Author: Stephany Chalberg

SPEARFISH, S.D., (Oct. 14, 2025) – Monument Health announced that it has purchased the Northern Hills Cinema building and will lease the space to local businessmen Doug Markworth and Norm Fasse, ensuring the theater remains open and operational for the Spearfish community.

The announcement comes as welcome news to the community following the recent announcement that the theater would be closing.

Monument Health acquired the property, which is adjacent to the Spearfish Hospital campus, as part of its long-term strategic planning. When Markworth and Fasse approached the health system about continuing theater operations, Monument Health recognized an opportunity to support both community vitality and its own growth needs.

“As Monument Health continues to expand to meet the health care needs of our region, we also understand that healthy communities need places where families can gather and enjoy time together,” said Thomas Worsley, President of Monument Health Spearfish Hospital and Hills Markets. “We’re honored to partner with Doug and Norm to keep this treasured community asset operating. This is about more than real estate—it’s about preserving what makes Spearfish a wonderful place to call home.”

Markworth and Fasse officially took over theater operations Monday.

“We’re grateful to Monument Health for believing in this partnership and giving us the opportunity to keep the lights on and the popcorn popping,” said Doug Markworth. “This theater has been making memories for generations, and we’re committed to making sure it continues to do so.”

“When Norm and I found out Monument Health was purchasing the land and buildings we knew there was an opportunity to keep the theater open,” said Doug Markworth. “Monument was immediately receptive to enter into lease discussions with us to save the theater. We were able to successfully purchase the theater business and everything came together in a very short time. It was very important to us to do everything we could to keep the movies showing without interruption. We want to thank all of the people who have expressed their support for our theater as we move forward.”

Monument Health will not be involved in the daily operations of the cinema. For information about theater operations, showtimes, and updates, please follow Northern Hills Cinema’s social media pages and website.

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 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 30, 2025) – Monument Health is proud to announce the addition of Steven Donahue, M.D., the first fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon to join the organization and the only practicing colorectal surgeon in Rapid City. Dr. Donahue’s arrival brings a previously unavailable subspecialty to the Black Hills region, allowing  patients access to specialized colorectal care, close to home.

Dr. Donahue joins Monument Health’s General Surgery group at Rapid City Hospital, where he will treat a wide range of conditions involving both simple and complex colorectal procedures. Colorectal surgery is uniquely varied in scope, allowing surgeons to provide both highly specialized care and broad treatment options for diverse patient needs.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Donahue and this essential subspecialty to our region,” said Bradley Anderson, M.D., Executive Medical Director. “His expertise means our patients can now receive the most advanced colorectal surgical care close to home, with the continuity and convenience that comes from being treated within our integrated health system.”

Dr. Donahue completed his colorectal surgery fellowship at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, following his general surgery residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, demonstrating his commitment to serving the region where he trained.

The addition of fellowship-trained colorectal surgery services represents a significant advancement in Monument Health’s surgical capabilities, providing patients access to the latest minimally invasive techniques and specialized procedures for conditions ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to colorectal cancer.

In addition to Dr. Donahue, Monument Health has welcomed 31 new physicians between July 1 – Oct. 1, 2025. 

Those 31 new physicians joining Monument Health this quarter represent 15 medical specialties: Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery | Colon & Rectal Surgery | Endocrinology | Family Medicine | Gastroenterology | Gynecologic Oncology | Hospital Medicine | Internal Medicine | Neurology | Obstetrics & Gynecology | Orthopedic Surgery | Otolaryngology | Psychiatry | Pulmonary/Critical Care | Sleep Medicine

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 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

RAPID CITY, S.D., (SEPT. 23, 2025) – Monument Health and Dakota Radiology broke ground today on a 12,000 sq. ft. expansion of their jointly operated health care facility at 2929 5th Street in Rapid City. The expansion will bring advanced diagnostic imaging technology closer to home for patients across the region.

Dakota Radiology and The Imaging Center (TIC) will add 6,000 sq. ft. on the first floor to house a new MRI unit and PET/CT scanner, significantly expanding diagnostic capabilities. Monument Health will utilize an additional 6,000 sq. ft. on the second floor to expand clinical services. The building currently houses Monument Health’s Wound Care and Sleep Medicine services alongside The Imaging Center.

“Monument Health is truly proud to stand alongside our clinical partners at Dakota Radiology in celebrating this exciting expansion,” said Emily Leech, Monument Health, Associate Vice President Lab and Imaging. “This groundbreaking represents more than just expansion of a building—it represents the strength of our partnership with Dakota Radiology and our shared commitment to advancing health care in our region.”

The new imaging technology will reduce patient wait times and eliminate the need for many residents to travel to larger cities for specialized diagnostic services. The state-of-the-art MRI will feature faster scan times for improved patient experience, while the digital PET/CT scanner will provide comprehensive cancer screening and monitoring capabilities, supporting Monument Health Cancer Care Institute with cutting-edge diagnostic tools that allow patients to remain close to home during treatment. The expansion will also increase availability for high-risk breast cancer screening.

“Today, we’re proud to celebrate the expansion of Dakota Radiology and Monument Health Clinic—an achievement that represents the strength of partnership, the power of collaboration, and our shared commitment to delivering world-class imaging care to our community,” said Joel Brink, M.D., Dakota Radiology Medical Director. “This joint venture is more than a business alignment. It is a great partnership grounded in a unified vision: to continue to bring advanced diagnostic imaging services to where our patients live, ensuring that every patient receives timely, accurate and compassionate care.”

The facility expansion is expected to be completed in Fall 2026.

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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 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

About Dakota Radiology 

Dakota Radiology has been serving the Black Hills and local hospitals for over 70 years, providing comprehensive diagnostic imaging services throughout the region. Located at 2929 5th Street in Rapid City, their team of board-certified radiologists partners with clinics across the region to deliver timely, accurate diagnostic interpretations. Through The Imaging Center, Dakota Radiology offers a full range of imaging services including MRI, CT, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine studies.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 16, 2025) – Monument Health continues its aggressive expansion to meet growing regional health care demands, adding 31 new physicians between July 1 and October 1, 2025. This surge brings the total physician recruitment to 107 new providers over the past 27 months.

The latest additions include three groundbreaking subspecialty services previously unavailable in the Black Hills region, eliminating the need for patients to travel outside the community for complex care.

New Subspecialty Care Includes:

• Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery – Expanding Monument Health’s nationally recognized Heart and Vascular Institute with complex aortic surgery and minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures
• Fellowship-trained Colorectal Surgery – The first and only practice of its kind in Rapid City, offering specialized treatment for complex colorectal conditions
• Gynecologic Oncology – Completing Monument Health’s comprehensive Cancer Care Institute with specialized treatment for reproductive organ cancers

The recruitment drive significantly strengthens primary care access with 11 new family medicine and internal medicine physicians, while expanding critical specialties including Gastroenterology, Neurology, Orthopedic Surgery and Pulmonary/Critical Care medicine.

The recruitment surge addresses critical access gaps, with Monument Health’s new Urgent Care clinics in Box Elder and Rapid Valley already treating nearly 700 patients since opening in August.

“These additions represent our commitment to bringing world-class specialty care to western South Dakota,” said Brad Archer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer. “Our patients can now access complex procedures and subspecialty treatments that previously required travel to major metropolitan areas.”

The expanded physician network also supports Monument Health’s Endocrinology practice, which treated nearly 10,000 patients last year, underscoring the critical need for continued growth in specialty care across the region.

New physicians represent 15 specialties: Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery | Colon & Rectal Surgery | Endocrinology | Family Medicine | Gastroenterology | Gynecologic Oncology | Hospital Medicine | Internal Medicine | Neurology | Obstetrics & Gynecology | Orthopedic Surgery | Otolaryngology | Psychiatry | Pulmonary/Critical Care | Sleep Medicine

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 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 2, 2025) – Monument Health’s new Rapid Valley Clinic opens to patients today, expanding health care access in the rapidly growing community. The clinic represents Monument Health’s commitment to bringing care closer to home for area residents.

This marks the second such facility to open within the past month. On August 4, Box Elder Clinic opened.

Both clinics aim to address the significant health care needs of the growing communities of Box Elder and Rapid Valley. Prior to their opening, approximately 30% of the patients who visited the two Rapid City Urgent Care locations were residents of Box Elder or Rapid Valley, demonstrating the clear demand for local health care services.

Both facilities offer family medicine, primary care and urgent care services. The clinics feature on-site laboratory and digital x-ray services, with walk-in medical treatment available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both clinics have five urgent care rooms, six family medicine rooms and a treatment room for setting sprains or stitching wounds.

“These new clinics represent our commitment to meeting patients where they are,” said Thane Gale, M.D., Medical Director of Monument Health Urgent Care. “Residents of Box Elder and Rapid Valley no longer need to drive into Rapid City for routine care or urgent medical needs. We’re bringing comprehensive primary and urgent care services directly to their neighborhoods.”

The new clinics represent Monument Health’s third and fourth free-standing urgent care facilities in the Rapid City area, joining locations at 2116 Jackson Blvd. and 1303 N. Lacrosse St.

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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 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

SPEARFISH, S.D. (Aug. 28, 2025) – Monument Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine strengthens its ongoing commitment to Spearfish High School Athletics by delivering comprehensive athletic training services and advanced strength and conditioning programs throughout the academic year.

In addition to strength and conditioning programming throughout the school year, this summer over 200 student-athletes are participating in the summer SHS Performance Camp under the guidance of Eric Santure, CSCS, Monument Health Performance Coach, emphasizing improving overall athletic performance while decreasing injury prevalence.

“Supporting local student-athletes through quality training and injury prevention creates lasting value,” said Eric. “Our goal extends beyond immediate performance gains—we’re developing young people who will carry these principles of excellence into every aspect of their futures.”

To further advance the program’s capabilities, Thomas Worsley, President of Monument Health Spearfish Hospital and the Hills Markets, joined Eric and Justin Feeser, Monument Health Manager of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northern Hills, in presenting a $5,000 contribution to Dalton Wademan, Spearfish High School Activities Director. This investment will enhance strength and conditioning resources available to all SHS student-athletes.

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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 (Aug. 13, 2025) – Monument Health proudly announces continued improvements to their CMS Hospital Quality Star Rating, reaffirming its unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional, quality health care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Rapid City Hospital has again elevated its rating to a 4-star rating. Combined with the recently announced Leapfrog A-safety grade, Rapid City Hospital continues to demonstrate measurable upgrades in patient care quality and safety.

“Monument Health physicians, nurses and caregivers continue to make a dedicated commitment to providing high-quality, safe patient care,” said Jill Tice, Vice President of Quality, Safety and Risk Management. “I am proud of the progress we have made and know we will continue to strive for excellence in all aspects of patient care.”

According to CMS, the overall star rating is based on how well a hospital performs across different areas of quality, including treatment of conditions such as heart attacks and pneumonia, readmission rates and safety of care.

In addition to CMS recognition, U.S. News & World Report also recognized Rapid City Hospital as a high-performing hospital in providing care for and treating Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Heart Attack, Pacemaker procedures, Pneumonia and Prostate conditions.

Continued improvements in various areas have contributed to Rapid City Hospital’s enhanced ratings. For this reporting period, notable factors include a decrease in all-cause unplanned readmissions, a reduction in the 30-day mortality rate for CABG, Heart Failure, and Acute Ischemic Stroke patients, as well as a decreased length of stay for Heart Failure patients. The positive impact on patient surveys was primarily attributed to the responsiveness of hospital staff and the provision of appropriate discharge information.

Additionally, in 2023, the hospital achieved zero Central Line-Associated Bloodstream infections, demonstrating a strong commitment to patient safety. Additionally, there was a remarkable 66% reduction in colorectal surgical site infections (SSIs) from 2022 to 2023. Throughout 2023, Rapid City Hospital also maintained a very low C. difficile infection rate, further highlighting its dedication to providing high-quality care.

These improvements reflect Monument Health’s systematic approach to quality enhancement and patient safety protocols.

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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.