Annual Nursing Report South Network

SANFORD HEALTH SIOUX FALLS NURSING REPORT

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Letter from the Chief Nursing Officer of Sioux Falls, South Network

With deep appreciation and gratitude to the amazing nurses and APRNs in the Sioux Falls region, we share the 2024 Annual Nursing Report. It is through the hard work and dedication to safe, high-quality care provided by these individuals and teams that comprise this report.

As I reflect on 2024, the many awards and celebrations across our medical centers and clinics, nursing teams and care providers are a direct result of a culture rooted in pride for community – demonstrated within the projects and recognitions highlighted in this report.

Sanford Health is intentional in honoring nurses during Nurses Week and the Daisy Awards. This recognition reflects the compassion, care and voice nurses give to patients, families and each other – qualities that define the Sanford experience and exemplify the mission, vision and values we uphold.

Every day brings new challenges for teams caring for patients who come in for primary care, complex medical care, transitions of care and emergency care. I am proud of the nurses and their teams who stand prepared and ready to meet each moment with skill and expertise.

The 2024 Annual Nursing Report is dedicated to the nurses and teams who demonstrate what premier rural health care looks like – every day, in every community we serve.

“Be the difference that makes the difference. It’s what you say and do, and how you say and do it. Caring, safeguards and affirms our humanity.”

Jean Watson (Nurse Theorist — Theory of Human Caring).

Gratefully,

Amy Thiesse, PhD, RN Chief Nursing Officer, Sioux Falls Network, Sanford Health Network – South

MISSION

To care, comfort and cure.

OUR VISION

To be the premier rural health system in the United States.

VALUES

Service

Doing our best every day to uphold and care for others.

Courage

Having the strength to persevere, problem solve and take action.

Humility

Respecting others and knowing there is more to learn.

Stewardship

Safeguarding the resources that have been entrusted to us.

Family

Honoring the commitment we have to each other through it all.

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves 2.4 million patients and more than 425,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes 56 hospitals, more than 270 clinic locations, 144 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers, nearly 1,000 active clinical trials and studies, and nine world clinic locations around the globe.

The integrated nonprofit health system includes:

• 56 medical centers

• 270 clinic locations

• 144 senior care locations

• 132 skilled nursing and rehab facilities

• 195,593 Sanford Health Plan members

• 42,775 employees

• 2,931 physicians and advanced practice providers and 8,291 registered nurses delivering care in more than 80 specialty areas

• Centers of Excellence: – Cancer – Children’s – Heart

– Orthopedics and Sports Medicine – Women’s Health

Each year, Sanford Health provides:

• 5.8 million outpatient and clinic visits

• 80,880 admissions

• 143,217 surgeries and procedures

• 9,541 births

• 224,223 emergency department visits

Culture

At Sanford Health, we believe quality health care should be available close to home for everyone, everywhere. From our roots in the Midwest, we are proud to set the standard for delivering world-class care. By building on the talents, experiences and beliefs of our employees, we aim to improve the lives of patients and residents throughout the communities we serve.

Through our shared commitment, we can become the nation’s most-connected, widest-reaching health care system, shrinking the distance between every patient and their best, healthiest life.

SHARED GOVERNANCE

Shared governance is a structure and process that allows nurses to collaborate with nurse leaders in making decisions about their practice. The Nursing Senate serves as one voice for nursing practice. The purpose of the Nursing Senate is to provide each professional RN with the opportunity to partner in planning processes, initiatives, and the development of policies and procedures through their representatives. The Nursing Senate distributes the work of professional nursing.

Network Senate Accomplishments

Our shared governance model consists of Network Senator and Ambulatory Council representatives from each community. Both groups continue to bring forward opportunities to standardize care, improve processes and ensure safe high-quality care for our patients and employees. The energy and passion these individuals bring to their nursing profession and in support of their colleagues is inspiring and a joy to experience.

We are proud of the momentum the Senate and Council has achieved in presenting new ideas, building workflows to enhance the provision of care across all locations and leading in our Network Strategic Planning. The greatest successes of the Senate and Council in 2024 were advancing mental health resources, improving safety in the emergency department (ED) and ambulatory spaces, and encouraging nurses to ask themselves and their peers, “What more can we do?”

QUALITY CARE

Nurses in the News

Story Title Nurses

Sanford Nurse retires after 60 years of service

Someone You Should Know: Six decades as a nurse

Cuts, scrapes, burns — when first aid isn’t enough

Orange City Area Health Team

Wieneke

Sanford Health News Dakota News Now Feb. 12, 2024 Jan. 10, 2024

Jan. 9, 2024

On November 5, 2024, the Orange City ED responded swiftly when a local bus accident resulted in 19 patients needing care. The coordinated effort involved six ED physicians, two trauma surgeons, 11 nurses, three ED receptionists, one infusion nurse, two paramedics, three radiation technicians, three lab technicians, two respiratory therapists, three care coordinators, one social worker, members of the surgery team, nursing students and their instructor, as well as external paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

Eighteen patients were seen and discharged. Radiology performed 18 total X-rays on eight patients. Injuries included multiple concussions, lacerations, abrasions and contusions.

Heart Month

We are proud to recognize Heart Month each February to raise awareness and encourage ourselves and each other to lead heart-healthy lives.

National Rural Health Day

On November 21, 2024, the Sioux Falls region celebrated National Rural Health Day, recognizing the invaluable contributions of network providers, support staff and outreach clinicians.

Sanford Improvement Symposium

The Sanford Improvement (SI) Symposium in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, took place on November 13, 2024, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center to showcase quality improvement projects across the region. The speaker for the event was Joy Baldridge. She gave a presentation about effective communication concepts that bring people together to work effectively, efficiently, cohesively and profitably – both internally and externally. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of exceptional communication skills, leadership, teambuilding, wellness, priority management skill development, positive behavior and change management.

There were 148 posters submitted among the eight categories. Sanford Health Network nurses and employees were involved in 34 posters. The poster categories included: Quality of Life, Sanford Experience, Cost, Clinical Care, Communication, Safety, Evidence-based Practices and Research. Posters were judged on various criteria depending on category, such as patient-centeredness, data-driven results, leadership involvement, application of improvement principles, skillful management of a project, improvement tools, accountability, enthusiasm and passion, next steps and the overall clarity, creativity and appearance of the poster..

Quality of Life Projects

Mental Health Is a Journey, Not A Destination (Second Place, Quality of Life), Tierney Donovan, RN, Andrea Morenz, RN

Schooling Preventable Risk Factors in our Youth Kelsey Schuldt, BSN, RN, Thomas Gulledge

Every Heartbeat, Every Detail, Perfectly Captured Close to Home Elizabeth Gravley, MD; Denise Below, BSN, RN; Ashley Ewing, BSN, RN; Isaac Gerdes, Brad Olson, Jill Weatherford, Casey Zochert Huffman

Don’t Forget Me Amanda Mahnke, RN, Jennifer Reimer, LSW, Karla Ellingson, QAC, Megan Priebe, Melissa Swindell

Improving the Patient Experience in the ED at SVMC (First Place, Sanford Experience) Roy Mortinsen, MD, Jenny Hanson, RN, Janice McGuire, RN, Julie Girard, Sanford Vermillion Medical Center ED providers and nursing staff

Sanford Experience Projects

Improving Same Day Access: Expert Care is Just a Walk in Away Rachel Olson, MPA; Kirsten Bickett, RN; Chandra Derocher Ritz, RN; Karen Sorensen

Patient Experience: Did You Put Your Smile On? Jessica Steele, APRN, CNP; Lora Honetschlager, Jim Hornung, Susan Schanning

Striving for Excellence: Transforming the Patient Experience and Setting New Standards in the Therapy Department Terri Elder, MSPT; Jennifer Zajic

Cost Projects

Rescue Resources: Enhancing Ambulance Staff Utilization (Third Place Cost) Jill Johnson, NRP; Troy Thone, NRP; Harlan Vande Kieft

Clinical Care Projects

Just Ask…“Could it be SEPSIS? (Second Place, Clinical Care) Elena Canfield, MD; Jenna Gehl, DO; Meghana Khedekar, MD; Travis Meinders, PharmD; Jeanne Demuth-Suby, MBA, BSN, RN; Melinda Miller, MSN, BSN, RN, PHN; Kaitlin Bullerman, BAN, RN; Lynn Dierks, BSN, RN; Bryan Hagen, BPharm; Kristin Olson, RN; Amanda Harris, MLT (ASCP)

The Impact of Nurse Education and Workflow Development to Improve Guideline Directed Care for Inpatient Heart Failure Patients in the Rural Setting Tracy Hansen, DNP; Amber Humphrey, MSN, RN

All The Incentive Your Ribs Need Bonnie Dix, BSN, RN; Christina Dykman, BSN, RN

Piecing Together the Puzzle of Chronic Pain Management Andrew Kopperud, MD; Shawna Sprengeler, PharmD; Justin Young, MD; Amanda Glanzer, CNP; Kelly Hoffman, CNP; Kortney Krick, CNP; Naomi Samuelson, CNP; Mikaela Erickson, PA-C; Katie Alms, RN; Delaney Boerboom, RN; Alex LeTendre, RN; Josh Sammons, Stacy Barstad, Sanford Tracy and Sanford Westbrook nursing staff

Poop! There It Is! Heather Jutting, RN; Kim Kazmerzak, RN; Elizabeth Mattson, RN; Karen Raml, RN

Our Breathtaking Adventure: Reduction of Asthma Exacerbations Samantha Benson, BSN, RN; Teresa Steffen, LPN; Cole Kantos, Sanford Sheldon providers and nursing staff

Diving into Diabetes Management

Kylie Turner, BSN, RN; Lisa Dean, RN; Mary Hesemann, RN; Virginia Cerda, CHW; Claire Henning, Charlene Gronseth, Michelle Poppen, Tonya Grothe-Bumgardner

SVMC: Opioid Use and Screening During Pregnancy Anastasia Searcy, DO; Amber Baker, RN; Jenny Hanson, RN; Janice McGuire, RN; Susanne Steenhold, RN

It’s about Time! Caitlin Brandt, Courtney Nelson, BSN, RN; Megan Sykora, RN; Beth Spilde

Bet the Pharm to Raise the TTR Jason Stubbe, PharmD; Marla Jenniges, RN

Strengthening Your Core Susan Kooi, RN; Michelle Serck, RN; Sarah Wielocha, RN

Victory Over HPV Kelsey Stoltenberg, BS, LPN; Amy Hockett, RN; Connie Woodring, RN

Connecting The Dots: Linking Non-Medical & Medical Care to Complete the Picture

Rhonda Swanson, CHW; Suzanne Littler, CMA; Erin Keeley, BSN, RN; Brenda Lyke, BSN, RN; Lance Habeck, BSN, RN; Michelle Miner, RN

Decreasing the In-Basket Burden Claire Johnson, BSN

Are We Freaky Fast Stacy Bomgaars, RN; Susan Kooi, RN; Jana Sorlie, RN

Improving Well-Child Visit Participation through Focused Communication and Collaboration Tammy Baer, BSN, RN; Emily Eckert, BSN, RN; Carrie Hawley, BSN, RN; Kristen Moyer Communication Projects

Safety Projects

Stop Your Stressin’ Label Your Specimens KaSara Sutton, MSN, RN; Bonnie Dix, BSN, RN; Lance Habeck, BSN, RN; Erin Keeley, BSN, RN; Brenda Lyke, BSN, RN; Stephanie Alberts, Kathy Marnette, Taylor Severson, Nicole Sumner

Improving Medication Safety and Security with Pharmacy Automation Shanee Vos, PharmD; Betty Hargan, MSN, BSN

Pain Pain Go Away Suzanne Littler, CMA; Rhonda Swanson, CHW; Erin Keeley, BSN, RN; Lance Habeck, RN; Brenda Lyke, RN; Michelle Miner, RN

Mastering the Unpredictable: Navigating Low-Frequency, High-Risk Event Shawna Sprengeler, PharmD; Amy McNamara, RN; Jeri Schons, RN; Kim Schroepfer, RN

Asking For Trouble When You Don’t Huddle Rick Nordahl, MBA; Brittany Holtrop, BSN, RN; Jessica Justi, RN; Maggie McDonald, RN; Jesica Steeg RN

Reducing Preventable Harm with Implementation of Automated Medication Dispensing Cabinets Elly Schmidt, MSN, RN; Emily Eckert, BSN, RN

We’ve Got Skills: Highly Reliable Immunotherapy Jessica Bauman, RN; Kelly Drietz, LPN; Lori Jelen, LPN; Maggie Giese, CMA; Stacey Texley, CMA; Tracy Wente, RHIA, CPHQ;

Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice

Two network projects were reviewed at the Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council in 2024 to develop best practices and innovation for patient-centered clinical and operational improvement.

Project Title

Where would you be without a PCP? (Third Place, EBP)

Give Your Brain a Chance

Nurses Featured Type

Stefanie Hoffman, DNP, CNP, APRN, CEN

Kaley McNab, CNP, APRN, CEN

Leslie Greguson, MSN, APRN, CNP

Sanford Health Acute Care Clinic and Sanford Jackson Medical Center

Jane Sabinske, MSN, RN

Hailey Bakken, ADN, RN

Amy McNamara, BSN, RN

Sanford Westbrook Medical Center

EBP

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

Sanford Worthington Medical Center received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for spring 2024. This national distinction recognizes Sanford Health’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error while in the hospital.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns grades of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on how well hospital prevent medical errors and patient harm. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

“Our team in Worthington has worked diligently to maintain and enhance safety and quality for patients, visitors and employees,” said Jennifer Weg, administrator at Sanford Worthington Medical Center.

Our team of caregivers go above and beyond to protect the patients we care for – by standing up for safety and implementing best practices which are significant in improving the overall safety of the patients we serve.”

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Recognition Event

The 2024 Sioux Falls Region Advanced Practice Provider Recognition Event took place on September 25, 2024, at the Sanford Barn during National APP Week on September 23-27. There were 180 nominees – with 55 from network locations. Awards were presented to nine recipients and three network recipients. APPs include physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, audiologists and genetic counselors.

Exemplary Professional Practice Award

Rachel Van Briesen, APRN-CNP, Sheldon Clinic

Rising Star Award

Kase Jacobs, APRN-CNP, Canby Clinic

Distinguished Wisdom Keeper Award

Martha Johnson, PA-C, Lakefield Jackson Medical Center and Clinic

Vax Champs South Network Nursing

The Vax Champ program, led by Immunization Strategy, was created to provide vaccine education and training along with leadership development to help increase immunization rates. The program is a six-month-long curriculum that enhances knowledge by offering immunization education, leadership development, influence and motivation training.

2024 Participants:

• Melissa Henrickson, LPN, Watertown Clinic

• Ariel Svoboda, LPN, Worthington Clinic

Guardian Angels

The Guardian Angel program gives patients and families the opportunity to celebrate exceptional care by making a gift in honor of a caregiver. Guardian Angels attend a special recognition ceremony, and the gifts enhance services for future patients at Sanford Health.

Award Recipients:

• Natalie Braun, APRN, CNP, Aberdeen Clinic

• Megan Taggart, RN, Chamberlain Clinic

• Hannah Laprath, RN, Chamberlain Medical Center

South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations Young Professional Award

Award

KaSara Sutton, MSN, RN Director of Nursing and Clinical Services, Aberdeen Medical Center

Sutton began her career with Sanford Health at Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center in 2013 as a patient care technician. She has made numerous contributions to the professional advancement of nurses, the nursing profession and the overall well-being of nurses. She goes above and beyond to ensure that staff and patients feel respected and their best interest always comes first.

She continues to bring forward innovative ideas to improve care, efficiency and satisfaction. Sutton has grown into her role as director of nursing and remains committed to lifelong learning and professional development. Her leadership has guided teams through Remote RT and Omnicell go-lives, the onboarding of international nurses and the integration of a large group of new graduate RNs.

Sutton earned her BSN from South Dakota State University and later completed a master’s degree in nursing education and clinical nurse leadership. She has built a strong leadership team and actively supports their success. No challenge is too large for her to tackle and overcome – she approaches each with poise and confidence, consistently demonstrating thoughtful leadership and insight.

She also serves on the Safe Harbor Board of Directors, chairs District 2 of the South Dakota Organization of Nurse Leaders and is active at the district level within the South Dakota Nurses Association. Sutton is a passionate advocate for the nursing profession and Sanford Health.

Good Catch Awards

Good Catch Awards are presented to individuals who prevented an error or stopped an error from reaching the patient. Good Catch Award recipients receive a surprise presentation and gift, and their story is shared widely through the nursing councils and safety SharePoint site.

Award Recipients:

Lori Borman, RN

Rock Rapids Clinic, January 2024

Karen Terhark, BSN-MNA, RN

Worthington Medical Center, Women’s, February 2024

Tammy Baer, RN

Clear Lake Medical Center, July 2024

Adam Yeske, RN

Worthington Medical Center, August 2024

Erica Heidelberger, RN

Worthington Medical Center, Women’s, October 2024

• Ann “Quincy” Pimentel, RN, Sheldon Clinic, November 2024

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

The DAISY Award recognizes nurses who exemplify excellence in patient care. Bonnie and J. Mark Barnes founded the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation in memory of their son, J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away at age 33 due to complications from an autoimmune disease. In tribute to and in appreciation of the nurses who cared for their son, they established the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses who make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Sanford Health is one of more than 6,500 health care organizations around the world to partner with the DAISY Foundation. Recipients of the DAISY Award receive a certificate, a DAISY pin and a unique, hand-carved Serpentine stone statue called The Healer’s Touch, created by artisans in Zimbabwe. Recipients are also featured on the DAISY Foundation website, Sanford Health’s social media profiles and internally on Inside Sanford.

Award Recipients:

Mary Bruns, RN

Orange City Area Health, Q1 2024

Jade Bunkers-Groh, RN

Orange City Area Health, Q2 2024

Whitney Anderson, RN

Orange City Area Health, Q3 2024

Jocelyn Peterson, RN

Webster Medical Center, Q4 2024

Sadie Phillips, RN

Watertown Clinic, DAISY Clinic 2024

Cori De Jong, RN and Maggie McDonald, RN

Sheldon Medical Center 2024 DAISY TEAM Award

Team Hope International Esperanza Project (IEP) Guatemala

Sanford World Clinic is a unique and defining initiative of Sanford Health, established in 2007 to deliver permanent health care services in various countries through international partnerships. Together with its global collaborators, Sanford Health is developing highquality, sustainable operations that will positively impact children and families for generations. During the 2024 Guatemala trip, the Sanford Health team participated as part of the International Esperanza Project Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (IEP-PACU) surgical team.

Participants:

Brandon Schaffer, CCL

Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center

Robin Heiden, RN Canby Medical Center

Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN)

By Katie Field, MSN, RN

Internationally educated nurses (IENs) are nursing professionals who have completed their nursing education outside the country where they currently practice. They play a crucial role in addressing global nursing shortages, particularly in countries like the United States. To practice in their host countries, IENs must navigate complex processes, including visa screening, credential evaluations and licensure examinations such as the NCLEX-RN in the U.S. These steps ensure IENs meet the necessary standards to provide safe and effective care.

Despite their valuable contributions, IENs often face significant challenges. These include communication barriers, cultural adjustments and differences in health care systems. Effective cross-cultural communication is essential to improve job satisfaction and patient outcomes. By understanding and addressing these challenges, health care systems can better integrate IENs, enhancing the overall quality of care.

To support this effort, Sanford Health has developed an integrative onboarding and fellowship programs to bridge the transition for our IENs as they begin their careers in the United States.

The onboarding curriculum has been carefully designed to prepare IENs for a successful transition into the U.S. health care system. It includes a preparation week prior to new employee orientation, called preboarding. In preboarding, curriculum topics include Health Care in the United States, Physical Assessment, Nurse Sensitive Indicators, Communication, Medication Administration, Emergency Response and Hands-on Skills. The interactive curriculum features case studies, hands-on simulation and active discussions to prepare IENs for cross-cultural practice differences.

Following the preboarding week, nurses participate in observation shifts to facilitate the transition to practice. These shifts allow IENs to observe key nursing responsibilities, such as communication, hands-on skills and use of the electronic medical record. Subsequently, IENs undergo new employee orientation, where they are reintroduced to the organization’s culture, mission and values alongside all new employees at Sanford Health.

The final phase involves facility-specific orientation, where nurses are paired with a formally trained preceptor who supports IENs. This support extends throughout the orientation period with a mentorship program called Fellowship.

NURSES WEEK

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Events are hosted across the U.S. to honor nurses for the work they do. Sanford Health nurses are recognized with a week of festivities including a recognition event at the Washington Pavilion. Nearly 600 nominations were submitted, and 56 individuals received awards at the 2024 Nursing Recognition Event on May 7, 2024.

The Distinguished Wisdom Keeper Nurse Award

This award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership in and contributions to the discipline of nursing demonstrated by a distinguished lifetime service to the nursing profession. Fostering high nursing standards through practice, education, leadership and research, this recipient has contributed to a healthy work environment, improved health care services and stimulated the professional development and general welfare of registered nurses.

Award Recipient:

Annie Kloos, RN Jackson

Medical Center

The Exemplary Professional Practice Nurse Award

This award is presented in recognition of outstanding nursing professional practice in providing the highest quality care to those served by Sanford Health and in illustrating the alignment and integration of the mission, vision, values and philosophy adopted by the nursing profession and Sanford Health.

Award Recipients:

Shari Mayne, RN Vermillion Medical Center

Dixie Falk, RN

Chamberlain Dialysis

The Florence Nightingale Professional Nurse Award

This award recognizes nurses for outstanding involvement in the provision of the art and science of nursing. Award winners demonstrate unwavering strength of character, commitment and competence in their practice. Their peers – who have nominated and endorsed them – can attest to their contributions as invaluable assets to the community, nursing profession and Sanford Health.

Award Recipients:

• Alesha Andrade, RN, Worthington Medical Center

• Melanie Anderson, LPN, Tracy Clinic

Brady Carda, RN Aberdeen Medical Center

Ashley Joos, RN Aberdeen Medical Center

Paige Pederson, RN Canby Medical Center

Kassandra Quade, RN Westbrook Clinic

Kimberly Schroepfer, RN Tracy Medical Center

Friend of Nursing Award

This award recognizes an individual or group who, though not a nurse, has demonstrated significant contributions to the nursing profession, the work environment of the health care team and Sanford Health.

Award Recipient:

The New Knowledge, Innovations & Improvement Award

This award recognizes excellence in nursing that ensures the safest and best practices for patients and the nursing practice environment by sharing new knowledge through integrating evidence-based practice, research and innovations into clinical and operational processes.

Award Recipient:

The Spirit of Nursing Leadership Award

This award recognizes professional nurses who have demonstrated leadership and made significant contributions to the nursing profession, the professional advancement of nurses and the general welfare of nurses.

Award Recipients:

Erica Bevers, RN Watertown Clinic

Sarah Talbott, RN Chamberlain Medical Center

Star Performance Award

This award recognizes individuals who, though not nurses, have helped the profession of nursing advance safe, patient-centered care by demonstrating significant partnership to the nursing profession and improvement to the health care environment for staff nurses and patients.

Award Recipients:

Shawna Sprengeler, PharmD

Tracy Medical Center

Madeline Kaptein, CMA

Sheldon Clinic

Structural Empowerment Award

This award is presented for recognition of professional engagement, development and community involvement as evidenced by involvement in shared governance, decision-making structures and processes that establish standards of practice in nursing. Furthermore, this recipient serves on committees, task forces and professional organizations that address excellence in patient care and in the safe, efficient and effective operation of Sanford Health.

Award Recipient:

Sara Stonefield, RN

Clear Lake Medical Center

Transformational Leadership Award

This award recognizes transformative leadership in nursing, demonstrated through the development of a clear vision, well-articulated philosophy and a commitment to professional practice. Recipients exemplify exceptional leadership by effectively communicating expectations, fostering the growth of leaders, proactively addressing current and emerging needs, aligning efforts with strategic priorities and advocating on behalf of staff and patients.

Award Recipients:

Katie Alms,

Tracy Clinic

RN

Ronda Newgard, RN Jackson Medical Center

NURSING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

K-12 Aspire by Sanford: Career Exploration and Development Programming

The K-12 Aspire team promotes health care career exploration and development in both patient-facing and support roles. Sanford partners with local schools and post-secondary institutions to offer internships, tours, classroom visits, hands-on demonstrations, career advising and more in both large and small group settings. Additionally, Sanford promotes careers in health care through in-person and virtual experiences.

In 2024, the program engaged over 29,000 students across the Sanford Health enterprise, delivering 4,100+ hours of career exploration and education. Activities such as classroom visits, career exploration camps, tours, internships and job shadowing provide students with real-world insights into the health care field, both for patient-facing and support roles.

Sanford partners with select high schools to offer students who have earned their nursing assistant certification an opportunity to intern as a CNA in various inpatient and clinic settings. Interns go through the hiring, onboarding and orientation process and work with us for a total of 100 hours in a semester. In addition to this paid time, Sanford also offers 10-12 hours of career exploration opportunities in high-need areas that they may not see in their units.

Other programming includes a medical explorers club called MedX. Members meet monthly throughout the school year at the medical center to learn about health care careers through tours, chats and hands-on activities. K-12 Aspire supports local Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapters by supplying speakers for chapter meetings and bringing multiple staff to the state leadership conference to run competitive events, share breakout sessions and showcase their careers at a special career carnival event. Sanford also hosts between three and five Sanford Sights and Sounds events each year for HOSA members, as well as other classroom-based and large-scale events that provide exploration opportunities to middle and elementary students.

Sanford Health Nurse Residency Program

Sanford Health’s Nurse Residency Program (NRP) is a 12-month evidence-based program accredited with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP).

One of only 200 PTAP-accredited programs globally, Sanford Health’s NRP helps new nurses navigate the challenges of transitioning from students to competent nurses. Participants are automatically enrolled upon meeting eligibility criteria during the hiring process – no separate application process is required.

TRAUMA DESIGNATION

Level IV Trauma Hospital Designations

Sanford Westbrook Medical Center has been designated a Level IV trauma hospital by the Minnesota Department of Health. Employees voluntarily participated in the intense designation process to become part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system.

“From our providers to our nurses to the patient access representatives who greet our patients as they walk into our facility, everyone played an instrumental role in receiving this designation,” said Stacy Barstad, senior director of Sanford Westbrook Medical Center. “We are proud to have this level of designation to provide our community with trauma care in Westbrook.”

Sanford Luverne Medical Center has been designated a Level IV trauma hospital by the Minnesota Department of Health. Employees voluntarily participated in the intense designation process to become part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system.

“When patients need trauma care, they need it quickly,” said Tammy Loosbrock, chief executive officer for Sanford Health in Luverne and Rock Rapids. “Being located along Interstate 90, Sanford Luverne sees patients from across the region, especially those who need trauma care. We are proud to have this level of designation to provide our community with trauma care in Luverne.”

Emergency Timeliness Award

Sanford Sheldon Medical Center recently received the Emergency Timeliness Award as part of the Women’s Choice Award 2024 Best Hospitals Award Report.

“As a rural emergency department, we see patients from many different communities who rely on the timeliness of the care our team provides to patients in times of emergency,” said Rick Nordahl, administrator and chief executive officer for Sanford Health in Sheldon. “The dedicated and talented team we have in our emergency department provides us with the ability to deliver exceptional emergency care to rural communities.”

The award is given to emergency departments that exceed national average measures in two key areas: time spent in the emergency department prior to discharge and the percentage of patients who left before being seen. Sanford Sheldon Medical Center had zero patients identified as leaving the emergency department before being seen.

ORGANIZATIONAL HONORS

Chartis Performance Leadership Awards

11 Chartis Performance Leadership Awards were earned in the Sanford Health Network for excellence in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

Quality:

• Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center

• Sanford Canby Medical Center

• Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center

• Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center

• Sanford Luverne Medical Center

• Sanford Sheldon Medical Center

• Sanford Tracy Medical Center

• Sanford Vermillion Medical Center

• Sanford Westbrook Medical Center

Patient Perspective:

• Sanford Tracy Medical Center

For the third consecutive year, Sanford Vermillion Medical Center has been recognized as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis’ annual Top 100 Award recognizes outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.

“We have an exceptional health care team,” said Veronica Schmidt, administrator and chief executive officer for Sanford Health in Vermillion. “To receive this national recognition for the third consecutive year is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality care right here in Vermillion. This award reflects Sanford Health’s commitment and our local caregivers’ dedication to excellence in rural health care and the importance of keeping health care close to home for our patients’ convenience and comfort.”

Stroke Care Recognition

Sanford Sheldon Medical Center has been recognized by the American Heart Association Iowa for their dedication to improving care for stroke patients through the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke Post-Acute Care initiative. The medical center is one of 24 facilities across the state of Iowa that has been recognized for their commitment to this initiative.

“We are honored to be recognized as a leader in high-quality, post-stroke care by the American Heart Association Iowa,” said Rick Nordahl, administrator and chief executive officer for Sanford Health in Sheldon. “This recognition reaffirms Sanford Health’s leadership in rural health care by providing the expert care that patients need, close to home.”

Becker’s CNOs to Know

Becker’s Hospital Review has named Amy Thiesse, PhD, RN, to the 213 CNOs to Know in 2024.

Becker’s is thrilled to honor noteworthy health care chief nursing officers (CNOs). CNOs are responsible for tackling nurse staffing shortages, managing nursing budgets and developing professional growth opportunities for up-and-coming nurses. In addition to overseeing nursing departments at their organizations, CNOs spearhead innovative initiatives to ensure high standards of patient care. These leaders bring a unique combination of clinical expertise and executive leadership skills to their roles.

With more than 30 years of nursing experience in tertiary and frontier hospitals, ambulatory care and nursing home settings, Dr. Thiesse oversees nursing practice and the provision of nursing services in more than 25 rural medical centers and dozens of clinics. An advocate for equitably meeting the needs of rural communities, she is committed to upholding high standards for safe nursing practices and advancing skill-building and professional development opportunities tailored for rural frontline nurses. Recognizing the unique needs and challenges of recruiting qualified nurses to smaller communities, Dr. Thiesse collaborates closely with local higher education institutions to create opportunities for investigative learning and internships for nursing students. During her tenure as CNO, the health system’s shared governance body – known as the Nursing Senate – has seen immense growth, improved communication and better outcomes.

Contributors

Special thanks to the individuals and teams who contributed to this report:

• Amy Thiesse, PhD, RN

• Natalie Van Houten

• Katie Field, MSN, RN

• Delayne Severson, MSN, RN

Visit sanfordhealth.org/nursing-excellence to view this report digitally.