Caregiver Feature 
Sydney Underhill never expected to find her calling on Oct. 25, 2023, shaken and terrified from a serious car accident. But as paramedics and nurses at Monument Health Spearfish Hospital comforted her, she realized she wanted to be the one providing that same reassurance to others.
In many ways, Sydney, 19, is like any other young adult. The Belle Fourche graduate enjoys sushi nights with friends, thrift shopping, staying active, paddleboarding and spending time with her German Shepherd-Husky mix. But unlike many of her peers, she has a clear vision for her future—and the drive to make it happen.
Currently a Clinical Assistant at Monument Health Sturgis Clinic, Sydney starts her workday at 7:00 a.m., assisting with patient care, taking medical histories, performing EKGs and supporting nurses during procedures. Motivated and eager to learn, she’s also enrolled in Western Dakota Technical College’s Practical Nursing Program, a step toward her goal of becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Though Sydney always wanted a career helping others, a car accident when she was 17, solidified her path.
“It was a bad accident. It totaled everything. I was really scared, because I was in the ditch, and I was terrified about what happened to the other girl. I didn’t know what was going on,” said Sydney.
As paramedics checked her vitals, they found that Sydney’s blood pressure and heart rate were extremely high, raising concern about cardiac arrest. As she went into shock over what had just occurred, paramedics at the scene and nurses at Spearfish Hospital sat with Sydney, providing a calming presence.
“The kind of compassion that they had, I hold close with me every day. We need those kinds of people, and I wanted to do that,” said Sydney.
Following the accident, Sydney moved to online school as she recovered, eventually graduating high school early. Her graduation led her to a job as a Patient Access Specialist at Monument Health Sturgis Clinic, helping her learn about the administrative side of health care, including processing patient information, answering emails and managing the front desk. Over time, though, she realized she wanted a more hands-on role.
“I started talking to my clinic director, and I voiced that I’d like to get to the more physical side of health care. And so, I was offered the Clinical Assistant role, and ever since then, I have loved my job. Every single day I come to work, I’m excited to see my patients,” said Sydney.
Soon after beginning her new role, Sydney also realized that her experience in administrative and now clinical roles gave her a unique perspective.
“I became a middleman between the front desk and clinical staff,” Sydney said. “I saw things we could improve because I understood both sides.”
Recognizing her potential, fellow Sturgis nurses and providers encouraged Sydney to pursue her nursing license. With the guidance of Jimmy Seward, Director of Ambulatory Operations, and Kirstan Keffeler, RN, Supervisor Nurse, she learned about the Build Dakota Scholarship Program and Western Dakota Technical College’s Practical Nursing Program.
Established in 2015, the Build Dakota Scholarship Program helps address South Dakota’s workforce gap by providing financial support for students pursuing critical health care roles. In 2024, Monument Health sponsored 85 scholarship recipients, covering half of their tuition, with the rest funded by the state. Graduates have a 98-100% job placement rate.
“I am so thankful for their guidance, because I had no idea what I was doing applying for school at all. They got me connected with people at Western Dakota and were able to build a path for me through the Build Dakota Scholarship,” said Sydney. “My schooling is completely free. I will come out 100% debt free, which was a big thing because I didn’t know how to get to college, and I really wanted a career.”
As she completes her general education courses this summer and enters clinicals in the fall and spring, Sydney remains focused on her next steps. She plans to finish the Practical Nursing Program in one year, but she’s not stopping there.
“My goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” she says. “That’s where I’d ultimately like to be.”
To learn more about how Monument Health can help pay for your education, scan the QR code or visit monument.health/careers/studentopportunities.
Story: Colette Gannon
Photos: Bob Slocum