[HOWARD, SD] — Horizon Health celebrated National Health Center Week with its annual Circle of Care Awards ceremony Aug. 5. The event honors team members and donors who have helped move forward the organization’s mission of providing health care for everyone regardless of their location or ability to pay.
Former South Dakota Lt. Gov. Matt Michels of Yankton provided the keynote for the event. He shared stories of his own life and how affordable, accessible health care made a difference to his family following his parents’ separation. He learned firsthand the impact that compassionate quality care can have on patient lives. He used those experiences to help shape public policy in South Dakota and continues in that role today as senior advisor and counsel to South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden.
Michels is a nurse and attorney who also served as an officer in the United States Navy. He represented District 18 in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1999 to 2005, serving as Speaker Pro Tempore for two years and Speaker of the House for four years. He was the first person since the 1950s to serve two terms as speaker. He was Lieutenant Governor with Gov. Dennis Daugaard from 2011-2019 and served as President of the South Dakota Senate. He was the first Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Following Michels’ remarks, Horizon presented its Circle of Care Awards. By establishing the “Circle of Care” awards Horizon recognizes teams and individuals who embody Horizon’s values and mission to ensure all patients have access to seamless, high-quality primary healthcare services.
“Year after year our employees continue to raise the bar in creating care models and processes that help our patients achieve greater levels of wellness,” Horizon CEO Wade Erickson said. “At the same time, they are active in their communities as cheerleaders, caregivers and members who work alongside their friends and neighbors to make their hometowns a better place to live.”
The Keeping Communities Well Award recognizes outstanding clinical teams that demonstrate excellence in quality, patient care, community involvement, and Horizon’s core values. This year’s award was presented to the De Smet Dental and Woonsocket Medical teams. The De Smet dental team includes Agatha Coon, Hygienist; Cynthia Clements, Hygienist; Devon Clubb, Hygienist; Dr. Devyn Prodoehl, DDS; Dr. Lamar Koistinen, DDS; Lily Ingraham, Dental Assistant; Lora Kirkvold, Receptionist; Nalleli Escobar Munoz, Dental Assistant; Sarah Beals, Receptionist; and Payton Noem, Dental Assistant.
The Woonsocket team includes Bobbi White, Certified Medical Assistant; Dawn Rassel, Lab and X-Ray Technologist; Harley Moore, Registered Nurse; Jenica Bender, Certified Medical Assistant; Joyce Zell, Custodian; and Katlyn Rostyne, Certified Nurse Practitioner.
The Team on a Mission Award recognizes an outstanding administrative/support team that takes initiative to improve the organization’s values, efficiency of services, and processes that continue to move the Horizon mission forward. The award was presented to the Credentialing Team. The Credentialing Team includes Katie Callies, Director of Compliance and Bev Stradinger, Credentialing Coordinator.
The Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation Award was presented to Delta Dental and the Delta Dental Foundation for outstanding commitment to Horizon initiatives through financial support and encouraging others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement.
A long-time partner to Horizon Health, Delta Dental has played a vital role in advancing oral health access across South Dakota. Since 2018, they have invested generously in Horizon Health’s patients and employees through the Horizon Health Foundation.
Delta Dental was an early champion of Horizon’s Smiles for Miles program, which provides free dental care to children ages 0–5 during the month of October. They’ve also been instrumental in addressing dental workforce needs, most recently awarding a three-year grant to support dental externships and housing for dental students.
Beyond financial support, Delta Dental has extended its impact through its Smile Power Mobile Program. Most recently, Horizon partnered with Delta Dental to bring the mobile unit to Mission, where our Martin Dental team provided care to maternal health patients.
Employees recognized for their combined 345 years of service as Horizon employees included: Rosey Jensen, Wessington Springs (35); Dawn Rassel, Woonsocket (30); Wade Erickson, Howard (25); Jennifer Metcalf, White River (25); Tracey Merchen, Martin (20); Lori Caffee, Wessington Springs (15); Jack Kelly, RDH, Yankton (10); Shawna Schwader, Howard (10); Katie Stearns, CNP, Huron (10); Lexy Eggert, Howard(10); Elinita Haberer, Yankton (10); Katie Callies, Howard (10); Rachele Vietor, PA-C, Mission (10); Jessica Weber, Martin (10); Shelby Johnson, Plankinton (10); Sandeep Lakkaraju, Indiana (10); Dr. Ruth Lim, Huron (10); Traci McDonald, EdD, MS, APRN, CNP, PMHNP-BC, Elk Point (10); Dr. Terry Weaver, Wessington Springs (5); Cassidy Riggs, Huron (5); Angel Krempges, Howard (5); Lisa Kampshoff, Howard (5); Cindy Clements, RDH, De Smet (5); Heidi Edington, Mission (5); Ashley Garfve, Wessington Springs (5); Kristin Cox, Mission (5); Deona Haaf, Springfield (5); Jocelyn Bergh, PA-C, Martin (5); Lisa Hilkemeier, De Smet (5); Dr. Teresa Marts, Mission (5); Lynnett Martindale, Isabel (5); Kylie Hodges, RDH, Howard (5); and Tami Weich, Plankinton (5).
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About Horizon Health
For over 45 years, Horizon Health has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and behavioral health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and behavioral health needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through over 80,000 patient visits annually in 27 community health centers. For more information, please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org.
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