Thursday, November 21, 2024, marks National Rural Health Day. This annual observance recognizes the efforts of rural providers, communities, organizations, state offices of rural health, and others dedicated to addressing the unique health care needs of rural America.

This year’s theme, “Advancing Maternal Health in Rural Communities,” highlights the importance of addressing maternal health needs in rural America. At Ortonville Area Health Services, we are proud to play a pivotal role in this mission by providing obstetric (OB) services locally. Our dedicated team ensures that expecting mothers in our region receive high-quality, personalized care without the burden of long travel distances or limited access to specialized services. Additionally, we offer 24-hour coverage of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) for pain relief options during labor, ensuring comfort and safety for our patients. By prioritizing maternal health, OAHS is helping rural families grow and thrive right here in our region.

National Rural Health Day is a time to honor the people who make rural healthcare possible while raising awareness of the challenges and opportunities ahead. Explore the innovative programs addressing rural health needs and learn how you can support these efforts.

helpful links

Maternal Health Resources

• Rural Maternal Health Webinar Series
• Rural Maternity Innovation Summit
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

National rural Health association resources

• National Rural Health Day Information 
• Exploring Rural Health Podcast
• FORHP Announcements

Beginning January 1, 2025, Ortonville Area Health Services will not be part of the Humana Medicare Advantage insurance plan. We are notifying the public in order to reach patients or potential patients of OAHS impacted by this change.

OAHS  is a participating provider in numerous insurance plans, including several other Medicare Advantage plans for the 2025 benefit year. For a list of plans OAHS participates in, feel free to call OAHS at 320-839-4096. Please note that if you are currently enrolled in Humana Medicare Advantage, you have the opportunity to choose a new plan during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7, 2024.

Thank you for your continued trust in Ortonville Area Health Services for your healthcare needs.

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) is proud to announce its recent advancement from a 4-star to a 5-star rating by the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), a testament to its ongoing commitment to providing quality healthcare in rural communities.

The NRRS Star Rating System evaluates rural and critical access hospitals on a scale of 1-5, with 5-star being the top ranking. This system uses the same metrics and criteria as the 5-star rating system of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), offering an assessment for smaller hospitals not covered by CMS ratings.

These star ratings serve as a platform for hospitals/clinics to showcase their success, representing a noteworthy recognition of their commitment to patient satisfaction, quality care, and overall performance. OAHS joins just eight other healthcare organizations in achieving 5-star status in 2024. (View the full list at fivestarratings.org.)

Dr. Allan Ross, CEO of OAHS, notes, “This serves as a testament to the outstanding work that our teams deliver to the patients and residents in our region. I am immensely proud that their unwavering dedication and hard work are being acknowledged and celebrated.”

Moving ahead, OAHS remains committed to further enhancing service excellence and elevating patient care.

OAHS will conduct a childbirth education class in January 2024. These classes are led by OAHS Childbirth Educator Maria Botker, CNS, RN.

When:

Mon., January 8th, 2024 from 6pm-9pm AND
Mon., January 15th, 2024 from 6pm-9pm

Where:

Clinic Conference Room at OAHS (Report to the front lobby of the hospital. Maria will meet you and show you the way to the  education room)

What to Bring:

You and your labor partner or support person

What to Wear:

Comfortable clothes

What You Will Learn:

Nutrition and exercise during pregnancy, labor details, comfort techniques, newborn care, breastfeeding/bottle-feeding, the role of the labor partner, relaxation during labor, and much more…

Cost:

Free for those planning to deliver at OAHS

Registration:

Reserve your spot by calling Maria’s office voicemail at 320-839-4025 or email her at [email protected]. RSVP before January 5th!

We look forward to seeing you in class!

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS), a committed healthcare provider serving western Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious four-star rating by the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), a program recognizing excellence in rural healthcare.

This esteemed designation is a testament to OAHS’ dedication to delivering high-quality care and exceptional patient experiences. The NRRS evaluates health systems based on rigorous standards, including patient satisfaction, quality of care, and overall performance.

Dr. Allan Ross, CEO of OAHS, notes, “Our teams work diligently to provide the best care for the communities we serve, and I am so happy that they are being recognized for the exceptional care they provide for our patients and residents.”

The four-star rating reflects OAHS’ ongoing commitment to meeting the unique healthcare needs of rural communities throughout the region. This recognition highlights their success in providing outstanding medical services despite the challenges often faced by rural healthcare facilities.

Brian Lee, Chairman of National Rural Rating System, reflects, “This award is a testament to their unwavering commitment, dedication, expertise, and compassionate care provided to the community every day. In a rural setting, where healthcare challenges are unique and often complex, achieving this level of excellence signifies not just clinical capabilities, but also a deep connection to the community. This recognition reaffirms rural healthcare to be a beacon of health, hope, and healing.”

OAHS extends its heartfelt thanks to its dedicated team of healthcare professionals, whose tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to patient care have made this achievement possible.

About OAHS:
Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) is a city-owned, rural health care system located on the Minnesota side of the Minnesota/South Dakota border. OAHS consists of a 25-bed critical access hospital licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, a 51-bed nursing home, a home health agency, three provider-based physician clinics, and a senior living facility with catered living and assisted living apartments. The mission of OAHS is to provide personalized, high-quality, and compassionate care through caring professionals in a healing environment. For more information, visit oahs.us.

About the 5-Star Rating System:
The 5-Star Rating System ranks rural and critical access hospitals – with five stars being the top ranking and one star being the lowest. The Star Ratings are like the CMS Stars, which allow hospitals/clinics to promote their success and are used as high-quality recognitions. Most small and rural hospitals (60%) do not qualify for CMS Ranking because of a low number of qualifying inpatients, but are held to the same high patient satisfaction criteria. This new program recognizes the hard work and dedication rural and critical access hospitals provide nationwide. The rankings include overnight hospital stays (HCAHPS) and are based on data collected by certified CMS patient satisfaction vendors. For more information, visit FiveStarRatings.org.

Kiana Conrad, NP

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) is pleased to announce that Kiana Conrad, Family Nurse Practitioner, is now seeing patients at Northside Medical Clinic in Ortonville. Kiana was recruited through a long-standing partnership between OAHS and the Big Stone Health Care Foundation, which has brought over twenty providers to the area.

“We are excited to have Kiana as part of the medical team here at OAHS,” said Clinic Director Liz Sorenson. “She is a team player who understands rural medicine and is dedicated to providing compassionate care.”

Kiana obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University, graduating in 2015. In 2021, she completed her Master of Science in Nursing from Bradley University. Kiana most recently worked as a hospitalist nurse practitioner at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital. Before that, she was a charge nurse at Milbank Area Hospital Avera prior to completing her nurse practitioner requirements.

Kiana lives in Milbank, SD, with her husband, their three boys, and a puppy named Griffey. They are a very active family and are always on the go with sporting events and activities. (Go Twins and Skol, Vikings!) Regarding her role at OAHS, Kiana states, “I am most looking forward to making a positive impact in serving Ortonville and the surrounding communities. We have a phenomenal healthcare team, and I am so grateful to be a part of the OAHS family.”

To schedule an appointment with Kiana Conrad, NP, please call (320) 839-6157.

Ortonville Area Health Services is pleased to announce that Tracy Dozak, Family Nurse Practitioner, has joined Ortonville Area Health Services and will begin seeing patients on July 3. Tracy will provide services at Northside Medical Clinic in Ortonville and the OAHS Clinton Clinic in Clinton, MN. She was recruited to the area through a long-standing partnership between Ortonville Area Health Services and the Big Stone Health Care Foundation, which has brought over twenty providers to the area.

“We are excited to welcome Tracy Dozak to the provider group and medical team here at OAHS,” said Clinic Director Liz Sorenson. “She has a great understanding of what it takes to provide whole-person and family care. In addition, Tracy has strong ties to the area, and we look forward to utilizing her expertise in staffing the Clinton Clinic.”

Tracy obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bemidji State University in 2009. In 2013, she completed her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Most recently, Tracy has worked as a Nurse Practitioner at Essentia Health in Wahpeton for the past eight years. She brings a wide range of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, and Registered Nurse before her current role as a Family Nurse Practitioner providing holistic care for patients within the scope of family practice, primarily focusing on preventative, evidenced-based medicine.

Tracy is originally from Blackduck, MN and has resided in Wahpeton, ND for the past 15 years, along with her husband and two sons, ages 13 and 9. She and her family have been coming to our region for recreational purposes for the past several years, so this area is not unfamiliar to them. Tracy and her family are excited to relocate and enjoy all the outdoor opportunities this location offers. She states, “My sons love to fish, hunt, play sports, basically love to be outside, and they are thrilled to be able to fish every day!”

In anticipation of her new role, Tracy notes, “I look forward to the privilege of helping to keep the community healthy. It takes a community to raise a family. Therefore, we must be invested in the health and wellness of the community so they can assist in raising our children.”

For more information on Ortonville Area Health Services or to schedule an appointment with Tracy Dozak, NP, please call (320) 839-6157.

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) is pleased to announce that Michelle Deutz is now seeing patients at Northside Medical Clinic. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Michelle provides mental health services along with her colleague Twila Mursu, PMHNP and the whole of OAHS medical staff. Michelle was recruited to the area through a long-standing partnership between Northside Medical Clinic, Ortonville Area Health Services, and the Big Stone Health Care Foundation, which has brought over twenty providers to the area.

“We are very excited to have Michelle on board to enhance mental health services to the community,” said Clinic Director Liz Sorenson. “The compassion and understanding Michelle brings to her role not only strengthens the Mental Health team but the entire organization in providing wraparound care to the patients we serve.”

Michelle has previously worked as a Registered Nurse since obtaining her RN degree from Winona State University in 2018. She then pursued her Master of Nursing degree from the University of North Dakota, graduating in August 2022. As a PMHNP, Michelle is specially trained to provide behavioral health services to people of all ages, with her primary focus being children and adolescent patients. She states, “I am most looking forward to helping people remember that there is always hope and light, even in the darkest times, and that no one has to go through those times alone.”

For more information on Ortonville Area Health Services or to schedule an appointment with Michelle Deutz, PMHNP please call (320) 839-6157.

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) $102,614 in grant funds to purchase state-of-the-art ultrasound machines as part of a $26.4 million ultrasound initiative in Minnesota. The initiative includes nearly $18.3 million to help Minnesota hospitals and health centers purchase ultrasound imaging devices and an additional $8.1 million to boost sonography and point of care ultrasound (POCUS) training opportunities across the state.

The grant funds have allowed OAHS to purchase two new ultrasound machines: a GE Voluson Swift Ultrasound and a GE Venue Go Premier Ultrasound. These point-of-care ultrasounds are increasingly mobile and allow for fast assessment of patients. Dr. David Collins, Emergency Medicine Physician at OAHS notes, “Point-of-care ultrasound has become increasingly utilized in the clinic, hospital, and emergency department setting across the US. The latest ultrasound technology provides even better imaging quality as well as tools to assist us with making faster and more accurate diagnoses. Formal ultrasound is not always readily available in our community but with point-of-care ultrasound technology, we are able to get the ball rolling to initiate treatment while waiting for the complete study to be done at a later date. This is an exciting time to be in medicine and for our community as a whole!”

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. This safe, cost-effective tool supports other clinical information to help providers make timely diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment.

Walter Panzirer, a Trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust, said the grants will help improve access to exceptional medical treatment for all Minnesotans, whether they live in the heart of Minneapolis or a smaller rural or underserved community.

“Our hospitals and health centers need to stay current with rapidly advancing technology so they can continue to provide top-notch healthcare close to home,” Panzirer said. “These grants help ensure that facilities across Minnesota have the latest and greatest ultrasound equipment and training.”

More than half of the 196 devices purchased through the grants (109) are POCUS machines, which are used by providers at the bed or tableside for immediate assessment of a patient to quickly determine a course of action. The grants will also provide 69 general ultrasound systems and 18 cardiovascular ultrasound systems, which aid in imaging of the heart.

The initiative also includes more than $8.1 million to train new sonographers, offer continuing education to sonographers and ultrasound technologists, and provide comprehensive POCUS training to doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. The training grants include more than $917,000 to the Minnesota Rural Health Association to support sonographer training in rural and underserved areas of the state, more than $1 million to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to expand St. Cloud Technical & Community College’s sonography program, and nearly $6.2 million to the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians Foundation which will partner with High Quality Medical Education (HQMEDED) to provide POCUS training across the state.

“These grants are a game changer for rural hospitals across the state,” said Thomas Pahl, PA-C, an emergency department clinician, instructor with HQMEDED, and member of the Minnesota State Trauma Advisory Council. “Clinicians and sonographers will not only have access to the newest ultrasound equipment on the market, but they will also be able to pursue educational opportunities to become more proficient at use of the equipment, expand the studies they can perform, and incorporate these skills into their clinical practices.”

Ortonville Area Health Services has been awarded a 2022 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Patient Perspective by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. Given as part of the National Rural Health Day celebration, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (75^th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Perspective.

“Quality of care and our patient experience has been a primary focus at OAHS,” said Dr. Allan Ross, CEO of OAHS. “This recognition not only reflects on the care a patient receives from those providing direct patient care but also reflects on the numerous behind-the-scenes people who greatly contribute to the patient experience. I am very proud of the team we have at OAHS.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are given to rural hospitals based on the results of analysis from the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance in the United States. INDEX data is trusted and relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

About Ortonville Area Health Services

The mission of OAHS is to provide personalized, high-quality, and compassionate care through caring professionals in a healing environment. OAHS offers a broad scope of regional services:

• Northside Medical Clinic provides family medicine and specialized care in Family Medicine/Obstetrics, Emergency Medicine, and Psychiatry. Satellite clinics and outreach services are available in Wheaton, Canby, and Clinton, MN, as well as the OAHS Trojan Clinic within Ortonville Public Schools.

• The Ortonville Hospital, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, is a state-of-the-art facility that provides obstetrical care, surgery, and outpatient services.

• Fairway View Senior Communities provides comprehensive services while cultivating a vibrant community culture that celebrates individuality in all stages of life. Services include catered living and assisted living apartments with numerous on-site amenities and opportunities for socialization. Fairway View Neighborhoods provides long-term care nursing services and support in a home atmosphere that honors choices through meaningful activities while respecting each resident’s individual preferences.

December 6, 2022: Ortonville Area Health Services is changing the appointment process for patients experiencing respiratory, influenza-like symptoms. Currently, this patient population is served in a location that allows them to avoid the main clinic area and entrance. This was necessary during the height of COVID to minimize the spread of illness while allowing OAHS personnel to see patients in a location where it was safe, effective, and efficient.

Now, patients with respiratory, influenza-like symptoms can once again receive care inside the clinic. Below is an overview of what to expect:

• When you schedule your appointment, please communicate all symptoms, including any respiratory symptoms you may be experiencing.
• Arrive at the clinic as you typically would. Enter through the clinic and report to the registration area. Most importantly, wear a mask.
• Registration staff will assist you to a designated room, bypassing the waiting room, where you will wait to see your healthcare provider.
• Your appointment will take place as it typically does. After your appointment is complete, you do not need to report to the registration area to check out.

The drive-in option will remain in place for patients who have found it the most convenient way to receive care, meeting the patient where they are and where they feel most comfortable.

As treatment options for COVID have expanded to include preventative vaccines, home testing, effective treatment options, and better knowledge of the virus, OAHS has readdressed how patients with respiratory symptoms are cared for in the clinic while still ensuring the best patient experience possible for everyone. We appreciate your patience as we navigate and work through this change to our process.