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The Sweet Spot
Megan Winter, RN, discovers her ideal role at Monument Health through helping patients.
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Articles
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A Team Approach
Advanced Practice Providers demonstrate that patients at Monument Health benefit from a team approach to care.
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Touch and Go
As first contact caregivers, Intensive Care Unit nurses rarely get the opportunity to find out how their patients ultimately fare. When Dillon Robbins, a grateful patient, returns to thank the caregivers, they each get to experience a rare feeling — closure.
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Laura Brunmaier Builds a Foundation For New Discoveries
To paraphrase 1980s one-hit wonder Matthew Wilder, nothing is going to break the stride of Laura Brunmaier, and there is no slowing down the South Dakota Mines Ph.D. research assistant.
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Community Strong
As a Community Relations Specialist and former Miss South Dakota, Anna Whetham has a passion for bringing groups together. Her awareness of community needs and a harrowing medical experience provided a serendipitous backdrop to bring her unique skill set to Monument Health.
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Helping People Care for People
The Monument Health Foundation supports worthy causes connected to Monument Health, and their reach often goes further than most realize. The Monument Health Foundation provides a link between Monument Health […]
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My Space: Betty Nettleton
After 32 years in a number of roles at the VA, Betty had more than earned retirement. But in the face of a pandemic, she returned to take on the […]
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Our Space: Printing Services
Larry Mills, Jose Huertas and Pattie Paulsen touch every aspect of Monument Health’s printed communication, running a full-service print shop within Monument Health. Monument Health’s print shop has been operating […]
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My Space: Krishna Blair
Information Technology plays a crucial role in keeping Monument Health capable of providing the best possible care. That’s why Krishna Blair, Senior Desktop Analyst, does his best to keep technology […]
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My Space: Patrick Sabrowski
29-year-old Patrick Sabrowski was diagnosed with autism before he turned 3. Despite his communication challenges, Monument Health’s partnership with Black Hills Works means Patrick has an important role to fill.
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My Space: Brian Blenner
Monument Health’s Safety Services team, led by Safety Services Director Brian Blenner, is working hard to ensure our caregivers and our patients are safe. This includes Life Safety as well as addressing Workplace Violence.
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My Space: McKenzie Grim
Health isn’t just a physical trait — mental health plays a significant role in people’s lives. Despite this, some people are hesitant to seek help. Luckily McKenzie Grim is ready […]
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Volunteer Profile: Doris Ann Mertz
Whether it’s serving on the Monument Health Custer Advisory Board or helping provide the community with accurate information about COVID-19, Doris Ann Mertz is committed to helping Custer.
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Volunteer Profile: Sue Holloway
For almost 30 years, Sue Holloway has found ways to volunteer in the Lead-Deadwood community — from helping the school library to supporting seniors.
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My Space: Joy Wilczynski
Paramedics and EMTs are emergency responders, but they also provide training and first aid in their communities. For Joy Wilczynski, caring for her neighbors in the Lead-Deadwood area has been her passion for over two decades.
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Finding his calling
James Woodhead, BSN, Director of Nursing in Custer, went to college in Arizona on a basketball scholarship. He didn’t start school knowing he wanted to be in nursing, but two […]
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In SEARCH of Caregivers
There’s one thing that’s true of these three Monument Health caregivers and graduates of Project SEARCH — they each take their roles very seriously. JP, Berkley and Cody all have […]
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It’s all part of the game
Software engineer Michael Paulson is among the thousands of gamers involved with Extra Life, raising money for children’s hospitals by doing something that they love: playing video games. Video games, […]
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My Space: Danny Morris
My Space: Danny Morris, Valet Supervisor, Rapid City Hospital. Rapid City Guest Services offers free valet services to Rapid City Hospital patients and their families at both the Cancer Care […]
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Provider Spotlight: Chris Barrozo, PA-C
Chris Barrozo, PA-C, Physician Assistant, Monument Health Orthopedics & Specialty Hospital. A surgical APP, like Chris, often see patients before, during and after surgery. These visits provide the surgeon with […]
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125 Years of Health Care in Lead-Deadwood
Caregiver, Nicole Shiffrar, literally wrote the book on the Black Hills’ historic hospital. The Black Hills of South Dakota are steeped in equal parts history and legend. Prospectors and outlaws […]
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My Space: Carla Stark
Settling in at Monument Health — and in the Black Hills — is different for each new physician. Regardless of what assistance they need, Carla is here to help. In […]
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My Space: Ty White
Ty White’s infection prevention and control team touches every person at Monument Health, from patients and visitors to caregivers and contractors. The Infection Control team is responsible for the development, […]
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Honoring the legacy
When Julie Raymond, M.D., Director of the Breast Cancer Center at Monument Health, passed away, her colleagues lost an inspiration and a friend. The entire region lost a force for good.
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New Beginnings: Sandra Gruenig
Sandra Gruenig never planned to work in health care, but after moving to the Black Hills from the Philippines, she found her true calling in nursing.
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My Space: Eric Brouillette
Eric Brouillette’s position takes him all around Monument Health’s northern communities where he works to support fellow Monument Health caregivers.
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My Space: Paige Whitacre
Paige Whitacre, Manager, Communications Center and Security Dispatch Center. The Communications Center is a 24/7, 365-day operation and plays a crucial role in keeping everyone connected and informed of emergency […]
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My Space: Kim Bloom
Kim has seen many changes in her 22 years within the laundry department — from new buildings to updated technology — but the one constant is Kim’s cheerful disposition, as […]
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My Space: Theresa & Stephanie
LiveWell by Monument Health is a voluntary well-being initiative offering support, resources and rewards to physicians and caregivers. Theresa Ferdinand joined Monument Health 32 years ago and Stephanie Iverson started […]
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My Space: Dani Jeffres
Along with maintaining the grounds at all Monument Health locations in Rapid City, the grounds team works closely with contractors to coordinate projects and repairs. My Role As grounds lead […]
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Nurse Profile: Dayna Swanson, RN
When Dayna Swanson, RN, took an assignment at Monument Health, she didn’t know how long she would stay. After less than a year in the Black Hills, she started calling […]
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Hometown Care
More than two decades after getting involved in health care in the community where she grew up, Registered Nurse Barb Irwin is still as passionate as ever about working to […]
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Serving her Country: in combat boots or a crown
Combating homelessness among women veterans is a tough battle. one of the most effective — albeit unexpected — weapons in this fight might just be an evening gown. Homelessness is […]
Volunteer Profiles
Volunteer Profile: Bobbi Jean Jarvinen
Bobbi Jean is one of Monument Health’s most active volunteers. On top of her full-time role with Information Technology she also has volunteered more than 260 hours of her time […]
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Nurse Profile: Holly Perli, RN
Career paths aren’t always straight lines — and sometimes, taking the long way around leads exactly where you’re meant to be.
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Volunteerism: Rhonda Schaffer
Volunteerism doesn’t just mean supporting one organization directly. Sometimes it’s finding ways you can independently raise funds or awareness for many local charities.
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Volunteerism: Mark Harder
Military service is a unique experience. Mark Harder works to make sure every veteran that enters a Monument Health facility is cared for and honored.
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Playing a Part in Dignity and Grace
Home health, hospice and palliative care are not taken lightly at Monument Health. End-of-life caregivers are messengers to the community that each life is profound and is worthy of excellent care.
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Giving Sorrow Words
Brianne Edwards compared the experience of losing her son, Lachlan, to a thousand pounds being dropped on her chest. Experiencing joy again seemed impossible, but she found a way for her and her son to always be together.
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My Space: Deb Himrich, RN
Deb is passionate about teaching people with diabetes how to live a healthy and full life. With improvements in technology and research, diabetes management strategies have never been more customizable and effective for patients.
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My Space: Laura Holland
Patient Care Champions (PCCs) support clinical staff in providing excellent, effective and safe patient care. They have the opportunity to truly make a difference in patients’ lives. Every day.
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My Space: Elle Larsen
Monument Health’s Real Estate Department is working to transform the health care landscape of the Black Hills. This includes new buildings to ensure the future needs of these communities are met.
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My Space: Samantha Chilstrom
As babies grow and get older, you never know when it’s the last time they’ll need you to pick them up or rock them to sleep.
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More Than Medicine
The Monument Health Family Medicine Residency Clinic in Rapid City was created nearly 30 years ago to address two challenges: a shortage of rural doctors and a need for care in underserved neighborhoods of North Rapid City. Today, the clinic continues to meet those needs, but it does so much more.
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A Family of Care
Award-winning family develops strong bonds with patients.
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A Look Inside
Radiologic Technologist Robert Schroeder has made a career of looking below the surface and — just as importantly — teaching the art of caring.
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Together Again
Amanda and Katie – reunited and striking up conversation
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A Full Ride on the Frontlines
Caregiver Jordan Hanley, RN, discovered that a supportive environment is crucial to finding your next level. Jordan Hanley, RN, always knew — even when she was a little girl growing […]
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Community and Culture
There are about as many different coffee orders as there are caregivers at Monument Health. And the baristas crafting each drink are every bit as unique as the orders they serve.
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Feels Like Home
Fifty years working at the same hospital sounds like a big commitment, but for Wanda Schummer, it’s been time well spent.
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Cover Story: Making Christmas
Holiday magic is hard work. Luckily, Monument Health caregivers Dana Darger and Denny Leibel are up to the task.
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Amy Gartner, CRNA Director Anesthesia Services, Rapid City
Amy leads a team of 50 certified registered nurse anesthetists who work at three different Monument Health facilities.
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Making miracles happen
Shawn Powers doesn’t treat pediatric patients at Monument Health, but his work impacts their lives each and every day — not through clinical care, but through his role as the […]
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On Call, For You
“I work with an amazing team from incredibly varied backgrounds. We have nurses that have previously specialized in OB, Urgent Care, ED, Cardiology, Ambulatory/Clinic and Wound Care just to name a few. We each bring something specific and unique to the team, but I have never worked with such a well-balanced team. We each work on specific tasks throughout the day, but everyone is so helpful and each person is cross-trained to do every task. If one person is having difficult calls or situations, anyone else can jump in and help out, and they all do so willingly, often without being asked. They see the need and fill it.” When you’re experiencing a medical issue and you don’t know if you should schedule a primary care appointment, go to urgent care or head directly to the emergency room, triage call nurse Grace Hastey, RN, BSN, knows just what to ask: “We use proven protocols that we go through. We ask a lot of questions, and it’s very patient specific.”
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Monument Health Has Talent
Physicians, nurses and caregivers have a talent for making patients feel better. As it turns out, their talents extend far beyond the clinical setting.
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First Impressions & Lasting Connections
First impressions are important, and no one knows that better than the Patient Access team at Monument Health.
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A Culture of Caring
Patients of Monument Health’s Heart and Vascular Unit (HVU) can be at any stage in their health care journey, but they all deserve the best quality care. Nurses like Theresa […]
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A Patient’s Champion
Nursing Assistants provide vital support that plays an important role in the patient experience. CNAs like Bennett Smith are devoted allies for those in their care. When you treat everyone […]
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West River Nurse Honor Guard
Nurses regularly deal with death in their work, but often their own passing goes unrecognized. A new organization hopes to change that. For 42 years, Shirley Struble was a nurse […]
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The Work Lives On
For 20 years, Lynnett Rotert, BSRT, CBDT, was a bone density technologist at Monument Health’s Spearfish Clinic and worked in a clinical area called densitometry. She served the patients of […]
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Empowering Patients
Patient Relations Advocates help patients navigate the sometimes complicated world of health care. This special role takes a special person, and Shary Haag brings the perfect combination of emotional intelligence […]