Based in Spearfish, when Prairie Hills Transit (PHT) began ferrying patients around the Black Hills on behalf of Monument Health in 2011, they had already been helping other clinics, nursing homes and assisted‑care facilities around the area, so their background was well-established.
As the partnership between PHT and Monument Health grew stronger, the demand increased. PHT continued to ensure every rider got to their appointment or treatment. Four vans now serve Monument Health patients, with additional support from other PHT communities whenever it’s needed.
Now, just over 14 years later, PHT and Monument Health have opened a garage that will continue to help bring patients to and from Monument Health facilities for free. Located on Lombardy Drive in Rapid City and with space for four vans, the new garage is a solution to the previous parking situation, in which the vans were kept outside and exposed to elements like hail and snow.
The project has been six years in the making and was the result of a lengthy collaboration between Brad Haupt, VP Supply Chain and Contract Management at Monument Health and Barb Cline, Executive Director of Prairie Hills Transit.
“Having this facility here will allow Barb’s team to be efficient,” says Brad. “They don’t just take care of patients here in Rapid City, they cover all of our facilities from Custer, Spearfish, Sturgis, Lead and Deadwood, we have patients from all over western South Dakota even as far away as North Dakota, where we’re able to help them get to where they need to be.”
In total, the new facility represents nearly 14 years of collaboration, trust and shared commitment to the people we serve. However, the partnership goes beyond mere vehicles and equipment — it also represents the hundreds of patients transported to dialysis, to appointments and to treatments that have saved and improved lives. Even more so, it represents the drivers who show up every day with compassion and dedication. This garage also means stability and growth; it’s a building that will house the PHT fleet and support its mission for years to come.
Story by Kory Lanphear
Photos by Erika Cianca