Ambulatory Physician, Urgent Care Physician, Hospitalist, and Director of Addiction Medicine and Community Health Services.

Dr. Tamang has shown great vision and leadership in the creation of the Patient Centered Medical Home and the Addiction Medicine Services at Monument Health and serving the Black Hills area.  His vision for serving these at-risk populations in the Black Hills has heightened awareness of need for services in the West River area.

In 2018, Dr. Tamang founded a company, Project Recovery, targeting the opioid crisis, growing it

from three to 20 employees and achieving national impact through its acquisition in 2024. Dr.

Tamang served as a fractional CEO for Project Recovery while working as a physician for

Monument Health. The successful sale of this company in 2024 enabled its mission to expand

nationally, enhancing the scope and impact of addiction medicine services.

Dr. Tamang received multiple accolades for his professional excellence, such as the Clinical Excellence Award (2023) and the Distinguished Clinician Award (2024) from Monument Health, reflecting his peer-recognized contributions to medical practice and management.

Outside of work Dr. Tamang is passionate about chess and actively competes in tournaments across the state. He also serves on the board of the Cornerstone Rescue Mission, in addition to serving as President for Journey On! A Rapid City group works to make a positive impact in the community.

HEALTHCARE JOURNALIST OF 2024: Alex Strauss, Editor and Co-CEO, Midwest Medical Edition

Healthcare journalist Alex Strauss has been covering and promoting healthcare in the South Dakota region for more than 25 years.

As a fledgling Sioux Falls TV reporter in 1990, she launched her station’s first regular healthcare segment and produced multiple award-winning pieces before pivoting to print journalism.

In 2000, Alex launched the first regional magazine for healthcare professionals in the upper Midwest and is now the co-CEO and Editor at Midwest Medical Edition, also known as MED, which provides healthcare industry news digitally and in print to more than 13,000 subscribers across five states.  Through MED’s print and digital magazine, eNews Distribution service and social media channels, Strauss has fostered a vibrant community of healthcare professionals in our region with essential resources and services.

Strauss has also written for national and international news outlets including NewsLink, MSNBC, Cancer Monthly, NPR, the BBC, and the Guardian but is proudest of the work she has done to support the health of South Dakotans and the work of South Dakota healthcare professionals.

With a lifelong career in healthcare journalism, Strauss continues to demonstrate unwavering dedication to covering health and medical news across South Dakota and the surrounding states.

Strauss is the daughter of a pediatrician and holds an MA in Broadcast Journalism from American University.

In her off time, Alex enjoys practicing agility with her dog Tegan, hiking outdoors, and trying new recipes from around the world.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF 2024: Kasara Sutton, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services Aberdeen Medical Center

KaSara started with Sanford Aberdeen in 2013 as a Patient Care Technician.

KaSara has made multiple contributions to the professional advancement of nurses, the nursing profession, and improvement of the general welfare of nurses. KaSara goes above and beyond to ensure that staff and patients feel respected and that their best interest always come first.

KaSara continues to bring forward new ideas to improve care, efficiency, and satisfaction. She has grown into her Director of Nursing role and continues to learn and grow each and every day. She has led her teams through Remote RT go live, Omnicell go live, onboarding of international nurses, onboarding of a very large group of new graduate RN’s.

KaSara graduated from SDSU with a BSN, and later went on and obtained a master’s in nursing education and clinical Nurse Leadership. Kasara has built a leadership team beneath her and continues to assist them in being successful in their roles. There is no challenge too large for Kasara to tackle and overcome successfully. She does so with poise and confidence which makes her thoughts and opinions well respected.

Kasara serves on the Safe Harbor Board of Directors, the SDONL District 2 Chair, and is active on the SDNA District level.  She advocates for what is best for the profession and the organization.

Outside of work, KaSara is active in the united way, and she enjoys spending time with her family and four dogs, cruising around in her 1974 Volkswagen van named Stevie.

POST-ACUTE CHAMPION OF 2024: Doug Ekeren, President/CE Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton Region

Douglas R. Ekeren is the Regional President and CEO of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in the Yankton region and has been since 2014. Doug has been a visionary leader for the Long-Term Care Strategic Business Unit (SBU) at Avera.

Doug’s leadership of the Long-Term Care SBU for Avera has resulted in continued collaboration with communities, other providers and the wider network of post-acute professionals.  This collaboration proved to be invaluable during the public health emergency, and these ties have only continued to strengthen post-pandemic.

Doug is a strategic thinker who considers innovative ways to deliver and promote high quality care delivery, and he’s eager to share those insights and ideas as an advocate and champion for long-term care.

Doug has 36 years of experience in health care leadership. After receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health care/hospital administration, Doug began his career as CEO of Pioneer Memorial Hospital at Viborg in 1988. He then joined Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in 1993 and held various vice president positions until being named Regional President and CEO in 2014. In recent years, he also served as top administrator of Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell from 2020 to 2023, in addition to being Avera Sacred Heart’s top leader. For 30 years, Doug held licensure as a nursing home administrator.

Under Doug’s leadership, Avera added an infection prevention specialist specifically focused on long-term care. Doug launched a system-wide approach to standardize policies and best practices, improve quality, and leverage human resources across the system. Other goals included maximizing telemedicine resources and integration of pharmacy services, therapy and technology for long-term care.

Avera operates nursing homes in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. Doug stays up to date on policies and proposed legislation in all these states as well as the federal level.

Doug is a native of Gayville, South Dakota.  He received his bachelor’s degree in health services administration from the University of South Dakota and a Masters in Hospital Administration from the University of Minnesota. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Doug currently serves on the boards of Yankton Thrive, Avera Health Plans, Avera@ Home, South Dakota and Montana Make-A-Wish, and the South Dakota Board of Technical Education. He has been married to his wife Karen for 39 years and has 3 adult children and 9 grandchildren.

HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD: Jeff Partridge, South Dakota Board of Regents, Rapid City, SD

Regent Partridge has dedicated his life to service in the community and the state of South Dakota for decades. Most recently, is his work in shaping the vision for the West River Health Sciences Center in Rapid City and working to bring that vision to life. This collaboration between Black Hills State University and South Dakota State University’s nursing program has enabled students who desire to complete their nursing education and training close to their home in Western South Dakota now can do so in a state of the art and high caliber center for learning and education.

Regent Partridge has always worked closely with communities and industry partners to listen to and understand the needs of not only the healthcare community but the broader community at large. His passion for health, wellness, and a heightened quality of life has all contributed to the work he’s done to bring forward additional opportunities Rapid City and the healthcare community. Regent Partridge has truly modeled the quality of servant leadership in the positions of influence he has held.

Regent Partridge served in the South Dakota legislature from 2014 to 2021, representing district 34 in rapid city. During his time there, Regent Partridge was a champion for healthcare, supporting bills to help promote future healthcare professionals. As a member of the South Dakota board of regents, he continues to be an advocate for healthcare and our state’s future workforce. Regent Partridge’s leadership and deep knowledge about the power of partnership helped move many projects from concept to reality.

LARRY VEITZ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Tammy Miller, CEO, Madison Regional Health System

Tammy Miller has worked for Madison Regional Health System for 44 years. Tammy moved to Madison, South Dakota to attend college at Dakota State University, she joined what was then the Madison Community Hospital her sophomore year, earning the role of Administrative Assistant, a position she held for 16 years.  After earning her master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota, she spent a short stint as CEO of the hospital in Dell Rapids but returned to Madison where her career spanned 4 decades as the CEO.

Recently tammy announced that she will be retiring.

Tammy leaves behind not only a legacy of excellence through her leadership, but she oversaw the construction of a 110,00 square foot hospital built in 2015.

Tammy has served on many boards and service groups throughout her career both at the local, state and national level. Tammy was named as one of the 71 critical access hospital CEOs to know by Becker’s Hospital Review in 2016, 2018 and in 2023.  Madison Regional Health System has been ranked in the top 20 of all critical access hospitals in the nation three times, in 2014, 2015 and 2022.

Through the years, Tammy has held her staff in high regard praising their dedication for providing top quality care the hospital strives for.

Tammy and her husband Mike have 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren. When away from the office Tammy enjoys spending time with family, and after retirement she and her husband Mike are looking forward to traveling more.

SDAHO created a special celebration video that included Tammy’s staff, friends and family, which can be viewed here.

Congratulations to all the 2024 SDAHO Distinguished Service Award Recipients.

Vonda Hamill, PAHF Director, presents Carmen Peterson with a $1,000 donation to the 437 Project.

Each year, over 48,000 people (about twice the seating of Madison Square Garden) take their own lives in the United States. This act leaves many more loved ones behind, struggling to cope with not only the significant loss of someone dear to them, but with many unanswered questions and difficulties accepting the situation they now face.

The 988 Helpline is a nationwide calling center providing 24/7 crisis response to anyone in mental distress. It can be reached through calls, text or chat. Caring counselors answer these worrisome calls. The website helplinecenter.org/loss provides grief information, connections to resourses and a community of shared loss.

In South Dakota, the crisis line answered 10,800 contacts in 2023. Suicide is the leading cause of death in South Dakota residents aged 10 to 24 years. The SD Helpline Center provides many resources and support programs for residents of the state. School-based Hope Squads (peer to peer counseling) as well as mental health trainings for healthcare workers. Suicide postvention and aftercare services are also provided for those loved ones left behind.

Enter the 437 Project. This event provides direct funding to our own state’s helpline and its causes, helping train the volunteer counselors and providing the programs to complete their mission. The 437 Project was initiated in 2021 and strives to raise awareness about physical and mental wellness and the connection between the two.

A group of 12 runners made up of South Dakota community leaders will undertake a relay-style journey that leads them across the 437 miles of South Dakota over four days. Team members connect with communities along the way, braving weather and terrain changes while raising awareness and funds. They will run from Rapid City to Sioux Falls September 19-22. The course will lead them through part of Haakon County, near Bridger, along Highway 34.

Philip’s own team member, Carmen Peterson, joins the 437 Project team this year. Peterson and her family have promoted a culture of running in their own home. She has set and successfully completed many personal goals in her running career and is no stranger to running for a cause. Peterson says that running is her main driver for both physical and mental health.

There is a powerful connection between physical activity and mental health; the mission of this event seemed like a perfect fit. America’s mental health crisis has escalated in recent years, making suicide prevention and awareness even more important to address.

She and her teammates pledge to not only complete the grueling athletic event, running an average of 10 miles for each runner on each of the four days, but they also commit to raising $10,000 apiece for the Helpline.

Philip Area Health Foundation is proud to help sponsor Peterson in this important event by presenting her with a $1,000 gift. If you are interested in helping or would like more information, you can go to the website at www.the437project.org.4

The Helpline Center is South Dakota’s leader in suicide prevention and response. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call 988 anytime, day or night. All South Dakotans have access to the crisis line all day, every day. The service is free and confidential.

Pictured is the Health Equity Team from PHSI, back row, Karlie Nelson and Abbi McDaniel; front row, Huaquin Laurido, Vonda Hamill, PAHF Director, Haley Ehlers and Ashley Slovek.

Imagine yourself in the emergency room of an unfamiliar community. You have experienced an accident. Your personal belongings are stranded in a vehicle that is no longer with you. Thankfully, your injuries are minor, and the staff has taken diligent care of you. You are lucky! However, you are being discharged and have no immediate availability for family members or friends to assist you for the next 24 to 48 hours.

The Hans P Peterson Memorial hospital is categorized as a critical access hospital (CAH), a designation that comes from its isolated geographical location. Because it is a CAH, this described scenario may play itself out several times a year, particularly in the summer months when traffic is heavy on the state’s highways.

The emegency room (ER) staff at Philip Health Services (PHSI) often use their personal resources to ease the immediate inequities for food, shelter, and lodging that strike travelers who are brought to the hospital for care. Haley Ehlers, RN, and Case Manager for PHSI, invited colleagues to help establish the PHSI Health Equity Team in February 2024.

“Because transportation needs and food insecurities often accompany patients in the ER upon discharge, we decided to form a committee to assess and alleviate those situations whenever possible,” she stated. The team identified several areas that can utilize assistance, but chose to start small, utilizing donations to buy gift cards to local businesses for food, gas, and lodging until such time as a discharged individual can get back on their feet and family can arrive, or make financial connections for them.

The Health Equity Team contacted Philip Area Health Foundation (PAHF) for seed money to proceed with the purchase of gift cards from local businesses that can provide food, fuel, and shelter. These cards will begin to be distributed to discharged patients in need in July.

At the annual Prime Rib Benefit and Auction, held April 13 at the Kadoka Auditorium, the Philip Area Health Foundation (PAHF) presented Kadoka Care Center (KCC) Director Heidi Coller with a check for $5,000.
The KCC made a request to PAHF for assistance in the purchase of an oxygen concentrator and vitals monitor. “It is the goal of the PAHF to be able to help with projects just like this,” stated Foundation director Vonda Hamill, “We formed the foundation to be used as a vehicle to funnel cash gifts to any health entities in the area that have a need to improve the quality of the care they provide.”

If you are interested in making a contribution to the Philip Area Health Foundation to assist in their efforts, contact Vonda Hamill at (605) 859-2342, or email vhamill@monument.health

KCC Director Heidi Coller accepts a gift from PAHF board member Jennifer Henrie.

The Philip Area Health Foundation recently held their regular meeting and welcomed two new board members into the fold of the organization.

Tate Guptill and Emily Kroetch joined the nine-member board in March. “We are grateful that community members are willing to set aside their personal time to help us have a well-rounded group of people to navigate the journey for the Foundation, “says Foundation director Vonda Hamill. “Because we have a large board, we have good diversity, but we also need good people in the wings to fill seats when they become vacant. We are glad to have Tate and Emily fill out our current board.”

Tate Guptill and Emily Kroetch have joined the Philip Area Health Foundation as two of its newest members. Pictured are, back row, left to right, Dillon Kjerstad, John Knutson, Roger Porch, Tate Guptill, Marion Matt and Ray Smith; front row, Vonda Hamill, Director, Emily Kroetch, Krista O’Dea, Jennifer Henrie and Jenna Finn. Not pictured, Chuck VanderMay.

Philip Health Services is thrilled to announce that it has received the 2024 Customer Experience Awards from Pinnacle Quality Insight. This recognizes Scotchman Living Center and Silverleaf Assisted Living Center’s outstanding performance and solidifies their position in the top echelon of care providers nationwide.

“It is our pleasure to congratulate these two Philip Health Services facilities for their well-deserved achievement in winning the Customer Experience Award,” says Bud Meadows, HCP’s CEO. “As this award is based on customer feedback, it demonstrates the dedication that they have towards providing its customers with an exemplary experience while ensuring their clients have well-trained, compassionate caregivers.”

Qualifying for the Pinnacle Customer Experience Award signifies that Scotchman Living Center and Silverleaf Assisted Living Center have consistently ranked within the top 15% of care providers across the nation over the past 12 months. This achievement underscores their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to residents and their families.