Hear From Experts Here for You!

Dr. Jeffrey Smith with Prairie Lakes Dermatology Clinic Shares UV Safety Awareness Tips

July is UV Safety Awareness month, perfect for a month full of hot and sunny summer days. However, having too much fun in the sun can lead to more than just family memories - it can lead to painful sunburns, which could ultimately lead to melanoma. 
Dr. Jeffrey Smith, Dermatologist with the Prairie Lakes Dermatology Clinic visited with KXLG to offer his expertise and advice on simple ways to protect yourself against the sun's harmful rays. 

Dr. Jon McAreavey Speaks About the Importance of Advance Directives

June is Men's Health Month - a time in which we specifically focus on health topics that relate to men. Most men don't feel as comfortable discussing their health, chronic conditions, pain, or discomfort as women do. In particularly, making plans for an emergency health crisis before it becomes necessary. In this week's episode, Dr. Jon McAreavey - a Family Medicine physician in Prairie Lakes Primary Care, speaks with KWAT about the importance of establishing an Advance Directive and other common health concerns for men. 

Speech Language Pathologist Kirsten Blackwell Raises Awareness for Common Communication Disorders

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month - an opportunity to raise awareness of common communication disorders and the incredible work both Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) and Audiologists do to help! In this week's episode, Kirsten Blackwell, SLP in the Prairie Lakes Rehabilitation Clinic shares her insight on who might need her services and why. She also explains how to schedule an appointment by first getting a referral from a primary care provider. 

Learn the Warning Signs of Stroke, Common Risk Factors to Avoid, and the importance of Mission: Lifeline Stroke

With a stroke - every second matters! That is why this May (also knows as American Stroke Month) Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) is all doing all that we can to ensure that our neighbors are familiar with the warning signs of stroke in order to get medical attention and care to a patient as soon as possible.
PLHS is participating in the Mission: Lifeline Stroke initiative with the American Heart Association. Listen as Monica Everson, Director of Emergency Medicine, explains the Mission: Lifeline Stroke initiative and the warning signs of a stroke - B.E.F.A.S.T.
This national health initiative pulls together medical resources from hospitals, clinics, and emergency response agencies to ensure there is a standardized approach to caring for stroke victims. Essentially, no matter where you are or who is tending to you, your stroke care will be performed the same way which reduces error and ensures testing, medication, transportation, and next steps are performed succinctly and accurately to improve outcomes. 

Shannon Barker, Event Coordinator Speaks with KWAT About the Upcoming 28th Annual Hospital Hill Run

Movement is Medicine! And what better way to get your daily movement in than spending a Saturday morning outside with your family, friend, and neighbors running or walking in our upcoming 28th Annual Hospital Hill Run? This year's race will be held on Saturday, June 7th with check-in starting at 7am and the race beginning promptly at 8am. There are events available for all ages and all fitness levels with a brief awards ceremony and refreshment immediately after the last participant finishes. Register today and receive an "early bird" discount, all local healthcare workers get a $10 discount, and all children 12 and under are free!
Learn more about the event, most notably that the event raises funds and awareness for the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House - a home away from home for patients and/or their loved ones to stay while they receive treatment within Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. 

Brandy Paszek, OTR Talks Occupational Therapy with KXLG

Heard the term "occupational therapy" but never really understand what it meant or why you might need that service? Most are confused by the profession until it becomes necessary in the continuum of patient care so we asked Occupational Therapist Brandy Paszek to explain. She recently spoke with KXLG about the service provided, why occupational therapy is an important element in recovery, and how our Occupational Therapy team works to care for our patients with excellence each and every day.

Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Casey Johnston Talk Shoulder Pain, Common Injuries, and Simple Solutions with KXLG

Shoulder pain is quite common and can be caused by a myriad of things from arthritis, to injury, to bad anatomy. In this week's episode, Dr. Casey Johnston, Orthopedic Surgeon from Prairie Lakes Orthopedics Clinic sits down with KXLG to chat about shoulder pain and what can be done to ease that pain. Dr. Johnston is confident that no matter the reason for your shoulder pain, the Prairie Lakes Orthopedics Clinic can help! For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call 605-882-2630 or visit our website. 

PLHS Strength & Conditioning Coach, Aaron Jung, Talks with KWAT About the Prairie Lakes Summer Strength Program

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Strength & Conditioning Coach, Aaron Jung, recently spent some time with Mike and Randy at KWAT to share his insight into the importance of strength training, especially student athletes, and how his athletic experience has led him to create the Prairie Lakes Summer Strength Program. Registration is now open for 2025 Arrow Strength in Watertown, SD and 2025 Warrior Strength in Castlewood, SD. 
Both programs will help student-athletes from grades 7-12 to make the most out of their off season. Arrow Strength also offers a College Prep session for athletes that have graduated and have signed a letter of intent to play college sports. 
For more information, visit www.prairielakes.com/summerstrength.com 

Dr. Scott Torness Explains How to Find the Right Summer Shoe with KXLG

April marks Foot Health Awareness Month - as well as the start of the warmer spring-time weather. What a perfect time to check in with Dr. Scott Torness from the Prairie Lakes Podiatry Clinic to find out how to find the best summer shoe for our foot health!

PLHS Registered Dietitians Share Their Expertise this National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month - the theme this year is "Food Connects Us!" It was the perfect opportunity to connect two of our Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Registered Dietitians with Mike and Randy at KWAT to discuss the importance of proper nutrition, the adverse effects poor nutrition and unhealthy diets have on the body, and how dietitians work across the entire healthcare industry to improve the health of patients from the inside out.