Author: Stephany Chalberg

RAPID CITY, S.D., June 2026 — Monument Health has been named Partner of the Year in the Community Hospital segment at Wellvana’s 11th annual Accountable Care Symposium, held last month in Denver, Colorado. The recognition came as part of the inaugural CARE Awards, which stand for Champions of Accountability, Results and Excellence and replace Wellvana’s longtime Pioneer Awards.

Monument Health is a member of Wellvana’s Accountable Care Organization, a national network of health systems, community hospitals and independent practices working to improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary costs through the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Wellvana serves approximately one million Medicare patients across 40 states and collectively saved Medicare $327 million in 2024.

Award candidates were evaluated on some of the most demanding markers of value-based care performance, including readmission rates, avoidable emergency department visits, wellness visit completion, clinical documentation accuracy and shared savings. Monument Health ranked among the top performers across Wellvana’s entire national network regardless of geography or resources.

Among the metrics that earned Monument Health this recognition: an avoidable emergency department visit rate of 177.4 per 1,000, reflecting strong primary care access and care coordination that keeps vulnerable populations connected to the right care in the right setting. Monument Health also launched a Next Day ED Follow-Up Program that produced measurable, sustained reductions in ED utilization, driven by workflow redesign, team training and community partnerships.

Wellvana’s CEO Susan Diamond noted that the organizations being honored have spent years building real systems, real workflows and real cultures committed to better patient outcomes. The CARE Awards signal a shift in how Wellvana views its partner network: no longer trailblazers exploring uncharted territory, but proven standard-bearers demonstrating what accountable care looks like when executed with discipline and commitment to patients.

About Monument Health

Monument Health is a community-based health system headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving 14 communities across western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. Monument Health includes 5 hospitals, more than 40 clinics and specialty centers, and more than 6,300 physicians and caregivers across 31 specialties. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

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New facility expands emergency care access along the I-90 corridor in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, S.D., (June 10, 2026) – Monument Health today opened the doors of its new free-standing Emergency Department at 1911 East Mall Drive in Rapid City, bringing high-quality emergency care closer to the communities along the Interstate 90 corridor. The facility marks the first completed phase of the Monument Health Emergency Services and Medical Campus and represents a significant investment in the long-term health infrastructure of the Black Hills region.

The one-story, 16,750 square-foot Emergency Department is equipped with full laboratory services, X-ray and CT scan capabilities, a covered ambulance garage, one trauma room, eight emergency exam rooms and two inpatient rooms. The facility is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians, the same standard Monument Health pioneered at Rapid City Hospital.

“As emergency medicine specialists, we are proud to bring the same level of expert care available at Rapid City Hospital to this new location,” said Brook Eide, M.D., Emergency Department Chair at Monument Health. “This facility allows us to provide critical emergency services to more patients, closer to where they live and work. Every minute matters in emergency medicine, and this campus is going to make a real difference for this community.”

This new emergency department serves a rapidly growing area of Rapid City and provides residents and visitors along the I-90 corridor with immediate access to life-saving emergency care.

“This location and facility allows Monument Health space and infrastructure to continue growing to meet the needs of our community,” said Paulette Davidson, Monument Health President and CEO. “The campus was designed with the future in mind, with room for additional buildings and services as our community’s needs evolve. We are committed to being here for this community for generations to come.”

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 6,300 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and more than 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

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Rapid City, S.D. (June 5, 2026) – Monument Health announces two appointments to its Executive Leadership Team, effective Monday, June 8, 2026.

Paula McInerney-Hall has been promoted to General Counsel for Monument Health. She most recently served as Associate General Counsel and has been with the organization for almost two and a half decades. Throughout her 24 years of service, Paula has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Monument Health’s mission, navigating complex legal landscapes with exceptional expertise, integrity, and deep institutional knowledge. Her leadership has been instrumental in protecting the organization and supporting its growth as a regional health care leader.

As General Counsel, Paula will serve as chief legal advisor for Monument Health and will join the Executive Leadership Team. In this role, she will provide executive leadership and direction across all corporate legal matters; advise on complex transactional matters, regulatory compliance, and governance; and partner with executive leaders to integrate sound legal frameworks into the organization’s overarching strategy.

“Monument Health has been my professional home for nearly a quarter of a century, and the organization’s mission and people are part of who I am,” said Paula. “I am honored to take on this expanded role and look forward to partnering with my colleagues on the Executive Leadership Team to continue making a difference for the families, friends and neighbors we serve every day.”

Ross McKie has been named Vice President, Philanthropy for Monument Health. McKie has served on Monument Health’s System Board and Rapid City Hospital Board since 2012, including terms as both Board Chair and Vice Chair, and chaired the organization’s Corporate Responsibility Committee for nearly a decade. A University of South Dakota business graduate, he has owned several Rapid City businesses and is a founding director of Black Hills Community Bank, where he has held leadership roles since 2007. His broader civic leadership includes service with the Children’s Home Society, the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City, and as an honorary commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base. McKie had recently entered retirement before agreeing to lead the Foundation.

As Vice President, McKie will serve as the executive leader of the Foundation and join the Executive Leadership Team, guiding the Foundation’s major gifts, signature events, Annual Giving, Children’s Miracle Network, the WeCare caregiver giving program, and clinical engagement. Philanthropic support at Monument Health makes possible the care, programs, and moments of compassion that go beyond what reimbursement covers – bringing advanced care closer to home for families across the Black Hills, supporting children’s care through Children’s Miracle Network, comforting patients and their families through Northern Hills Hospice, and standing alongside caregivers in times of need through WeCare.

“Being involved with Monument Health, its leadership, and its caregivers has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life,” said Ross. “Having the opportunity to continue to serve in this new role is both an honor and an exciting challenge. I came out of retirement because I believe deeply in the mission of Monument Health and the difference philanthropy can make. We will earn trust, build relationships, and create the philanthropic support needed to strengthen Monument Health for generations to come.”

“I am incredibly pleased to welcome Paula and Ross into these expanded leadership roles,” said Paulette Davidson, President and CEO of Monument Health. “Paula’s 24 years of dedicated service and exceptional legal expertise, paired with Ross’ decades of governance experience and deep commitment to our community, strengthen our Executive Leadership Team and Monument Health’s ability to serve our patients, families and caregivers for years.” 

About Monument Health

Monument Health is a community-based health system headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. With five hospitals, more than 40 clinics and specialty centers, and more than 6,300 physicians and caregivers across 31 specialties, Monument Health serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

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RAPID CITY, S.D. (June 3, 2026) — With an August 29, 2026, deadline approaching for South Dakota’s updated commercial driver’s license requirements, Monument Health Occupational Medicine is offering DOT physical examinations with same-week appointment availability to help drivers across the Black Hills region stay on the road and in compliance.

For approximately 20 years, South Dakota allowed intrastate CDL holders, drivers who operate commercially within the state only, to operate without a medical certificate. That exemption is ending. Following the passage of Senate Bill 10, an estimated 28,000 South Dakota CDL holders will now be required to obtain a valid DOT medical examiner’s certificate. Drivers who do not complete a qualifying physical and update their certification status before August 29 risk having their CDL downgraded.

The change primarily affects drivers with a “K” restriction on their CDL. These drivers must complete a DOT physical with a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry, have their certificate submitted electronically to South Dakota Driver Licensing, and then visit a driver exam station before August 29 to receive an updated license. A DOT physical generally includes a medical history review, vision and hearing screening, blood pressure evaluation and a physical exam to assess overall fitness for commercial driving.

Drivers needing to complete a DOT physical can visit Monument Health Occupational Medicine in Rapid City, who are currently offering same-week appointments or walk into any of our Monument Health Urgent Cares to complete their exam. As the August 29 deadline draws closer, drivers are encouraged to schedule this exam as soon as you can to allow time for electronic processing and license updates.

About Monument Health

Monument Health is a community-based health system headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. With five hospitals, more than 40 clinics and specialty centers, and more than 6,300 physicians and caregivers across 31 specialties, Monument Health serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (June 2, 2026) – For 24 years, Walking Forward has worked to close the gap in cancer outcomes for American Indian communities across western South Dakota. Now, the nationally recognized program is joining Monument Health once again, bringing more than two decades of community-based cancer navigation, research and education work under the health system and strengthening its ability to serve patients across western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. 

Walking Forward was founded in 2002 by Daniel Petereit, M.D., FASTRO, a radiation oncologist in Rapid City, with support from a National Institutes of Health research grant. For 24 years, the program has worked to close the gap in cancer survival rates between American Indian and non-American Indian populations in the region through patient navigation, community education, screening access and clinical trial participation. Research Specialists and Navigators embedded on the Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Cheyenne River Reservations, as well as in Rapid City and Pierre, have aided more than 5,500 American Indian community members. 

Along with the move to join Monument Health, Walking Forward has also gained support from Keely Ulmer, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist at the Monument Health Cancer Care Institute and a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation. Together, she and Dr. Petereit bring a shared commitment to reducing cancer disparities for American Indian communities across the region. 

“We are grateful to again officially partner with Monument Health as we continue 24 years of serving the Frontier population of western, SD, and the adjacent states.,” said Daniel Petereit, M.D., FASTRO and Keely Ulmer, M.D. “We will build upon our previous experience with new programs to address cervical and prostate cancer through enhanced screening and a new screening pathway for cervical cancer. We will continue to emphasize education, screening and treatment for breast, colorectal and lung cancers as well. Our ultimate goal is to lower cancer death rates for screen detectable cancers for both the Native and non-Native populations through a variety of community interventions.” 

As a community-based health system, Monument Health serves 14 communities in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming through five hospitals, more than 40 clinics and specialty centers, and more than 6,300 physicians and caregivers across 31 specialties. Walking Forward’s mission to reach underserved rural and tribal communities aligns directly with that commitment. 

“Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the state of South Dakota while the number of cancer survivors continues to grow,” said Kristi Gylten, Cancer Care Institute Director. “The significance of the work the Walking Forward program is doing to reduce the burden of cancer through prevention, early detection, accessible treatment and survivor support is noteworthy. The Walking Forward team has made a significant impact on easing the burdens associated with a cancer diagnosis, and yet they know the work is far from over and we can’t be more excited to partner with them once again to continue those efforts that directly impact the communities we serve.”   

Monument Health recognizes Avera Health for its stewardship of the Walking Forward program and the partnership the two health systems have maintained on behalf of patients and communities across South Dakota. 

“The transition of the Walking Forward program back to Monument Health is a testament to its strong history and impact in American Indian health,” said Amy Elliott, PhD, Chief Clinical Research Officer for Avera Research Institute. “We are excited for this next chapter for the Walking Forward program and we look forward to future collaborations supporting this important work.” 

Walking Forward’s active research portfolio includes a lung cancer screening navigation project in partnership with Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Indigenous Health, funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, as well as an expanded cervical health screening initiative in collaboration with the University of Michigan. The program also benefits from longstanding support from the Ralph Lauren Foundation and the Irving A. Hansen Memorial Foundation. 

For more information about Walking Forward and Monument Health’s cancer care services, visit monument.health/cancer. 

About Monument Health

Monument Health is a community-based health system headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. With five hospitals, more than 40 clinics and specialty centers, and more than 6,200 physicians and caregivers across 31 specialties, Monument Health serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

About Walking Forward

Walking Forward is a 24-year-old program dedicated to increasing cancer survival rates among American Indians in western South Dakota through community education, screening navigation and access to research and advanced treatments. The program is led by Daniel Petereit, M.D., and Keely Ulmer, M.D., and operates with navigators and research specialists embedded in tribal and urban communities across the region.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (June 1, 2026) —In its first full year of operation, the West River Health Science Center, a nursing pathway partnership between Black Hills State University and South Dakota State University, graduated 122 registered nurses across two classes. This milestone was made possible in part by Monument Health’s $2 million investment to expand the facility in 2022. Sixty-two of those graduates have committed to joining Monument Health.

Across four regional nursing programs this academic year, 195 new nurses are entering the workforce, and at least 87 have committed to Monument Health. That group spans South Dakota State University, Dakota Wesleyan University, and Western Dakota Tech, representing both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. DWU’s placement numbers are still growing as that class moves toward its official August graduation and July pinning ceremony.

The DWU connection runs deeper than a partnership on paper. Their Rapid City nursing program is housed in Monument Health’s Turbine Building, the same location where high school CNA students completed their skills review this spring.

“Western South Dakota has a real and persistent need for nurses, and these partnerships are how we meet it,” said Trina Allen, Vice President of Human Resources at Monument Health. “By the time many of these graduates accept an offer, they have had a financial relationship with us for two or three years. We’ve built this pipeline intentionally, and this year is proof it’s working.”

Scholarship programs have been central to that strategy. Thirty-two students across SDSU and DWU received Monument Health nursing scholarships this academic year, and 21 WDT graduates were Build Dakota Scholarship recipients, a designation that carries a commitment to work in South Dakota.

The workforce pipeline extends all the way to high school. This school year, roughly 80 students from Central High School, Spearfish High School, Rapid City Christian, and Custer High School enrolled in Monument Health’s CNA Pathway. Sixty-two tested for certification this spring, and 44 passed on their first attempt, a first-time pass rate more than 10 percent higher than last year. Every student who did not pass has already signed up to try again.

Placing student CNAs requires scheduling flexibility that has not always been fully available. Monument Health is addressing that through its new Career Development and Planning Center, which will include a student float pool designed to accommodate school schedules across the system.

Across every level of education, from high school certification to four-year nursing degrees, the region’s health care workforce is growing.

About Monument Health

Monument Health is a community-based health system headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. The organization serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming through five hospitals, more than 40 clinics and specialty centers, and 31 specialties. Monument Health’s team of more than 6,300 physicians and caregivers is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those they serve. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

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RAPID CITY, S.D.(May 1, 2026) — Rapid City Medical Center has officially joined Monument Health, the organizations announced today. The completion of this transaction marks a significant milestone in the two organizations’ longstanding commitment to physician leadership, community-based care and keeping health care decisions rooted in the Black Hills.

Patients can expect continuity of care with the providers they know and trust, now supported by the expanded resources and coordinated services of an integrated health system. Beginning May 4, RCMC services will be available at the following locations across Rapid City:

Mt. Rushmore Road Clinic — 2820 Mt. Rushmore Rd. | 605-342-3280

Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Urgent Care

South Clinic — 101 E. Minnesota St. | 605-342-3280

Family Medicine, Pain Medicine, Podiatry

West River ENT — 241 Minnesota St. | 605-791-0602

ENT

Infusion Services — Monument Health, 2880 5th St. | 605-755-7700

“Rapid City Medical Center was founded by physicians committed to caring for people in the Black Hills, and that commitment hasn’t changed,” said Jay Hammerquist, Rapid City Medical Center CEO. “Joining Monument Health means our patients will have access to even greater resources and a deeper network of care, while continuing to see the providers they know and trust right here at home.”

“Monument Health was built to serve the Black Hills, and welcoming Rapid City Medical Center into our family is a reflection of everything our mission stands for,” said Paulette Davidson, Monument Health President and CEO. “Together, we are better positioned to meet the evolving health care needs of our communities, today and for generations to come.”

Patients with questions about provider locations or scheduling are encouraged to visit rapidcitymedicalcenter.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 5,600 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

About Rapid City Medical Center

Rapid City Medical Center served the Rapid City community for decades until joining Monument Health in 2026. RCMC proudly provided multispecialty outpatient care including primary care, OB/GYN, pediatrics and specialty services rooted in physician leadership and community-based care.

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2026 Well-being Works Better™ Scorecard recognizes standouts in employee health and well-being 

RAPID CITY, S.D. (April 30, 2026) — The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives for all, has awarded Monument Health Gold recognition in the 2026 Well-being Works Better™ Scorecard, representing a notable commitment to the health of its workforce and community. 

Built on the Association’s 100-year history of saving and improving lives, the Scorecard brings together emerging research and input from leading experts to help employers create a healthy and effective work environment. Organizations can earn a recognition level of Completer, Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum based on their adherence to the Association’s recommended practices in areas such as mental health, burnout prevention, compensation and benefits, and more. 

The Scorecard serves as a strategic planning tool for Monument Health, helping assess current efforts, prioritize areas of focus, guide program implementation, and align communications to support year-over-year improvements in employee health and well-being. This is the organization’s third year completing the Scorecard. Monument Health initially achieved Silver recognition and has advanced to Gold over the past two years, with the Scorecard’s best practice recommendations supporting that progress and enabling the organization to sustain the Gold level. LiveWell at Monument Health demonstrates strong performance across key Scorecard areas, particularly in Communications, Programs and Interventions, Engagement, and Community Partnerships and Advocacy, with continued marked improvement in Leadership Support, Reporting Outcomes, and Organizational Well-Being as the strategy evolves.

“Our employees are of the utmost importance to our organization, and we know that when they’re healthy, our ability to serve our community is too. The Scorecard gives us valuable insights into the strategies that are working to help us best support our workforce in all areas of life,” said Trina Allen, Vice President of Human Resources at Monument Health. 

“At the heart of every thriving organization is a workforce that feels valued and supported,” said American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown. “We’re honored to recognize organizations that have made employee well-being a cornerstone of their culture through the Well-being Works Better Scorecard.” 

The American Heart Association’s Well-being Works Better is a curated solution for fostering and evolving a healthy work culture while supporting employees’ health—mind, heart and body. The Well-being Works Better Scorecard helps leaders assess their health and well-being strategy based on leading best practices. On completion, organizations receive access to a results dashboard with exclusive industry benchmarking data and resources for continued learning and improvement. 

Visit www.wellbeingworksbetter.org to learn more and view the full list of recognized employers. 

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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 5,600 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.