If you missed this week’s episode of Health Corner on KDIO Radio, you can listen to it on our podcast channel. Missy Petersen, Registration/Scheduling, and Lindsey Lee, Patient Financial Services, discuss the administrative side of appointments, including prior authorizations, what happens behind the scenes when a provider orders imaging, paper billing statements, and MyChart.

Listen to this episode below, and visit our entire podcast library at this link.

Ortonville Area Health Services is pleased to welcome Hannah Johnson, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, GERO-BC, to its medical team. Johnson will join OAHS in September 2026, continuing the organization’s commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered healthcare for individuals and families throughout the region.

Hannah Johnson, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, GERO-BC

As a doctorally prepared and dual board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Gerontological Nurse, Johnson brings extensive experience caring for patients of all ages in rural and critical access healthcare settings. Her clinical practice includes preventive care, chronic disease management, women’s health, pediatric care, occupational health services, Department of Transportation (DOT) commercial driver medical examinations, Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, same-day acute care, nursing home rounds, and home visits. In addition to her primary care practice, she has experience providing emergency care in rural critical access hospitals, allowing her to care for patients across a broad range of medical needs. She has extensive experience managing a wide range of chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, COPD, asthma, and heart failure.

Johnson is passionate about building lasting relationships with patients and believes that excellent healthcare begins with listening, earning trust, and partnering with individuals and families to help them achieve their health goals. Having practiced in rural communities throughout her career, she values the opportunity to provide comprehensive, relationship-centered care while coordinating closely with regional healthcare partners when specialty services are needed.

“I am particularly drawn to Ortonville Area Health Services because of its strong commitment to locally governed, community-based rural healthcare and its integral role in supporting the health of the surrounding region,” Johnson said. “Rural medicine is about more than treating illness—it’s about building relationships, earning trust, and being there for patients through every stage of life. I look forward to caring for individuals and families and becoming a trusted healthcare partner for the Ortonville community.”

Johnson earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from South Dakota State University and holds board certifications as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and Gerontological Nurse.

Beyond caring for patients, Johnson is committed to strengthening rural healthcare through education and community engagement. During her previous practice, she implemented the Reach Out and Read program to promote early childhood literacy and preventive healthcare engagement. She has also served as a clinical preceptor for nurse practitioner and physician assistant students, helping prepare the next generation of rural healthcare providers.

Outside of work, Johnson enjoys life on her family’s farm near Alberta with her husband, Jeff, and their three daughters. She looks forward to caring for patients and building lasting relationships throughout the Ortonville community.

Johnson will join OAHS in September and begin seeing patients after completing the credentialing process. She is expected to begin accepting new patients this fall. Individuals and families interested in establishing care are encouraged to contact OAHS for scheduling information and updates.

If you missed this week’s episode of Health Corner on KDIO Radio, you can listen to if on our podcast channel. Dr. Al Ross, CEO of OAHS, discusses current events at OAHS including the recently announced Home Health transition.

Listen to this episode below, and visit our entire podcast library at this link.

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) is announcing a planned transition of its Home Health service line following action by the OAHS Health Care Board.

Over the next four to six months, OAHS will work with Home Health clients, families, and caregivers to transition services to other qualified home health providers in the region. Several regional agencies have indicated they have the capacity to provide services to clients in our area. OAHS will work with each client to develop an individualized transition plan designed to support a smooth continuation of care. Our goal is to ensure every client continues to receive the services they need while making this transition as seamless as possible.

For many years, the OAHS Home Health team has provided compassionate care to individuals and families throughout our communities. No organization can replace the relationships, trust, and outstanding care provided by our nurses, homemakers, and aides. This transition is not a reflection of the quality of care provided by our Home Health team. Their work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of those they have served, and we are deeply grateful for their dedication, professionalism, and compassion.

The decision follows multiple evaluations of the Home Health service line, including an independent consultant review in 2021, and review by OAHS administration, the Home Health department and Health Care Board over the past year. Because of the value Home Health provided to our community, OAHS continued to support the service line despite annual losses of several hundred thousand dollars. However, after reviewing the long-term outlook, the Board determined that continuing to do so was not sustainable. The Board concluded that transitioning these services to other regional providers was the most responsible path for both current clients and the future sustainability of OAHS.

OAHS remains committed to providing high-quality healthcare services to the communities we serve. While this transition represents a significant change for OAHS and the clients we serve, it reflects our responsibility to ensure OAHS remains strong and independent for years to come. Our commitment to caring for this community has not changed, and we will continue working every day to meet the healthcare needs of our region now and for future generations.

Ortonville Area Health Services is pleased to announce that Kalai Brink, a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), will join its provider team in July. She will provide primary care for adult and older adult patients.

Kalai Brink, AGPCNP

Kalai brings more than 12 years of nursing experience across a wide range of clinical settings, including medical-surgical nursing, emergency care, home health, wound care, nursing education, and pain management as a nurse practitioner. Her broad background supports a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care.

In addition to her clinical experience, Kalai holds a master’s degree in nursing education and has served as a nursing professor, teaching both RN and LPN students. Her background in education reflects a strong commitment to mentorship, evidence-based practice, and advancing nursing knowledge.

In her practice as a nurse practitioner, Kalai focuses on chronic and acute pain management, chronic disease care, and collaborative treatment planning. She works closely with patients to make sure they understand their care and feel supported in making health decisions that improve their quality of life.

“I’m excited to join OAHS and provide care close to home while serving the surrounding rural communities. I look forward to building relationships with patients and helping them feel supported, heard, and involved in their care,” Kalai said.

Kalai lives in Graceville with her family. Her husband farms in the area, and together they enjoy raising two elementary-aged children in a rural community. Kalai’s personal connection to rural life gives her a firsthand understanding of the importance of accessible, patient-centered care close to home.

Ortonville Area Health Services looks forward to Kalai’s arrival and to continuing its strong tradition of providing high-quality care to patients across the region.

Read the 2025 Stork Review, featuring babies born at Ortonville Area Health Services in 2025. We’re honored to celebrate our newest arrivals and the families who welcomed them.

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) was recently recognized with a 2025 Performance Leadership Award in the category of Patient Perspective. Presented annually on National Rural Health Day, The Performance Leadership Awards are compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health and recognize rural hospitals whose performance ranks in the top 25% nationally in areas such as Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Perspective.

The Patient Perspective award highlights hospitals that deliver care experiences highly valued by patients and their families, including responsiveness, communication, compassion, and overall satisfaction.

“Our team takes great pride in putting patients and families at the center of everything we do,” said Dr. Al Ross, CEO of Ortonville Area Health Services. “Receiving the Patient Perspective Performance Leadership Award is a reflection of our team’s commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care throughout our region.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, which measures how well rural hospitals are performing in areas like patient care, efficiency, and overall hospital operations. These results help hospitals see what’s working well and where they can improve, so they can provide the best possible care to their communities.

Ortonville Area Health Services is pleased to announce that Dr. Amber Nielsen will be joining the medical staff at Northside Medical Clinic and OAHS, with her practice set to begin in February 2026. Dr. Nielsen was recruited with the assistance of the Big Stone Health Care Foundation, a partnership that has brought more than twenty-five providers to the Big Stone Lake area.

Dr. Nielsen is a family medicine physician with surgical obstetrics skills, currently practicing in Roseau, Minnesota. She provides care to patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults, and has a particular interest for obstetrics, including performing C-section deliveries.

Dr. Nielsen earned her medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, where she focused on rural medicine. To further expand her obstetric skills, she went on to complete an Obstetrics Fellowship at Essentia Health in Duluth, Minnesota, where she gained advanced training in high-risk obstetric care and surgical deliveries.

Since 2021, Dr. Nielsen has been part of LifeCare Medical Center in Roseau, where she has built a strong reputation for her compassionate, patient-centered care and dedication to rural health.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Nielsen to our team,” said Dr. Susan Andersen, OAHS Chief Medical Officer. “Her skills in family medicine and obstetrics will be a tremendous asset to our patients and community. We look forward to the expertise and dedication she brings.”

Dr. Nielsen will begin seeing patients at Northside Medical Clinic in February 2026.

Mark Miller, Licensed Professional Counselor

Ortonville Area Health Services announces that Mark Miller, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at Northside Medical Clinic and the Trojan Clinic within Ortonville Schools, has earned the ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) credential from Evergreen Certifications. The certification, awarded on November 11, 2027, recognizes Mark’s advanced training in the assessment and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The ADHD-CCSP credential is awarded to licensed professionals who demonstrate advanced knowledge and clinical skills in supporting individuals with ADHD. Candidates must complete rigorous continuing education focused on ADHD assessment, evidence-based interventions, psychopharmacology, and community strategies. This accomplishment establishes Mark as a leader in helping clients overcome the emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges associated with ADHD.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor at Northside Medical Clinic and the Trojan Clinic, Mark provides compassionate care to children, adolescents, and adults. This new credential further enhances the clinic’s capacity to deliver specialized services, ensuring that patients and families receive the most current, evidence-based support for ADHD.

Mark states, “I am truly honored to have achieved the ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider credential. This certification reflects my commitment to supporting individuals and families navigating the challenges of ADHD. I believe that with the right tools, understanding, and support, every person with ADHD can thrive. I look forward to using this advanced training to make a meaningful difference for our patients and our community.”

Congratulations to Mark on this certification and on the positive impact it will bring to the clinics and communities he serves.