Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

12/20/2025

Dr. Aaron Shives plans to retire at the end of the month after serving multiple generations of families in the Watertown region for over 35 years. During that time, he has made an extraordinary impact on his patients and our community.

So much so that a patient of Dr. Shives worked with Watertown Mayor Ried Holien to declare Wednesday, December 31st, "Dr. Shives Day." The patient organized a small surprise ceremony at Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic Northridge last week.

To read more about Dr. Shives' retirement, click the link below:

December 31 Declared Dr. Shives Day Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Dr. Aaron Shives has been a prominent medical provider in the Watertown area for over 35 years. Starting his Family Medicine practice with Brown Clinic in August of 1989, Dr. Shives has served multiple generations of families and made....

12/19/2025

Behind every one of the 30 + medical specialties, like labor and delivery, primary care, general surgery, and cardiology offered at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System are over 800 dedicated medical and support professionals committed to ensuring you receive the best care for every stage of your life.

For more information on ways we can help you in this stage of life, visit www.prairielakes.com

12/18/2025

Midwest winter weather could produce a storm at any time. It's important to know the difference between alerts issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) in order to prepare your family properly:

- Winter Storm Advisory: Winter conditions are becoming difficult due to snow, ice, and sleet
- Winter Storm Watch: Heavy sleet, snow, or ice storms possible - everyone in the area should remain alert and get prepared
- Winter Storm Warning: A major winter weather event is expected - everyone should seek shelter and stay off the roads until the storm passes

If driving is absolutely necessary during a winter storm, ensure you have emergency supplies of food, water, warm clothing, and a full tank of fuel. If possible, travel during the daylight hours and avoid driving alone.

12/16/2025

Make 2026 the year you finally carve out time for YOU and focus on your overall health & wellness. Visit the 2026 PLHS Health & Wellness Expo to find out how!

What to Expect:
- 30+ Informational Tables from PLHS and other Codington County Agencies
- Community Blood Drive
- Health Screenings & Demos
- Interactive Specialty Services Booths
- Expert Speakers
- Educational Activities & Demos
- Complimentary Wellness Tools
- Family Fun
- Light Breakfast Goodies & Refreshments

This FREE event is open to the public from 9 am - 12 pm on Saturday, January 24th at the Codington County Extension Complex. For more information, click the link below:

https://www.prairielakes.com/healthandwellnessexpo/

12/15/2025

Need to warm up during this cold and blustery winter storm? This seasonal and hardy stew provides all of the cozy comfort you need, while loaded with veggies and lean protein to help keep your strength and energy up!

Click the link below for this, and many other, delicious and nutritious recipes from our friends at Mindful by Sodexo:

A hearty stew of tender chicken, thyme-scented leeks, carrots, peas, and fresh parsley topped with a flaky puff pastry crust

12/13/2025

During this busiest time of the year, it can be all too easy to put your own health on the back burner. However, one of the most powerful tools in medicine is not treatment but prevention. And prevention starts with something very simple: your annual exam with a Primary Care Provider (P*P).

Three reasons to schedule an annual exam today:
1- Preventative Screenings: based on your age/gender/medical history
2- Vaccinations: important as immunity changes with age/lifestyle/chronic conditions
3- Manage Chronic Conditions: establishes a relationship with your P*P

Read this week's Health & Wellness Journal entry by Dr. Alexandra Gauer, Prairie Lakes Primary Care for more usefule information:

The Power of Prevention: Why Your Annual Primary Care Visit Matters More Than Ever Posted: Monday, December 8, 2025 Written by: Alexandra Gauer, MD In a day and age where schedules fill up quickly, and life feels anything but slow, it can be all too easy to put your own health on the back burner. Ma...

12/12/2025

New Year, New Career!

Looking for a new and exciting career in healthcare? Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is actively seeking dedicated healthcare professionals to join our growing team. Whether you're a Registered Nurse (RN) looking for a rewarding nursing job, an IT specialist, a Sonographer, or a Pharmacist, we have exciting opportunities for you.

New job postings are shared regularly - make sure you're following Prairie Lakes Careers to see new opportunities as soon as they become available. For a list of current open positions, click the link below:

https://www.prairielakes.com/join-our-team/

12/11/2025

🚨 Local Businesses 🚨 Help us celebrate the "First Baby of the New Year" by contributing to a gift basket for the first baby born at Prairie Lakes in 2026! This is a great way to show your support for our newest community member in a special and memorable way. All businesses that contribute will have their logo included in the card.

We are accepting contributions of gift cards, vouchers, gifts for mom or the family, and new, gender-neutral baby items such as blankets, diapers, wipes, onesies, toys, books, etc.

To contribute, please contact Nicole at nicole.hansen@prairielakes.com or (605) 882-7693.

12/10/2025

This National Handwashing Awareness Week, we offer a gentle reminder to make sure you're washing your hands regularly - and in the appropriate way - to ensure you aren't unintentionally spreading germs this holiday season.

Unsure how much time an effective hand wash should take? Watch the video below for pointers, and let's all do our part to defend against disease!

https://www.prairielakes.com/health-library/story/a83319ed-117d-413d-a4ca-d1228deae253

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A thorough handwashing takes longer than you might think.

12/09/2025

We are excited to share that we have been named to the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list, a national ranking of general acute-care hospitals recognized for delivering high-quality, safe, and value-driven care.

Of the approximately 5,400 eligible U.S. acute-care hospitals, close to 2,500 met the methodology’s inclusion criteria. From these, only 253 earned an overall 5-star rating, placing PLHS among a select group of high-performing hospitals across the country.

“We are honored to be included on the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals list,” said John Allen, president and CEO of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care to the communities we serve across northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota.”

Read more here: https://www.prairielakes.com/news/releases/prairie-lakes-healthcare-system-named-to-forbes-top-hospitals-2026-list/

12/09/2025

Effective weight management isn’t just about losing pounds. It’s about gaining a healthier, more rewarding lifestyle. And... for a limited time, this 12-week course is priced as low as $10 per class!

Our PLHS Registered Dietitians will focus on boosting your overall health, relying on proven scientific methods to train you to improve your eating habits, lifestyle, and activity choices- for good!

Register on or before January 5th and save $20! Click the link below for more information, or to sign up today!

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Baby Gallery