JANUARY / JANUARY FEBRUARY FEBRUARY
Five Cybersecurity Myths in Healthcare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests
VOL. 17 NO. 1
News from Beyond the SD Border
2026 2023
Building from the Ground Up Monument Health Expands Subspecialty Care in Western South Dakota
Tommaso Cambiaghi, MD Keely Ulmer, MD National Distinction for Rural Hospitals
THE HIP DUO
Midwest Medical Edition
News & Notes from Across the Region
Elevating Orthopedic Care
JUNE
Balancing AI’s Risks and Benefits The Architectural Firm Designing the Future of Healthcare
VOL. 16 NO. 4
2025
The Risks of Missing Infections
The June E. Nylen Cancer Center vs Cancer in Siouxland
in the Black Hills
NOVEMBER
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
Discharging Against Medical Advice Inside the Black Hills’ Newest Taproom
The State of Palliative Care in SD
VOL. 15 NO. 7
A Quarter Century of Cancer Care in Watertown
2024
Kenneth Milligan, MD and Eric Krohn, DO APRIL / MAY
THE SOUTH DAKOTA
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VOL. 16 NO. 3
2025
LIFE IS Better er
WITH A TEAM YOU CAN TRUST We’re on your team to provide your patients with expert orthopedic care you both can count on. Sanford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has been recognized by the Joint Commission for providing the highest quality of patient-centered, advanced care that goes unmatched in the region. We offer more treatments and more specialties, including: • Sports medicine
• Podiatry
• Total joint replacements and revisions
• Concussion care
• Orthopedic oncology
• Joint injections
• Wide-awake hand surgery
• Hip arthroscopy and preservation
• Trauma surgery
• Robotic surgery
• Pediatric surgery
• Pediatric scoliosis and spine
• Foot and ankle surgery
Connect your patients to a full scope of orthopedic care. Visit sanfordhealth.org to refer a patient.
358-746-921 12/24
deformity care
CONTENTS
VOLUME 17, NO. 1 ■ JA N UA RY | F E B R UA RY
FROM US TO YOU PAGE 5 | Make-A-Wish Champion of Hope: Ashlee Blumhoff, SPRN-CNP, Sanford Children’s
PAGE 6 | This Month Online
Exclusive online content plus a full lineup of area healthcare events in 2026
PAGE 12 | NEWS & NOTES PAGE 15 | USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Jason Steere, PT, DPT
ON THE COVER
PAGE 18 | Five Cybersecurity
Building from the Ground Up
Myths in Healthcare: Protection Patient Data Beyond Compliance ■ By High Point Networks
Think your clinic is too small to be targeted? Believe HIPAA compliance equals security? Five common cybersecurity misconceptions that could put your practice and patient data at risk.
■ By Alex Strauss
Monument Health added 40 new physicians in the last half of 2025, shoring up access to care and bringing new specialties to the region. We’ll meet the gynecologic oncologist, cardiothoracic/ vascular surgeon, and colorectal surgeon who are building these new programs from the ground up.
PAGE
8
PAGE 20 | Beyond the Border: News from MED’s Multi-State Coverage Area PAGE 22 | Multi-Cancer Early Detection: What providers should know about the Galleri blood test The Galleri® test can detect over 50 types of cancer with a single blood draw, but who benefits most, how well does it perform, and should it replace traditional screening methods? Experts at Nebraska Medicine share their insights.
All the Best, Alex & Steff
Cover photo by Bob Slocum
CONTACT INFORMATION
Publisher / MED MAGAZINE, LLC Sioux Falls, South Dakota Vice President Sales & Marketing STEFFANIE LISTON-HOLTROP Editor in Chief / ALEX STRAUSS Staff Writer / KIM LEE Magazine Design / ANGELA CORBO GIER Client Relationship Manager / BARBIE MUNOZ Digital Media Director / HYA AMURAO
H
appy New Year from the entire team here at MED. We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to hit the ground running in 2026. We are! To kick off the new year, we’re focusing on some unprecedented growth in the Black Hills. Monument health saw a surge of news providers in 2025, including three who are bringing new subspecialties to the region. We’ll introduce them in this month’s cover feature. Also in this issue, five cybersecurity myths you need to know about in 2026 and more details on a blood test to detect multiple cancers, now available in our region. Of course, we have a roundup of all the news you might have missed during the busy holiday season, as well as a section dedicated to news from our wider multi-state coverage area. As MED continues to grow, we’ll be expanding our coverage of healthcare industry news to serve you even better. Watch for details in the next few issues and be sure to renew your print subscription at midwestmedicaledition.com/med-magazine if you like holding this publication in your hands!
STEFFANIE LISTON-HOLTROP VP Sales & Marketing 605-366-1479 Steff@MidwestMedicalEdition.com ALEX STRAUSS Editor in Chief 605-759-3295 Alex@MidwestMedicalEdition.com WEBSITE MidwestMedicalEdition.com MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 90646, Sioux Falls, SD 57109
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Sponsored by Children’s Nebraska
A New Era of Hope and Healing for Pediatric Mental Health A groundbreaking new chapter for pediatric mental healthcare has begun in Nebraska. The Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska is now open, establishing a worldclass facility offering the full spectrum of pediatric mental health services. This milestone marks a new era of hope for children, teens and families across the region. Built in partnership with the Mental Health Innovation Foundation, the center is nationally distinctive for providing comprehensive, integrated care in one dedicated space. “When you arrive, you can expect to be greeted warmly and fully seen and heard. This is the place to find support and connection,” says Renee Rafferty, LIMHP, senior vice president of Behavioral Health & Wellness. “We are happy to support the whole child and the whole family with the region’s most comprehensive offerings for pediatric mental healthcare and an innovative model in one place.” Through this innovative model, families can access every level of support they might need from crisis to recovery, through a single door.
A Full Spectrum of Integrated Care For many families, one of the greatest challenges is finding the right level of care at the right time. The Behavioral Health & Wellness Center brings primary care, crisis assessment, outpatient therapy, partial hospitalization and inpatient treatment together in a single facility. “Through one door, children, teens and their families can access every level of support they might need from crisis to recovery, whenever they need it,” says Renee. “Families can access any type of care in the moment, feeling safe, seen and heard. The Behavioral Health & Wellness Center solves this by offering a complete continuum of services, all seamlessly integrated within the Children’s Nebraska healthcare system.” This “no wrong door” approach ensures that any child from birth to age 19 who seeks help will receive it, eliminating the
confusion of navigating multiple entry points and ensuring timely assessments and a clear plan forward. This commitment to holistic support extends to wraparound services that address the full needs of the child and family.
A Place of Support and Connection Every aspect of the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center was intentionally planned to create a therapeutic environment where the physical space itself supports healing. The center embraces technology and innovation to enhance wellbeing and build resilience. Tools such as virtual and augmented reality therapeutics, therapeutic gaming and in-room sensory controls help patients develop healthy coping strategies and manage their environment. “The entire building was designed with healing in mind,” explains Renee. “We’ve integrated light, color, nature and design to reduce stress and support emotional regulation. Sensory-responsive elements ease distress and help children and families feel safe from the moment they enter the door. We will walk alongside you every step of the journey.”
A Vision Made Possible by Community The opening of the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center is a testament to community partnership and shared vision. It represents the culmination of immense effort, generosity and a belief in a better future for children’s mental health. “This facility and this space reflect the compassion and generosity of our community,” says Renee. “We are so grateful for donors and partners who believed in a more hopeful vision and a brighter future.”
Scan the QR code or visit ChildrensNebraska.org/BehavioralHealth to learn more about our new facility and full spectrum of pediatric mental health services.
YO U R H E A LT H : OUR M ISSION
YOUR HEART IS IN GOOD HANDS. Whe n it come s to your he a rt, eve r y s e cond cou nts . Which is why our exp e rience d ca rd i ol ogi s ts a nd cl i ni ca l sta f f a re a lwa ys right he re , w he n you ne e d u s mos t.
6 0 5. 8 82 . 7777 | p ra i r i e l a ke s . c o m
Make-A-Wish Champion of HOPE Ashlee Blumhoff, APRN-CNP, CPHON Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - Sanford Children’s
“
What kinds of reactions have you seen among patients and families you’ve referred to Make-A-Wish? In my many years here at Sanford and working with Make-A-Wish, I have been blessed to see so many kids granted wishes. Having an ill child affects the entire family. Families will often return from their Make-A-Wish experience and tell us they didn’t realize how much they needed that, that the entire family needed that. It is an opportunity where everyone just gets to enjoy each other, have fun, and for just a brief moment
in time forget the challenges that come with having an ill child. It is why I will continue to promote and refer families to this amazing organization.”
“
2025 TOP Referrer!
Why should other providers consider referring to Make-A-Wish? It gives patients and families something to look forward to when, in the moment, life feels very hard. We love when they come back excited to tell us about their experiences and show us pictures. In my mind, there is really no downside. It doesn’t cost the families anything and makes a huge impact in their lives.”
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A WISH?
A child between 2.5 and 18 | Has not received a wish from another wish-granting organization | Has been diagnosed with a progressive, degenerative, or malignant condition that is life-threatening
THIS MONTH ONLINE Articles and Resources Only on Our Website MidwestMedicalEdition.com
Exclusive Online Articles Uterine fibroids linked to elevated heart disease risk
Heart disease risk may be substantially higher among women with uterine fibroids compared to those without, find a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. READ MORE ABOUT THE FINDINGS AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR YOUR FEMALE PATIENTS IN THIS WEBSITE-ONLY ARTICLE.
South Dakota Rural Hospitals are Top Performers The Chartis Center for Rural Health released its 2025 Performance Leadership Award winners in celebration of National Rural Health Day in November. The Awards recognize top quartile performance among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes and Patient Perspective. This year, twenty-four South Dakota hospitals were recognized for Quality, seven for Outcomes, and thirteen for Patient Perspective. GO ONLINE TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS AND MORE ON THE CRITERIA USED TO CHOOSE THEM.
From SEO to GEO: Promoting Your Content In A Post-Search Era
In just a few months, change has dominated how web content is discovered and consumed. For years, the pipeline for organic traffic was simple: you run a search on one of the major providers, like Google, you take a look at the top few results, and you click the one that seems best. But with the rise of AI conversation engines, this model is adapting quickly, and the pace is speeding up. LEARN HOW THIS WILL IMPACT YOUR MARKETING EFFORTS IN THIS ARTICLE FROM BLEND INTERACTIVE.
Something NEW is coming! The healthcare landscape is changing in our region. It’s more critical than ever to be able to see the Big Picture. Here at MED, we’re committed to helping you do just that. As your finger-on-the-pulse of healthcare industry news and information in the Upper Midwest, we’re adapting to serve your needs even better. Stay tuned for the next iteration of the region’s premier source for healthcare industry news and information…
6
Get out your calendar
Digital Partners
Here’s a partial list of some key events for SD healthcare professionals in 2026. JANUARY 2026 JAN 20 MONUMENT HEALTH TRAUMA SYMPOSIUM Location: Monument Health Rapid City Hospitals Website: monument.health/ event/2026-trauma-symposium/ JAN 26 – 27 SDAPA PA DAY AT THE CAPITOL Location: Clubhouse Suites, Pierre, SD Website: sdapa.net/page/ dayatthecapitol JAN 28 – 29 SDAHO NURSE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Location: AmericInn by Wyndham Fort Pierre Conference Center Website: members.sdaho.org/ events/2026-nurse-leadership-program JAN 29 – 31 SD ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIANS (SDAFP) WINTER SEMINAR Location: The Lodge at Deadwood Website: sdafp.org/winter-seminar
FEBRUARY 2026 FEB 12 SANFORD HEART AND VASCULAR SYMPOSIUM Location: Fargo, ND Website: sanfordhealth.org/ classes-and-events/ sanford-heart-andvascular-symposium-2026
MARCH 2026 MARCH 6 SANFORD ENTERPRISE NEUROSCIENCE SYMPOSIUM 2026 Location: Courtyard by Marriott, Moorhead, MN Website: sanfordhealth.org/ classes-and-events/neuroscience-symposium MARCH 19 – 20 SD HFMA/AAHAM/MGMA SPRING SYMPOSIUM Location: TBA Website: sdsma.org/page1075916
MARCH 31 – APRIL 1 SDAHO POST-ACUTE PARTNERS IN CARE CONFERENCE Location: Sioux Falls Convention Center Website: members.sdaho.org/ events/2026-post-acute-partners-in-care-conference
APRIL 2026 APRIL 17 NORTH CENTRAL HEALTH CARDIOVASCULAR CONFERENCE Location: Sioux Falls Website: avera.cloud-cme.com/ content/conferences APRIL 29 – 30 5TH ANNUAL SD CHW CONFERENCE Location: Highland Event Center, Mitchell, SD Website: chwsd.org/2026annual-conferences/
MAY 2026 MAY 29 SDSMA ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Location: Sioux Falls, SD Website: sdsma.org
JUNE 2026 JUNE 24 – 25 SDAHO RURAL HEALTH LEADERS CONFERENCE Location: Pierre, SD Website: members.sdaho.org/ events/2026-rural-health-leaders-conference
JULY 2026 JULY 14 – 15 SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL NURSE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE Location: Arrowwood Resort, Chamberlain, SD Website: sdschoolnurses.org/ sdsna/events/
SEPTEMBER 2026 SEPT 10 – 12 SD PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION Location: Brookings, SD Website: acofp.org/ continuing-education/events SEPT 16 – 18 SDAHO 100TH ANNUAL CONVENTION Location: Sioux Falls Convention Center, SD Website: members.sdaho.org/ events/2026-annual-convention SEP 18 – 21 AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC FAMILY PHYSICIANS (ACOFP) UPPER MIDWEST REGIONAL SOCIETY MEETING Location: TBD Website: acofp.org/continuingeducation/events SEP 30 AVERA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONFERENCE Location: Sioux Falls Website: avera.cloud-cme.com/ content/conferences
OCTOBER 2026 OCTOBER 2 AVERA CANCER INSTITUTE ONCOLOGY CONFERENCE Location: Sioux Falls Website: avera.cloud-cme.com/ content/conferences OCTOBER 14 12th ANNUAL FALL FORUM (CO-SPONSORED BY THE CHWSD AND THE SD HEALTH LINK)
Location: Sioux Falls Website: chwsd.org/2026annual-conferences OCTOBER 29 – NOV 1 SD EMS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE Location: Sioux Falls Website: sdemsa.org/ page-1814864
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7
Building from the
Ground UP
BY ALEX STRAUSS
Monument Health’s Recruitment Surge Expands Subspecialty Care in Western South Dakota KEELY ULMER was
But Ulmer isn’t the only physi-
loading cattle trucks
cian with an unconventional path
in Winner, South
who has recently chosen Rapid
Dakota, when her
City as a destination rather than
parents called to say
a stepping stone. Between July 1
that the letter she’d
and October 1 last year, Monument
been waiting for
Health added 31 new physicians rep-
from the University
resenting 15 specialties—part of an
of South Dakota School of Medicine
aggressive expansion that brought
had arrived.
107 new providers over 27 months.
“They asked me if I wanted them
Among them are three bringing
to open it and I said ‘Sure, go ahead’,”
subspecialty services previously un-
recalls Ulmer, now a gynecologic
available or inconsistently available in
oncologist at Monument Health’s
the Black Hills: In addition to Keely
Cancer Care Institute. “I was sitting
Ulmer, MD, in gynecologic oncology,
there with a couple of truckers and
they include dual-trained cardiotho-
when I told them I had just gotten
racic/vascular surgeon Tommaso
into med school and they said ‘If you
Cambiaghi, MD, and colorectal sur-
don’t go, we’re going to be really mad
geon STEVEN DONAHUE, MD.
at you!’”
8
For patients in
It’s a fitting origin story for some-
western South Dakota,
one who has spent her career defying
the implications are
expectations—from the Pine Ridge
potentially huge —
Indian Reservation ranch where she
especially for those
grew up to a prestigious fellowship
fighting heart and
at the University of Iowa, and now
lung
back home to western South Dakota.
cancer.
diseases
or
FROM THE ALPS TO THE BLACK HILLS TOMMASO CAMBIAGHI, MD, had his pick of locations after completing dual fellowships in vascular surgery and cardiothoracic surgery. The Italian-born physician earned his medical degree at the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan. He completed his vascular surgery residency and fellowship at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas, followed by a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Houston Methodist Hospital. After years in Houston, Dr. Cambiaghi says he was ready for a place that felt more like home. “I am from a small town so, honestly, it was a bigger change to move from Italy to Houston than from Houston to here,” says Cambiaghi, who grew up skiing in the Alps. “The
MidwestMedicalEdition.com
Another procedure becoming less risky under Dr. Cambiaghi’s direction is Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis (TAMBE). Monument Health recently became the first facility in the world to perform this procedure through a vein instead of an artery, further minimizing surgical risk.
Coming Home For Keely Ulmer, MD, the decision to return to western South Dakota was never really in question, even though Black Hills aren’t quite the Alps, but
others tried to recruit her.
having to see multiple surgeons.
it is better than skiing in Houston!”
“The fact that I am trained in both
But his decision to join the Mon-
cardiothoracic and vascular surgery
ument Health Heart and Vascular
means that I can customize the treat-
Institute was about much more
ment for each patient—whether it is
than the landscape.
minimally or maximally invasive or
“I was also looking for a place that
a combination,” he explains.
would allow me to practice both of
His training also
the areas I’m trained in,” says Cam-
means he can offer new
biaghi, who has been here since
and potentially safer
September. “So I was focusing on
ways of doing older
smaller hospitals that might want
procedures, such as
to have a ‘two-in-one’ physician like
endovascular treatment
me.”
of complex abdominal
“I always planned to come back here,” she says simply. But her path into medicine was anything but straight. Before she got that letter from USD, Ulmer had spent time as a forest firefighter, worked as a livestock manager at a
“I always planned to come back
here ”
Keely Ulmer
In larger hospitals, cardiothoracic
aortic aneurysm. “These
and vascular surgery are typically
were historically treated
covered by separate teams. At Mon-
with big open surgeries that required
ument Health, Cambiaghi’s expertise
a long recovery time,” he says. “But
means patients can get a comprehen-
now we can do them in a minimally
sive and tailored care plan without
invasive way.”
sale barn, and waited tables—never imagining she was “smart enough” for medical school,
even
when
others suggested it. “I didn’t really think of myself in that vein,”
she says. “But I took the MCAT and did decently, so I thought I would give it a shot.” A graduate of Black Hills State University, Ulmer excelled at USD School of Medicine, graduating summa cum laude before starting a residency at the University of Iowa. She fell in love with gynecologic oncology during her training, which meant three additional years of fellowship. Despite the extended stay, Ulmer says she made sure South Dakota programs knew she was still coming back. “I was always reaching out to people saying, ‘Don’t forget me!’,” she says. “But after I went into my fellowship, it was the other way around.” She joined Monument Health this fall. As a member of the Oglala Lakota
JANUARY | FEBRUARY
9
Sioux Nation, Dr. Ulmer is especially passionate about Native women’s health and has worked with Dr. Dan Petereit’s long-standing Walking Forward initiative. The program focuses on cancer screening in Native American communities.
“I loved the area, loved the group, loved Monument ”
“I also think that representation mat-
earning his medical degree at USD and completing his residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The move to Rapid City had been in the works for years. “We always knew that we wanted to
Tommasco Cambiaghi
ters,” says Ulmer. “Lack of representation
end up here,” says Donahue, who grew up
was a big part of why I thought I couldn’t do this job. I’d
in Minneapolis. “My wife is from this area and we have
never seen people like me do it.”
family here. I don’t see us going anywhere after this.”
The need for gynecologic oncology services in this population is greater than ever. American Indian women in the Northern Plains have twice the incidence and four times the mortality from cervical cancer. They’re also more likely to have HPV strains not covered by current vaccines. Before Dr. Ulmer’s arrival, many patients with gynecologic cancers had to travel to Sioux Falls, Denver, or Billings for care. “One of the most exciting things is not only the fact that we can now offer more consistent gynecologic oncology services here, but that we have more treatment options than we did before, especially for recurrence,” says Ulmer. “There are new treatments such as immunotherapy for uterine cancer and antibody drug conjugates for advanced cervical disease that are showing promise in overall survival. It is an exciting time to be in this field.”
A Different Kind of System All three physicians say there was something more than professional opportunity that drew them to Monument Health. They say that the organization itself is changing for the better. “Coming from a major academic medical center, Monument Health is very impressive,” says Dr. Ulmer. who grew up knowing the hospital by its former name, Regional Health. “I feel like I have, arguably, an even better facility here than I did there.” “I’ve been happy with all the changes in leadership,” says Donahue, adding that Monument Health was the only hospital system in western South Dakota that could support the specialized work he wanted to do. For Cambiaghi, who interviewed at facilities across the
The Missing Specialty
country, Rapid City Hospital stood out. “I interviewed here
The arrival at Monument of Steven Donahue, MD, filled
almost by chance, but it turned out that I loved the area,
a gap that most people didn’t realize existed until they
loved the group, loved Monument,” he says.
needed it.
And just as “a rising tide lifts all boats”, the addition of
“Some of the things I do can be done by a general
new subspecialties and the expansion of others gives all
surgeon, but there are a specific few that haven’t been done
providers more opportunities to consult and collaborate on
here at any volume,” says Donahue, who also joined
complex cases.
Monument Health in September as the first fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon in Rapid City. While general surgeons have long performed colon resections in the region, Dr. Donahue brings specialized expertise
10
Dr. Donahue completed his fellowship at Creighton University in Omaha after
“As someone doing advanced ovarian cancer surgeries, I often lean heavily on other specialties like colorectal or general surgeons,” says Ulmer. “It’s important that they are there for support.”
in managing inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative
As they represent the newest subspecialties in the
colitis, Krohn’s disease, and IBS. For patients with severe
region, Ulmer, Cambiaghi, and Donahue are building their
ulcerative colitis, he can offer J-pouch total colectomies—a
programs from the ground up, establishing standards of
procedure that wasn’t previously available locally.
care, and paving the way for new providers in their fields.
Other new procedures Dr. Donahue has brought to the
For Dr. Ulmer, in particular, for whom the Black Hills are
region include minimally invasive trans-anal surgery for
home, the circle is now complete. She’s back where she
rectal cancer or polyps and minimally invasive ultra low
wanted to be, practicing at the highest level of her field,
anterior resection (ULAR) for very low rectal tumors.
and serving the communities that shaped her.
“This is a technically complex procedure but it can
“The Monument Health that we have now is a completely
preserve bowel function and allow patients to avoid having
different system than the health system of old,” says Ulmer.
to have a permanent colostomy,” he says.
“This cancer facility is state of the art. We have a beautiful
Looking ahead, Dr. Donahue hopes he’ll soon be trained
infusion center and a dedicated chemo-pharmacist. It’s
to offer single site robotic surgery for colorectal cancer, an
as good as anything you’d find in much bigger medical
approach that recently won FDA approval.
centers.” ❖
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Stronger Every Day After multiple medical challenges and prolonged hospitalizations in early infancy, this 10-month-old had torticollis, wasn’t sitting independently, and was struggling to bottle feed. With 3 weeks of intensive physical and feeding therapies, he is now demonstrating symmetric range of motion, sitting on his own, and eating baby foods for the first time!
Early intensive therapy can
make all the difference. Refer your patients today by calling 605.444.9700 or visiting LifeScapeSD.org
JANUARY | FEBRUARY
Therapy
11
NEWS & NOTES
Happenings around the region
News & Notes South Dakota | Southwest Minnesota | Northwest Iowa | Northeast Nebraska
AVERA
CHRISTINE ZALLAR
The BlueCross BlueShield Association has named several Avera facilities as Blue Distinction Centers for specialty care. Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls was recognized in five specialty areas including hip and knee replacement, bariatric surgery, adult kidney transplant (deceased and living donor), cellular immunotherapy and spine surgery. Avera McKennan also received the enhanced Blue Distinction Center+ designation for bariatric surgery and spine surgery, recognizing both quality outcomes and cost efficiency. Other facilities on the list include Avera Queen of Peace in Mitchell, SD, Avera Sacred Heart in Yankton, SD, Avera St. Mary’s in Pierre, SD, and Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, Minnesota.
BREANNA COUCH Breanna “Bre” Couch, RN, BSN, has been recognized with Avera Queen of Peace Hospital’s quarterly DAISY Award. The DAISY Program honors nurses who provide skillful and compassionate care. Couch has cared for intensive care unit patients at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital for the last five years and has been with Avera for 11 years total. She was nominated by the granddaughter of a patient who praised her exceptional care, patient advocacy, and mentorship of nursing students. A committee of Avera employees evaluates DAISY Award nominations and selects a winner every quarter.
MONUMENT Monument Health and Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (DCI) are celebrating one year of partnership. Launched in November 2024, the partnership supports dialysis operations at Monument Health facilities in Rapid City and Spearfish. Monument Health nephrologists provide physician oversight while DCI manages daily clinical operations. The partnership demonstrated its community value in October when the Hot Springs VA dialysis center closed unexpectedly due to utility issues. Monument Health and DCI welcomed all 17 affected patients within 24 hours, ensuring uninterrupted care. During the summer, the clinics also provided 57 treatments for visitors to the region, ensuring that dialysis patients traveling through western South Dakota could continue their care without disruption.
12
Christine Zallar, RRT, has been awarded Monument Health’s 2025 PHIL award. The Phil Award, The FACES Foundation’s signature program, is the only nationally recognized hospital-based recognition program dedicated to honoring outstanding respiratory therapists who provide exemplary care for patients with respiratory illnesses. Winners are nominated by patients, family members and other caregivers. Colleagues recognized Zallar for her compassionate care, clinical excellence, creation of comprehensive patient education resources, and commitment to maintaining the highest standards. Monument Health adopted The PHIL award in April 2023 to recognize respiratory therapists who are heart and lung specialists. Monument Health Rapid City Hospital has again earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, making it the only hospital in South Dakota to receive this distinction. Only 30 percent of U.S. hospitals achieve a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade of “A.” The grade is based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and
infections as well as preventable harm prevention systems. This marks another consecutive cycle of top-tier recognition for Monument Health Rapid City Hospital. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries. Grades are updated twice annually.
SANFORD Sanford Health recently surpassed one million virtual care visits across the system’s footprint since the initiative launched in 2011. Since that time, virtual care visits have saved patients more than 57 million miles in travel to and from appointments — 12 million miles alone in 2025. With access to 78 specialties, virtual care has been nothing short of a game changer for patients, especially in rural areas. One Sanford doctor noted that, for many rural patients especially, virtual care is their only access to care.
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BILL GASSEN Sanford Health President and CEO Bill Gassen has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare of 2025, marking four consecutive years on this list. Gassen, ranked No. 28, has led Sanford Health since 2020. The organization serves more than two million patients across the upper Midwest, operating 57 hospitals and 147 senior care communities. In 2025, Gassen led Sanford Health through mergers with Wisconsin-based Marshfield Clinic Health System and Watertown-based Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. This past year Sanford Health also expanded partnership with Lewis Drug and announced another landmark $300 million gift to help build a medical campus in Rapid City. Sanford USD Medical Center has received a Blue Distinction Center+ designation for Knee and Hip Replacement by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. This program identifies hospitals and ambulatory care centers that demonstrate expertise in patient safety, deliver better health outcomes, and are more cost-effective. Designated knee and hip replacement facilities deliver high-quality care, with an average of 21 percent fewer readmissions and 21 percent fewer complications within 90 days after surgery. Designated facilities also achieve cost savings of 30 percent for knee and hip replacements compared to other facilities.
JANUARY | FEBRUARY
Sanford Health has announced another landmark gift from Denny Sanford that will expand Sanford’s footprint in western South Dakota and the Black Hills. The $300 million gift will help establish the Sanford Black Hills Medical Center campus in Rapid City. The campus will include an emergency department, ICU, oncology center, comprehensive women’s health including labor and delivery, and children’s services. The Sanford Black Hills Medical Center will be located in southwest Rapid City, adjacent to the Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 with completion expected by 2030.
TRACY ROSS Tracy Ross, APRN, CNP, has joined the Sanford Jackson Clinic in Jackson, Minnesota as a family medicine provider. A native of Estherville, Iowa, Ross received her master’s degree from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky, and is board certified in family medicine by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Ross has special interest in women’s health and experience in hormone therapy, menopause care, and weight loss management. She also provides acute care services, chronic disease management, well child and well-baby visits and preventive care for patients.
TOMMY IBRAHIM Tommy Ibrahim, MD, executive vice president and president and CEO of Sanford Health Plan, recently led a discussion at the Cornell Health Policy Center’s Business Leader Roundtable in New York City. The roundtable brought together health care executives and policy experts to examine the future of Medicare Advantage and its impact on patients, payers and providers. Topics included how federal reimbursement policies shape plan strategies, the role of risk adjustment and quality bonus payments in rural communities, and opportunities for value-based care arrangements. Ibrahim earned his MD at St. Christopher’s College of Medicine.
BRAD REIMER Sanford Health senior vice president and chief information officer Brad Reimer was recently in Washington, DC, to take part in the HealthLeaders Chief Digital Executive Exchange, an exclusive, peer-focused forum for senior digital and information executives. Reimer’s panel focused on the evolving role of the CIO, exploring how technology expands access, supports the workforce, transforms care delivery and ensures sustainability. Under Reimer’s leadership, Sanford Health has strengthened its information security program, optimized efficiencies, and enhanced technical infrastructure to support a $350 million virtual care initiative. Reimer also pioneered a reverse rounding program connecting IT teams with frontline caregivers.
13
NEWS & NOTES
Happenings around the region
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, a division of Sanford Health, has been named to the inaugural Forbes’ Top Hospitals list for 2026, a national ranking of general acute-care hospitals recognized for delivering high-quality, safe and value-driven care. The Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list evaluates hospitals nationwide using publicly-reported quality measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including patient outcomes, hospital best practices, value, and patient experience. Of approximately 5,400 eligible U.S. acute-care hospitals, only 253 earned an overall 5-star rating, placing Prairie Lakes among a select group of high-performing hospitals across the country. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has once again earned a place on Newsweek’s America’s Best-In-State Hospitals list for 2026. The annual ranking, developed in partnership with Statista, recognizes hospitals that demonstrate exceptional quality, patient outcomes and strong reputation among both peers and patients. This year, 800 hospitals nationwide achieved scores high enough to be included on the list. The ranking evaluates facilities using four key components: quality of care and safety measures, reputation among medical professionals, patient experience survey results, and use of patient-reported outcome measures. U.S. News & World Report has included 10 Good Samaritan nursing homes on its 2026 Best Nursing Homes list with high performance ratings. Good Samaritan Society–St. Martin Village in Rapid City achieved high performance in both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. Other Good Samaritan facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota and Kansas also received recognition. Facilities were evaluated on performance data, peer recommendations, accreditations, and resident satisfaction. Out of 15,000 nursing homes evaluated across 33 states, only 1,200 met the criteria. Over 70 percent of Good Samaritan residents live in rural areas.
Your focus is them; our focus is you.
SIOUXLAND GREGORY D. KENNEDY
MARCIA EKWOROMADU UnityPoint Health has announced two key leadership appointments for oncology services. Gregory D. Kennedy, MD, PhD, will be the new Chief Medical Officer, and MarCia Ekworomadu, MPH, FACHE, will serve as Vice President of Operations. Together, they will guide efforts to align, strengthen and expand oncology services across Iowa and the Midwest to support the growing need for integrated cancer treatment and specialty expertise throughout the region. Ekworomadu most recently served as the Executive Director of Service Line Strategy for UnityPoint Health. Dr. Kennedy will assume his role in February 2026. He currently serves as the Chair of General Surgery and Director of the Cancer Network for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama.
Protecting the humans of healthcare.
800.421.1834
copic.com
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Jason Steere, PT, DPT
Degree: Master of Physical Therapy,
PhD in Health Sciences candidate
Current Position:
Clinical Assistant Professor/Interim Director of Clinical Education, University of Puget Sound School of Physical Therapy
UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s Outpatient Therapy Services has received an $11,735 grant from ‘Variety– the Children’s Charity of Iowa’ to buy and install an ADA-compliant, height-adjustable adult-sized changing table designed to support children and young adults served through outpatient rehabilitation. The new equipment addresses a longstanding need for a safe, dignified space for toileting and hygiene support during therapy sessions. The department provides rehabilitation services to patients of all ages across the Siouxland region, with specialized care for children and young adults with mobility, sensory, or developmental challenges. The project was developed and submitted by physical therapists in collaboration with UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Foundation. UnityPoint Health is the first healthcare organization to join a new AI program of Mayo Clinic Platform called ‘Mayo Clinic Platform_Insights’. Mayo Clinic Platform is a strategic initiative of Mayo Clinic that puts data and other Mayo Clinic resources in the hands of clinicians at other institutions. Mayo Clinic Platform_Insights features data-driven insights enabled by artificial intelligence, shared alongside Mayo Clinic’s best practices, guidance and support. UnityPoint Health team members also receive a variety of clinical and administrative resources such as point of care decision-support tools, patient and provider education, digital transformation guidance and more.
Jason Steere describes his career path as an “adventurous wander”. As a kid in Sioux Falls, he hadn’t intended to go to college. But after a stint in the military, Steere changed his mind and Enrolled at USD. “At first, I didn’t really know what direction I wanted to take,” he says. “But then I was in a car accident and got care from a chiropractor. That kind of turned me in the direction of healthcare.” Steere studied athletic training as an undergraduate and went on to earn a Master of Physical Therapy degree from the USD School of Health Sciences. His PT career started at a clinic in Las Vegas where he also interned with the LA Dodgers’ Triple A affiliate baseball team. Before long, Steere was tapped to be the minor league rehab coordinator for the Dodgers. When a Dodgers colleague got a job with the Seattle Mariners, he invited Steere to be that team’s major league PT. Steere spent four years with the Mariners. Along the way, he earned a transitional DPT and completed a fellowship. Today, he teaches in the School of Physical Therapy at the University of Puget Sound and has returned to USD to pursue a PhD in Health Sciences remotely. “I wanted to go to a program that I knew and trusted,” says Steere. “The last program I was in, I didn’t feel like they even knew my name or what my project was. USD is so different.” Steere says he appreciates the flexibility of distance learning and the ability to move at his own pace. But what he values most are the relationships he’s built.. “I ran into one of my influential former USD professors at a conference and she remembered me,” he says. “It was like seeing extended family. You might not talk to them for years but you know that they are always there.”
This SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT brought to you by
usd.edu/health
JANUARY | FEBRUARY
15
• Happenings around the region
News & Notes
NEWS & NOTES
Happenings around the region Hawarden Regional Healthcare in Hawarden, Iowa is among 12 MercyOne hospitals or affiliates to be honored with 2025 Performance Leadership Awards for excellence in Quality. Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top-quartile performance (75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Perspective. Hawarden Regional was recognized in the Patient Perspective and Outcomes categories.
HEATHER STEHR UnityPoint Clinic has announced that primary care provider Heather Stehr, ARNP, is joining the team at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine–Sunnybrook in Sioux City, Iowa. Stehr will offer primary care services in the Sunnybrook Medical Plaza and she is accepting new patients. Stehr enjoys gardening and volunteers as an official through USA Swimming and is an IHSAA Swimming Official.
JENNI FRIEDLY Jenni Friedly has been selected to serve as Chief Operating Officer for UnityPoint Health, effective immediately. Friedly most recently served as Market President of UnityPoint Health – Waterloo, where she brings 16 years of operational experience. She received her BSN from Upper Iowa University and her MSN from Allen College in Waterloo. Fiedly is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Academy at UnityPoint Health and serves on numerous non-profit boards and committees in the Cedar Valley. As COO, Friedly will be responsible for ensuring collaboration between all UnityPointHealth Markets.
INDEPENDENTS
New Beginnings Birth Center at Brookings Health System is enhancing local maternity care by launching the TeamBirth program, becoming the first maternity unit in South Dakota to implement the nationally recognized initiative. Developed by Ariadne Labs, a joint center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, TeamBirth focuses on shared decision-making. The model includes structured huddles between the doctor, nurse, patient and their support people at critical points during an OB stay. Decisions are captured on a communication board so all team members understand the plan of care.
AUSTIN HOERNER Austin Hoerner, RN, has been promoted as the new inpatient care and case management nursing director at Brookings Hospital. In this role, Hoerner coordinates and manages all aspects of care for inpatient, ICU, and swing bed patients as well as case management services at the hospital. He will work closely with physicians, nursing team members, and ancillary departments to promote optimal patient outcomes and ensure that every patient is progressing toward a timely and safe discharge. Hoerner holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Presentation College and became a registered nurse in 2018.
Brookings Hospital has been named to the 2026 Forbes Top Hospitals list, a new rating system which evaluates general acute care hospitals in the U.S. Brookings Hospital is one of only 253 hospitals across the nation to receive an overall 5-star rating from the media company and is the highest rated South Dakota hospital across all five quality measures. Forbes assessed 5,400 acute care hospitals based on healthcare quality measures from CMS.
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Brookings Health System has installed a new community-access naloxone distribution box at its emergency entrance with support from the Emily’s Hope Naloxone Program. This initiative expands access to naloxone across South Dakota and aims to prevent opioid overdose deaths. The Brookings Health System box is stocked with free doses of naloxone and is available to anyone in the community. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, helping restore normal breathing and potentially saving a life.
❱ Intrigued by something you’ve read here? Want
to go deeper? Read the full versions of these and other recent news items on our website.
JANUARY | FEBRUARY
17
• Happenings around the region
News & Notes
Five Cybersecurity Myths in Healthcare Protecting Patient Data Beyond Compliance BY HIGH POINT NETWORKS
C
YBERSECURITY knowledge is
the healthcare industry is no
evolving just as rapidly as the
different. Hackers naturally target
technology itself. In healthcare,
systems where the payoff is high,
where sensitive and personal data is
and the effort is low. In SMBs, it’s
handled daily, staying current on
not uncommon to lack a dedicated
myth versus reality is vital. Here, we
cybersecurity team or as many
explore five common cybersecurity
resources to defend against
misconceptions that can put medical
advanced threats, like ransom-
centers and practitioners at risk.
ware, when compared to larger
MYTH 1
“My clinic is too small to be a target for cybercriminals.”
Reality Healthcare institutions of all sizes are increasingly targeted for cyberattacks, especially smaller practices, due to the sensitive data they hold.
18
MYTH 2
“HIPAA Compliance = Cybersecurity”
Reality
enterprises—and attackers know
Compliance is just one part of a broader cybersecurity posture. It’s where to start, not where to finish.
this. It makes hospitals and clinics,
Many medical systems assume
especially smaller and private
that if they’re HIPAA-compliant,
practices, prime targets for
their systems are automatically
medical data theft. In fact, some
secure. However, compliance does
attackers could even compromise
not equal protection. HIPAA sets
dozens of small practices with less
minimum requirements, but
effort than one large hospital.
real-world threats (like ransom-
Remember, a breach could
ware or phishing) evolve far faster
affect thousands of patients’
than regulations. Organizations
personal health information (PHI),
should regularly assess risks, test
leading to compliance violations
incident response plans, and
South Dakota’s Leading Educator
under HIPAA and significant
implement best practices like
This is a common misconception
reputational damage. No matter
multi-factor authentication (MFA)
amongst many small and medi-
the size, it’s vital to invest in
and network segmentation.
um-sized businesses (SMB), and
robust cybersecurity measures.
MidwestMedicalEdition.com
MYTH 3
MYTH 4
MYTH 5
Reality
Reality
Reality
Healthcare data breaches are often caused by insiders, whether intentional (data theft, sabotage) or accidental (employee clicking a phishing link or mishandling patient data).
Sadly, hackers not caring about patient data couldn’t be further from the truth. Protected Health Information (PHI) packages have immense fraud potential, making it a highly sought after prize by cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, not the sole responsibility of the IT team.
sources like the Department of
Industry research shows that a
Organizations that prioritize a
Health and Human Services,
single medical record can sell for
proactive, security-conscious
negligent insider threats still
10–50 times more than a credit card
culture are thus better positioned
account for a significant percentage
number because it contains rich
to defend against modern cyber
of healthcare breaches. Thus,
personal, insurance, and health
threats. From ongoing training
continuous staff training and access
information that can’t easily be
and education to real practice
control policies remain critical steps
canceled or changed. In Orange
in identifying and responding to
toward reducing human error and
Cyberdefense’s 2025 report,
suspicious activity, leaders can
insider risks. In one 2025 case, the
Databreaches in Healthcare: The
help develop a “human firewall”
CEO of a cybersecurity firm, with
attractiveness of leaked healthcare
that goes far beyond the IT team.
family in the hospital, was charged
data for cybercriminals financial
Additionally, it’s important
after installing malware on a
gain is cited as a “main driver.”
to remember that even if a medical
“Cyberattacks only come from the outside.”
According to industry reports from
“Hackers don’t care about our patients’ data.”
“Cybersecurity should be left to IT professionals.”
Employees are the real first line of defense, not just the IT team—making their education and vigilance indispensable.
hospital computer — software that
It’s not uncommon to underesti-
facility uses a third-party vendor,
reportedly took screenshots every
mate how valuable medical records
healthcare organizations are still
20 seconds and transmitted them
are on the black market compared
legally and ethically responsible
externally, potentially enabling
to financial data. Healthcare data is
for protecting patient data
unauthorized access to patient
among the most lucrative targets;
throughout the supply chain.
data. Though not an “insider” by
protecting it should be an organiza-
definition, he still posed a threat
tional priority.
from inside the medical center.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? As cyber threats evolve, so must the healthcare industry’s approach to security. Dispelling common myths like these don’t just correct misconceptions, it changes the narrative around who plays a role in an organization’s security posture, while fostering a culture of vigilance and shared accountability. Protecting patient data requires more than just awareness, though. It also demands action. Healthcare systems can improve their security resilience by conducting regular simulated phishing tests to keep staff alert, implementing security measures like role-based access controls to limit data exposure, developing a comprehensive data recovery plan to prepare and ensure business continuity after an event, and even partnering with cybersecurity experts who can help navigate the complex landscape alongside them for the long-term. When trusted patient care and personal data protection is at risk, comprehensive and robust cybersecurity isn’t optional. It’s the core of safe and ethical healthcare. ❖
❱E mail is a primary target for bad actors. Go online for more advice from the
experts at High Point Networks, including key ways to avoid phishing emails.
JANUARY | FEBRUARY
19
BEYOND THE BORDER NEWS In addition to MED Magazine in South Dakota, MED also curates and shares medical community news with 14,000+ digital subscribers in North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. We periodically print some of the most notable news items from our wider coverage area.
FROM MED’S
MULTI-STATE COVERAGE AREA
Nebraska CHI Health Appoints Julie Goebel as Nebraska, Iowa Market President
■ OMAHA– CHI Health, a member of CommonSpirit
Health, has appointed Julie Goebel as president of its
Nebraska and Iowa Market, overseeing 10 hospitals. Goebel steps into the role after six months of serving as interim market president. Since joining CHI Health in May 2022, Goebel has served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for CHI Health and CommonSpirit Health’s Midwest Market. As interim president of CHI Health Creighton University
Medical Center – Bergan Mercy from February 2023 to July 2024, she
Iowa Manning Regional Healthcare Center Adds Dermatology Services
■ MANNING–Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) will begin
offering local dermatology services in January. with Sierra Thompson, NP-C, will start seeing patients at
helped dramatically decrease length of stay and nursing turnover while
MRHC beginning
increasing patient experience scores.
January 16th, and
“My entire career has been driven by a passion for delivering excep-
will be in Manning each month for
tional patient care,” Goebel says. Prior to joining CHI Health, Goebel served in leadership roles for
scheduled appoint-
Hospital Sisters Health System in Illinois. She earned her Master of
ments. Thompson
Health Administration from Saint Louis University.
is part of the dermatology team at
Community Hospital Team Earns Specialized Cancer Exercise Certifications
■ MCCOOK–Community Hospital
the Dakota Dunes-based CNOS Clinic. Services will include preventive skin care, early identification of potential issues, treatment of medical
in McCook has certified 11 team
dermatologic conditions, and cos-
members as Clinical Cancer
metic skin care options.
Exercise Specialists through the
“I’m passionate about helping
University of Northern Colorado
patients improve their self-esteem,
Cancer Rehabilitation Institute,
quality of life, and confidence in their
including
rehabilitation
own skin,” said Thompson. “I look
professionals and the hospital’s
forward to bringing specialized care
Oncology Director.
closer to my small-town community.”
ten
The advanced training enables them to design safe, effective exercise
Thompson is a certified Family
programs for patients undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment,
Nurse Practitioner who earned her
addressing side effects from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation
nursing degrees from St. Luke’s Col-
therapy. The initiative was requested by Dr. Benjamin George, Commu-
lege of Nursing in Sioux City and her
nity Hospital Medical Oncologist.
Master of Science in Nursing from
“Now that we have 10 therapists certified, our next steps are to decide
Briar Cliff University.
how to implement what we learned to best serve patients in our community,” said Emilyne Sis, Physical Therapist. The training was funded in part by a grant from Community Hospital Health Foundation. The new service will be available through the Rehabilitation Center with a physician referral.
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Walk-In Orthopedic Care Launches at MercyOne Genesis Bettendorf
■ DAVENPORT–MercyOne Genesis launched
Walk-In Orthopedics Marc Hoskins, PA, Rob Mixsell, MD, and Kelly Krei, DO, pose for a photo outside MercyOne Genesis Bettendorf Convenient Care.
Care on December 9 in December at its Bettendorf Convenient
Care location, allowing patients to receive specialized care for bone, joint, and sports injuries without an appointment. “Having Walk-In Orthopedics Care in a convenient care setting is a game-changer for the Quad Cities,” says Beau Dexter, MercyOne Regional Vice President, Eastern Division, Medical Group. The service features immediate care for fractures, sprains, and sports injuries, with on-site X-rays and access to advanced imaging, therapy, splinting, and bracing. MercyOne Genesis plans to expand the service to all seven convenient care locations across the Quad Cities.
Pictured L to R: Jessica Hupp, Variety–The Children’s Charity of Iowa; Amy Wright, Director of Maternal Child Services, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center; David Moore, Chief Development Officer, MercyOne Dubuque Foundation; and Dana Franck, Variety–The Children’s Charity of Iowa.
New Hearing Screener Enhances Care for MercyOne Dubuque’s Youngest Patients
■ DUBUQUE–Babies born at MercyOne Dubuque Birth Center will benefit from upgraded hearing screening
technology thanks to a grant from Variety–the Children’s Charity of Iowa. The MercyOne Dubuque Foundation received funding for a BERAphone hearing screener, a handheld device that can be easily moved between patient rooms. “This essential piece of screening equipment will help the expert care team quickly identify any concerns with hearing,” says Amy Wright, maternal child services director at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center.
North Dakota
The equipment serves both the Birth Center and the hospital’s Level II NICU.
clinical outcomes while driving progress through innovative research and cutting-edge technologies. Sanford Fargo is the only orthopedic program in North Dakota recognized as one of The American Orthopaedic Association’s “Own the Bone” star performers and has received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval in four areas. “This nomination is a direct reflection of our staff’s dedication to providing world class health care close to home,” said Michael Erickson, Sanford Fargo
Sanford Fargo Earns National Recognition for Orthopedic Excellence
■ FARGO –Sanford Fargo Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
vice president of orthopedic and sports medicine services. The program offers robotic-assisted surgeries, same-day total joint replacements, and orthobiologics —a treatment that uses cells to help patients poten-
has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s “Top 100
tially avoid surgery for musculoskeletal injuries.
Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Orthopedic
Sanford Health serves as the official orthopedic
Programs” for the second consecutive year.
provider for 42 universities, including NCA A
The recognition honors programs that deliver exceptional
JANUARY | FEBRUARY
Division I programs at UND and NDSU.
21
MULTI-CANCER EARLY DETECTION What providers should know about the Galleri® blood test
“Traditional screening methods are designed to detect one type of cancer, like mammograms for breast cancer or colonoscopy for colorectal cancers,” says Dr. Klute. “Galleri is different because it’s looking for cancer in general. It can detect over 50 types of cancer, including many that don’t have recommended screening tests.” The Galleri test appears to be particularly sensitive to fast-growing and more aggressive cancers, which are often the hardest to catch early with imaging-based methods. “Those cancers tend to shed more DNA into the blood, which makes them easier for this kind of test to detect,” Dr. Klute explains. “The flip side is that it doesn’t perform as well for some slower-growing cancers, like many breast
T
or prostate cancers.” RADITIONAL CANCER screening methods such as mammography, colonoscopy and low-dose CT have saved countless lives, but they only target specific cancer types. The
emerging field of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing offers a new possibility: These tests aim to identify multiple cancers with a single blood test. “The Galleri test looks for tumor DNA circulating in
the peripheral blood,” says Nebraska Medicine oncologist Kelsey Klute, MD. “Everyone has free DNA fragments
About one in 100 people will test positive with the Galleri. Of those, roughly 50% will turn out to have a true cancer diagnosis. While it’s still improving, the false-positive rate remains a limitation. “We think that number will come down with longer-term follow-up,” Dr. Klute says. “Some of those initial false positives may represent cancers too small to detect on imaging at the time of testing.” Because of this, repeat testing and follow-ups are recommended.
in their blood that come from normal cell turnover, but
WHO MIGHT BENEFIT
this test can distinguish between normal cell-free DNA
The Galleri test seems to perform best in higher-risk
and tumor DNA.”
populations, such as people over 50, those with a strong
The test uses methylation patterns, or chemical modifications that influence gene expression, to identify cancer-associated DNA and predict where the cancer signal might be coming from. “We all have the same DNA in every cell, but methylation patterns vary depending on the tissue type,” says
family history of cancer, or those with known genetic mutations like BRCA or Lynch syndrome. Lifestyle factors that increase baseline cancer risk, such as smoking, obesity or diabetes, may also make someone a better candidate. However, the Galleri testing should not replace traditional screening methods.
Dr. Klute. “By analyzing those patterns, the test can suggest
“A negative test doesn’t mean someone doesn’t have
a likely tissue or organ of origin if a cancer signal is
cancer,” says Dr. Klute. “It’s not a substitute for mammog-
detected.”
raphy, colonoscopy or other recommended screenings.”
Results typically return within a couple of weeks and
Most commercial insurers and Medicare don’t cover
are reported as either “cancer signal detected” or “not
the Galleri test yet, though patients may be able to use
detected,” with possible sites of origin included if
HSA or FSA funds and some life insurance or employer
positive.
plans have started covering it. ❖
❱P roviders interested in offering Galleri testing can find more information
including a reference to current clinical trials on our website.
22
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THERE ARE NO SICK DAYS ON THE RANCH 365 days a year, no matter the weather,
you are preserving a way of life through passion and commitment.
At Monument Health, we believe protecting your health and well-being is just as important as preserving your way of life. Monument Health offers preventive care options that help detect and prevent serious diseases and medical issues before they become major problems. You are constantly navigating a variety of occupational risks including respiratory diseases, infections, skin cancer, sore bones and muscles, hearing loss, depression, anxiety and disabling injuries. We believe that with proper preventative care and access to knowledgeable health professionals, you can live a long, healthy and productive life.
We want every patient to receive the care they need right here at home. As part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, our doctors have special access to Mayo Clinic knowledge, expertise and resources. • Your provider can collaborate with Mayo Clinic specialists on your behalf. • You receive expert care from your trusted local provider close to home, with additional peace of mind.
Stop by our booths inside The Monument Ice Arena concourse during The Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo and Rodeo Rapid City to learn more.
monument.health/communityhealthsummit