We are proud to announce that Elevate Rapid City has awarded the 2026 Granite Award to Monument Health. Per Elevate: “The Granite Award is given to a business that is an asset to the area and is a pillar of our community; a business that is stable and solid as ‘granite.’”
Monument Health began as two Rapid City-based community hospitals nearly five decades ago and has grown into Western South Dakota’s largest health care system and employer. Today, we employ more than 6,200 people and operate facilities throughout the region, including our recent acquisition of Rapid City Medical Center (RCMC), which expands our ability to serve patients across multiple locations while maintaining the personalized care our community deserves.
After more than 50 years of partnership with Elevate, this recognition acknowledges our clinical excellence, financial performance and our role as an economic anchor and community partner throughout the Black Hills region.
Elevate recognized us across every dimension of our community partnership. Our 10-year, $750 million master facilities investment plan signals long-term commitment to the region. Our growth to 524 physicians and advanced practice providers and our recent acquisition of Rapid City Medical Center mean families can access specialty care close to home rather than traveling to Denver or Minneapolis. Our $233 million annual community benefit — including $91 million in care provided regardless of ability to pay — demonstrates our values in action.
New service lines and personnel additions continue to expand our capabilities, including a fellowship-trained Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Tommaso Cambiaghi, M.D,. who performs complex aortic surgery and minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures, Steven Donahue, M.D., the region’s first and only fellowship-trained Colorectal Surgeon who offers specialized treatment for complex colorectal conditions and Keely Ulmer, M.D., fellowship-trained Gynecologic Oncologist, who specializes in treatment of reproductive organ cancers. This growth means families can access sophisticated medical care without leaving the region.
“Receiving the Granite Award reflects our unwavering commitment to growing with this community, investing in this community, and showing up consistently, year after year, for the people we serve,” said Paulette Davidson, Monument Health President and CEO. “We’re proud to call the Black Hills home and honored to be recognized as a pillar of this region.
The award ceremony takes place June 9 at The Monument, where we’ll be celebrated alongside other regional business leaders. More importantly, this recognition reinforces what you already know, Monument Health doesn’t just serve this community, we help build it.
