Ask The Expert 
Dr. Lemley finds joy in healing both child and family. He treats each of his patients as if they were his own kids — striving to provide the best care in every situation while keeping them close to home and close to heart.
What services are now available at Monument Health because of your specialty?
I’m the only full-time Pediatric Intensivist at Rapid City Hospital. We are now capable of keeping kids here who need a ventilator for longer periods of time, even if they need a more specialized ventilator. We feel more comfortable doing blood pressure support and even some cardiac support. From a critical care standpoint, when kids have persistent seizures and we can’t get them under control, we don’t need the neurologist onsite as much as in the past because we now have a continuous EEG machine that helps us keep all of those kids here.
What’s the importance of Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) fundraising from your perspective as a physician?
CMN fundraising provides the opportunity for the community to get behind, and support, our tiniest patients. Whether it’s by attending a Foundation event, rounding up at the Walmart register or buying a blizzard during Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day. It gives everyone the chance to make a difference each day.
Why is it important for a physician to understand and participate in philanthropy?
To me, personally, it’s important because it means Monument Health can recruit other specialties and can bring in additional subspecialty support and equipment and keep care close to home. Our pediatric team of hospitalists and nurses attended the Golden Guitars Gala this past June. My wife, Tamra Lemley, M.D., — who is also a pediatric hospitalist — and I went together. It was important for us to be involved with that. We also give back through serving the community and trying to go to events — to be with the kids, play with the kids and help be able just to see them healthy and active outside of the hospital. Philanthropy also provides personal fulfillment and professional satisfaction while enabling physicians to lead in health care and advocate for positive change. Ultimately, it enhances the broader health care system and addresses critical social issues.
What is the future of children’s care at Monument Health?
The future of children’s care at Monument Health is focused on creating a regional children’s hospital that reduces the need for transferring young patients out for basic subspecialty care, inpatient care and critical care. By keeping children in a familiar environment, their families will experience greater comfort during challenging times. The dedicated efforts of the Foundation, in collaboration with the Children’s Miracle Network Program, are making this vision a reality through ongoing fundraising and support.
What is CMN?
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a non-profit organization that raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada, helping make sure every child receives the best possible care. By empowering and engaging with local communities and businesses, funds raised allow member hospitals to provide critical medical treatments, equipment and patient care services to children in need. Member hospitals decide how to use these funds, ensuring the most urgent needs are met. Money raised through Children’s Miracle Network stays within the community to benefit local children. Monument Health became a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals member in 1989.