Author: Stephany Chalberg

RAPID CITY, S.D. (April 23, 2024) – Monument Health opened its Nuclear Pharmacy on March 18. This is the second facility of its kind in South Dakota, the other being in Sioux Falls. Along with the opening of the pharmacy comes the addition of two authorized Nuclear Pharmacists to Monument Health: Patrick Novak, PharmD. and Bryan Brittain, PharmD.

The Nuclear Pharmacy specializes in compounding and dispensing radioactive drugs for critical conditions like GI bleeds, cancer treatments, cardiac procedures and cancer studies.

“Medications compounded in our Nuclear Pharmacy benefit a variety of patients,” said Patrick Novak, PharmD. “The growth of these types of medications, particularly in cancer treatment studies, is rapidly expanding. Having a Nuclear Pharmacy dedicated to serving Monument Health ensures more patients can receive essential treatment close to home.”

Without a Nuclear Pharmacy, Monument Health would need to contract with other private nuclear pharmacies, which would require medications to be flown in. That  would increase the cost of these medications, with  some ending up costing thousands of dollars more per dose. 

Having a nuclear pharmacy locally, in Rapid City, allows the nuclear imaging department to have more flexibility to scan add-on patients on the same day. If the doses were transported by plane, though, the nuclear imaging department would have to wait until the next day to scan add-on patients.

As federal regulations governing Nuclear Pharmacy operations evolve, the need  for authorized nuclear pharmacists and other measures becomes increasingly apparent. 

With the addition of both Patrick and Bryan as authorized nuclear pharmacists, Monument Health is able to expand the nuclear pharmacy medications and lay groundwork for the future of nuclear medicine, which includes radiopharmaceuticals for prostate cancers and neuroendocrine cancers. Radiopharmaceuticals have recently been approved by the FDA. 

Monument Health is currently working to bring these treatment options to Rapid City. Numerous radiopharmaceuticals are currently being studied for other types of cancer as well and Monument Health is excited to be part of this future.  

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About Monument Health

Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Spearfish, S.D. (March 28, 2024) – Monument Health Spearfish Hospital was recently named one of the top 20 rural and community hospitals in the country.

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has announced the 20 highest-ranked prospective payment system hospitals in the country based on an evaluation by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The hospitals are identified using the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, the most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural PPS hospital performance.

The determining factors for the top 20 rural and community hospitals are based on eight indices: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and finance.

“Monument Health Spearfish Hospital is proud of the continued efforts of our physicians and caregivers who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” says Suzanne Campbell, RN, Director of Nursing, Spearfish Market. “Our recognition as a top health care provider means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need, close to home, now and in the future.”

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About NRHA
NRHA is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and well-being of rural Americans and provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research. NRHA’s membership consists of diverse individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.

About Chartis
Chartis is a comprehensive health care advisory firm dedicated to helping clients build a healthier world. We work across the health care continuum with more than 900 clients annually, including providers, payers, health services organizations, technology and retail companies, and investors. Through times of change, challenge, and opportunity, we advise the industry on how to navigate disruption, pursue growth, achieve financial sustainability, unleash technology, improve care models and operations, enhance clinical quality and safety, and advance health equity. The teams we convene bring deep industry expertise and industry leading innovation, enabling clients to achieve transformational results and create positive societal impact.  For more information, visit www.chartis.com.

About Monument Health
Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Rapid City, S.D. (March 21, 2024) – Monument Health proudly announces the posthumous recognition of Lynnett Rotert, BSRT, CBDT, with the prestigious 2024 Dr. Sydney Bonnick ISCD Award for Excellence in Densitometry. This esteemed award celebrates technologists who demonstrate exceptional quality and expertise in daily clinical densitometry practice.

“Lynnett’s unwavering dedication to her profession and patients has made an enduring impact on our organization,” remarked Cathy Sowers, DNP, Medical Director of Monument Health Spearfish Osteoporosis and FLS Program. “We are honored to celebrate her legacy through this well-deserved recognition. Her commitment to healthcare excellence continues to inspire us all.”

The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) is a global network of industry professionals, comprising over 2,700 individual members from across 25 countries. Collaborating across borders, ISCD members work together to advance the organization’s vision and mission, dedicated to enhancing excellence in musculoskeletal health assessment through education, certification, and facility accreditation.

Both Monument Health Spearfish Clinic, 10th Street and Flormann Street’s Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Departments have received accreditation from ISCD. This accreditation underscores their commitment to excellence in patient care.

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About Monument Health

Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Rapid City, S.D. (Jan. 30, 2024) – The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a quality program administered by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has granted accredited status to the Monument Health Breast Care Program in Rapid City, SD.  To achieve voluntary NAPBC accreditation, a breast center demonstrates compliance with the NAPBC standards that address a center’s leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement for patients. Breast centers seeking NAPBC accreditation undergo a site visit every three years.

As a NAPBC-accredited center, the Breast Care Program is committed to maintaining levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered, multidisciplinary care resulting in high-quality care for patients with breast disease. Patients can be confident that their breast care team includes health care professionals from a variety of disciplines who are committed to working together to provide the best care available through their entire course of treatment and beyond.  

Patients receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center also have access to information on clinical trials and new treatment options, genetic counseling, and patient-centered services including psychosocial support, rehabilitation services and survivorship care.   

“Our story has its origin through the vision, compassionate care and determination of the late Julie Raymond, M.D., along with her team to elevate the breast care delivered in Rapid City. Following many years of hard work and dedication shared by numerous health professionals and leadership at Monument Health, this dream has now become a reality,” said Ashlea Semmens, M.D., Breast Care Program Director. “As an organization we are honored to be a NAPBC-accredited center. We greatly appreciate unwavering community support and the opportunity to serve our patients in this region with the highest level of breast care.” 

Accreditation by the NAPBC is granted only to those programs that are committed to providing the best possible care to patients with breast cancer. The NAPBC outlines the structure and resources needed to develop and operate a high-quality breast center and accredited program. Patients receiving care at this NAPBC-accredited center have access to:

• comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art services.
• a multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options.
• information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.

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About the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers represents a consortium of national, professional organizations dedicated to the quality of care of patients with diseases of the breast. Its board membership includes professionals from more than 20 national organizations that represent the full spectrum of breast care.  For more information, visit https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/napbc.  

About Monument Health

Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Jan. 9, 2024) – Monument Health today announced that Custer Hospital has been named a 2023 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, the global leader in health care experience solutions and services. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in patient experience.

As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award®, the Monument Health Custer Hospital Emergency Department is recognized for being in the top five percent of health care providers in the overall rating of care in the last year. “Everyone on our team — physicians, nursing staff, patient access, radiology, lab, EVS and more — is committed to working together in an effort to provide the best experience for every person in our community,” said James Woodhead, Director of Nursing Unit at Custer Hospital. “This comes at a time when patients, their families and friends are not having the best day, yet we are dedicated to finding a way to make it a little better.”

“We recognize Monument Health Custer Hospital as a top-performing leader in health care for their commitment to delivering exceptional patient experience,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO and chairman at Press Ganey. “They understand the importance of placing patients, health care professionals and industry partners at the core of our work. Monument Health Custer Hospital turns words into action by fostering a future where exceptional health care experiences are not just goals, but tangible achievements.”

“I don’t think this award will come as a surprise to anyone living and working in the Custer community,” added Barb Hespen, President of the Custer Market and Monument Health’s Chief Nursing Officer. “Custer is a tight-knit place, and our community members know that every caregiver and physician in the emergency department, and in every area of the hospital and clinic, strives for excellence every day.”

Press Ganey works with more than 41,000 health care facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care.

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About Press Ganey

Press Ganey, the leading Human Experience (HX) healthcare performance improvement company, offers an integrated suite of solutions that address safety, clinical excellence, patient experience and workforce engagement. The company works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care. Press Ganey is a PG Forsta company.

About Monument Health

Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Rapid City, S.D. (Dec. 5, 2023) – Monument Health announces three changes to its finance executive leadership team, effective Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

Mark Thompson, CPA, is moving into a role as Chief Business Development Officer. He has been with Monument Health for 33 years and has served as the Chief Financial Officer for the past 17 years. 

During his tenure he has successfully led Monument Health through exceptional growth, more than tripling total assets. His leadership helped ensure Monument Health’s exceptional bond ratings throughout many challenging economic times. Through increased savings and positive bond ratings, Monument Health has been able to invest in new technology, expanded services and new and improved facilities throughout the health system. 

In his new role Mark will oversee new strategic business initiatives that will continue to drive Monument Health forward.

Austin Willuweit, CPA, FHFMA, MPA,  has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Austin has been with Monument Health since 2016. In his role as Vice President of Finance, Austin led many important initiatives, including serving as the executive sponsor for the Workday enterprise resource planning system implementation and advancing financial planning, budget management and data analytics to position us for data-driven financial management processes going forward.

Jennifer Schmaltz, MBA, has been promoted to Vice President of Finance. She has been with Monument Health for 17 years. During her time at Monument Health, Jen has been an integral part of the finance leadership team serving as Director of Financial Services & Corporate Controller for the past 7 years. Jen has led financial stewardship for Monument Health developing plans for growth, reducing expenditure, working with department directors to develop financial plans, managing accounting procedures, analyzing financial data and creating robust financial models which have guided many financial decisions. 

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About Monument Health

Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Rapid City, SD (Nov. 30, 2023) – Abby Wortman, RRT, ACCS, was awarded Monument Health’s PHIL award. The Phil Award, which is 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 and treatment for patients with respiratory illnesses. Winners are nominated by patients, family members and other caregivers.

Abby was nominated by another coworker who recognized her by saying, “Abby responds quickly to requests for Respiratory Therapy (RT) care and is always professional and kind.” Her nominator went on to say that, “every patient interaction was met with genuine concern for the patient. Her patients appreciate her calm and kind demeanor… and her infectious smile.” 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in her role as a Clinical Specialist, Abby provided assistance and education to other patient care teams in the event RTs were unable to assist. The nomination continued, “I cannot think of someone more deserving than Abby or who I would want caring for my family or me. She truly epitomizes the values that Monument Health represents!”

Abby has been a Respiratory Therapist with Monument Health since December 2008, providing leadership as a Clinical Specialist and caring for patients in the ICU, NICU and the Emergency Department. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she took on a position as a Clinical Instructor for South Dakota State University’s Respiratory Care program.

Monument Health adopted The PHIL award in April 2023 to recognize respiratory therapists who are heart and lung specialists. They work with patients of all ages, from premature babies to the elderly. Disease states or conditions often requiring diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory care include asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome. Respiratory Therapists also manage ventilators and artificial airway devices for adult, pediatric and infant patients who can’t breathe normally on their own.

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About the FACES Foundation

The FACES Foundation was founded in 2006 to acknowledge and promote professional excellence in the education and care of patients with life-threatening pulmonary illnesses. The FACES Foundation is dedicated to educating professionals, patients, and families on issues relevant to lung disease.

About Monument Health

Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 38 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.