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.

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease in the U.S., yet it remains misunderstood by many. Below are five facts everyone should know about epilepsy.

1. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior. It is diagnosed when a person has two or more seizures that cannot be attributed to another condition.

2. Often times, the cause of these seizures is unknown.
The four most common causes of epilepsy are head trauma, stroke, brain tumor, and brain infection. However, the cause of epilepsy is unknown in about 70 percent of cases.

3. Epilepsy can occur at any age.
It is most common, however, in children and older adults.

4. Seizure symptoms can vary widely.
Since epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process the brain coordinates. This means that symptoms can appear in a variety of different ways. However, most people with epilepsy tend to have the same type of seizure every time.

These symptoms include temporary confusion, staring spells, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of consciousness or awareness, hallucinations, speech impairment, or psychiatric symptoms such as fear, anxiety or déjà vu.

5. Approximately three million Americans have epilepsy.
One in 26 people in the U.S. will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.

How to care for a person having a seizure?

Infant Safe Sleep Week in Minnesota is November 16·21, 2025, a time to raise awareness about unsafe sleep environments and practices that increase the risk of infant injury or death. The Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging parents to follow the ABCs of safe sleep: babies should be put to sleep alone in a bare crib, and always on their back.

Alone: Infants should sleep alone in their own space, without any other people or pets.

BARE: A crib should be bare with no blankets, pillows, or toys.

BACK: A baby should always be placed on their back for sleep or naps.

CRIB: Use a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a tightly fitted sheet.

Minnesota infant safe sleep guidelines

• Back: Always place your baby on their back to sleep for every nap and at night.
• Alone: A baby should sleep alone in their own sleep space, without any other people, pets, or stuffed animals.
• Crib: The baby should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet.
• No loose bedding: Do not use blankets, pillows, quilts, or bumpers in the baby’s sleep area, as they can be a suffocation hazard.
• Room-sharing without bed-sharing: Keep the baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep for at least the first six months, but on a separate surface.
• Avoid overheating: Dress your baby in light sleep clothing and keep the room at a comfortable temperature.

After 48 years of devoted service to the Ortonville community and surrounding region, Dr. Robert Ross, affectionately known to most people as “Dr. Bob,” has announced his retirement from clinical practice. Dr. Bob’s retirement marks the end of an era for Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) and Northside Medical Clinic, where he has been a cornerstone of compassionate, patient-centered care for nearly five decades.

Dr. Bob began his medical career in Ortonville in 1977. Throughout his career, he has become more than just a physician to many. He is a trusted presence in the lives of countless families, caring for multiple generations across Big Stone County and beyond. Dr. Bob’s wide-ranging clinical experience includes family medicine and obstetrics, including performing C-sections, an example of the depth and versatility often required in rural health.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Bob has served in several leadership and mentorship roles, including Clinic Medical Director and long-standing member of the board of directors for the Big Stone Health Care Foundation, where he has championed community health initiatives and fundraising efforts. Dr. Bob will continue to serve on the board for the Foundation, which has always been close to his heart.

Known for his steady leadership and calm presence, Dr. Bob has served as a mentor to many incoming providers. He is known among his colleagues as a steady hand, a wise counselor, and a deeply respected leader who has amplified a culture of excellence and empathy at OAHS.

Reflecting on his career, Dr. Bob states, “Looking back over the past 48 years, I am deeply grateful for the trust my patients have placed in me. The relationships we have built, the stories we have shared, and the challenges we have navigated together have all shaped my journey as a physician and as a person.” He further notes, “I will miss my patients, colleagues, my team, hospital, and nursing home staff at every level. You do God’s work. Keep it up.”

OAHS is deeply grateful that Dr. Bob chose to build his career here. His presence has shaped not only the care delivered within OAHS, but also the trust and connection between a rural health system and the communities it serves. Dr. Bob’s commitment to service, leadership, and advocacy in rural health, along with the legacy he leaves behind, will be felt for generations.

As part of the transition, OAHS has implemented a detailed plan to support Dr. Bob’s patients, including resources for selecting a new provider, transferring medical records, and receiving support from registered nurses for chronic condition management.

Plans are underway for a public celebration to honor Dr. Bob’s remarkable career and contributions to the community.

The Minnesota Department of Health has recertified Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) as a Level Three Health Care Home, the highest level of certification available through the program.

Health Care Homes are primary care clinics that meet rigorous standards to deliver patient- and family-centered care. They focus on building strong relationships with patients and families, making care more personal, better coordinated, and easier to access. Clinics at this level work closely with other providers and community services and use a team approach to support each patient’s overall health.

At OAHS, this model includes offering flexible appointment options, assigning care coordinators to help patients manage their care, and ensuring communication across all the providers involved in a patient’s treatment. The goal is to make care smoother, more connected, and focused on each person’s unique needs.

This recognition reflects the ongoing work of the entire OAHS team. In particular, the Clinic and Quality departments lead the effort by maintaining high standards in day-to-day care and long-term planning.

A premanufactured MRI POD will be placed at Ortonville Area Health Services on Monday, July 14, and Tuesday, July 15. This project will temporarily impact Otto Avenue, Highland Highway, and access to the OAHS Emergency Department.

Monday, July 14

Schaefer Crane Service will mobilize a 350-ton crane and five semi loads of counterweights.

• Crane assembly and heavy equipment movement will take place in the ER parking lot and along Otto Ave. Please use extreme caution if traveling through this area, and avoid the area if possible.
• At the end of the day, a semi hauling the 15×55 ft, 105,000 lb MRI POD will arrive and park on Otto Ave.

Tuesday, July 15

On Tuesday morning, The crane will lift and place the MRI POD on its foundation next to the hospital.

• The 400 and 500 blocks of Otto Avenue will be closed to traffic during this time.
• Please use alternate routes and avoid the area if possible.

Emergency Department Access

The exterior ER entrance will be inaccessible both Monday and Tuesday.

• If you need emergency care on these days, please avoid Otto Avenue and park in the front lot of OAHS. Enter the building through the main clinic doors, and nursing staff will guide you to the ER.
• A plan is in place to ensure EMS ambulance services will continue to have direct access to the ER during this time.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this crucial step in our MRI installation.