Doctor Profiles 
What Physician Giving programs have you helped launch?
One of the key initiatives I launched was the Medical Staff Match Program, where the medical staff matches any donation made by a member of the medical staff to the Monument Health Foundation, up to $40,000 per year. This program has been a tremendous success.
Physicians care deeply about the health and well-being of our community, and the Foundation plays a vital role in supporting patients with essential services that often fall outside traditional insurance coverage. For example, a patient living in rural South Dakota who requires daily radiation therapy may face significant transportation barriers — something health insurance does not typically cover. In those cases, the Foundation is able to step in and provide assistance, ensuring access to care that might otherwise be out of reach.
What is philanthropy to you and why do you feel it is important at Monument Health?
Philanthropy is about caring for one another. We all face difficult times. I feel deeply passionate about being part of that human experience — helping to build and sustain a culture of compassion, generosity and shared humanity. When times are good, it becomes our responsibility to extend that same support to others. That, to me, is what a healthy community looks like: need a penny, take a penny; have a penny, give a penny.
Part of the reason philanthropy is so important to Monument Health is that some of our most crucial service lines — such as the intensive care unit for newborn babies — cannot sustain themselves on reimbursement alone. Without additional funding, these essential services simply would not exist. So when you give a penny, you may very well be helping to save the life of a baby you’ve never met. And that same mother, with her smiling six-month-old, might be standing in front of you in line at the coffee shop one day — a quiet = reminder of the unseen impact your generosity made.
As a social media influencer, how do you raise awareness of the incredible things Monument Health is accomplishing?
With over one million views each month on TikTok, I have a unique opportunity to share messages of encouragement, love and resilience. I take that responsibility very seriously. My followers understand that Monument Health works tirelessly to overcome the unique challenges of providing rural health care — while still delivering top-quality care. This was reflected when we received the highest safety rating in South Dakota from Leapfrog Group.
My followers also know that my connection to this community runs deep. I have more than 30 family members who live in this area. My father served as a family practice physician here for 40 years, my sister is a dermatologist, and my brother is an ophthalmologist. I also experienced one of life’s hardest moments — watching my mother pass away within these hospital walls. So when I say I care about what we do and how we do it, that is an understatement. I am committed to ensuring that we provide the absolute best care possible.
Is there a fund or department close to your heart that you encourage people to give to?
There are two causes that I am especially passionate about. The first is building emotional resilience in children who are experiencing a medical procedure or living with a chronic illness. Right here in the Black Hills, we are developing innovative programs that I believe will one day serve as models for other regions.
The second area is substance use disorder. My late younger brother struggled with this incredibly complex and painful issue. Each person we help through recovery impacts far more lives than we can see. For every individual battling this, there are countless family, friends and loved ones who are affected by the struggle and searching for hope. Expanding access recovery programs in our community can make a tremendous difference.
“When times are good, it becomes our responsibility to extend that same support to others. That, to me, is what a healthy community looks like. Need a penny, take a penny, have a penny, give a penny.” — Michael Huot, M.D.