SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Jan. 23 -- Avera Health, an integrated health system, issued the following news: The liver is a vital organ like the heart and brain, but too many people overlook liver health. Talk to your primary care provider about the risks of liver disease and potential testing options that can help keep your liver healthier. "Avera provides a full continuum of liver care, from a specialized hepatology program to liver transplant, with a depth of expertise and experience not ot  more

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Jan. 21 -- Avera Health, an integrated health system, issued the following news: The new Avera Human Performance Center offers memberships to individuals and families with fitness and improved performance on their agenda. The facility, which opened Jan. 6, is part of the Avera on Louise Health Campus and home to Avera Sports Medicine and Orthopedics and the Avera Therapy programs. From equipment to amenities, the site offers robust choices for training, exercise and  more

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Jan. 25 -- Avera Health, an integrated health system, issued the following news on Jan. 23: Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center has again attained Magnet(R) recognition as part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program(R). This voluntary credentialing program for hospitals recognizes excellence in nursing. This credential is the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice. Out of 6,  more

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Jan. 25 -- Avera Health, an integrated health system, issued the following news: Bob Sutton, Avera President and CEO, announced on Friday that Avera accepted a $5 million gift from an anonymous donor. "We worked with a generous donor who wanted to make a significant investment to improve patient care and safety through current projects, while also benefiting individuals and families for the long-term," Sutton said. "We are thrilled that this donor chose to invest in  more

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Jan. 21 -- Avera Health, an integrated health system, issued the following news: Research published in eClinicalMedicine, an international online clinical journal published by The Lancet, reveals major findings that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol during pregnancy significantly increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Amy Elliott, PhD, Chief Clinical Research Officer of the Avera Center for Pediatric and Community Research in Sioux Falls, S.  more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 23 -- The South Dakota Department of Health issued the following news release: The Department of Health launched South Dakota's first, comprehensive plan since 2013 to reduce suicide deaths. Over the past decade, South Dakota's suicide rates rose by nearly 40 percent. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15-34. "We know all too well that South Dakota is not immune from the devastation brought about by suicide," said Governor Kristi Noem. "Last  more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 25 -- The South Dakota Republican Party issued the following statement by Chairman Dan Lederman after the Argus Leader website posted an opinion column from Argus coach and columnist Stu Whitney attacking President Trump and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem: "It was brought to my attention that Stu Whitney of the Argus Leader recently authored a column of what was billed as "satire," but was actually just another attack on President Donald Trump and Governor Kristi Noem   more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 23 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release: To mark the 47th anniversary since the United States Supreme Court's decision in Roe v Wade, Governor Kristi Noem has proclaimed January as Sanctity of Human Life Month. "Every life - born and unborn - has worth and dignity," said Noem. "Without life, there is no liberty. Without liberty, there is no freedom to pursue happiness. I am absolutely committed to defending life, and I'm proud to pro  more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 24 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release: This month, Governor Kristi Noem asked the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) to begin utilizing the Revolving Economic Development & Initiative (REDI) Fund to support multi-family, workforce housing projects. "Everywhere I go in South Dakota, I hear from local business owners and community stakeholders that housing availability is an issue," said Noem. "Businesses have good payi  more

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, Jan. 21 -- Sanford Health issued the following news: Sanford Health announced that its main medical centers have received their first medication shipment from Civica Rx. The company is a collaboration among three philanthropies and more than 45 health systems representing over 1,200 hospitals in 46 states. Patients at Sanford Health's medical centers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota; and Bemidji, Minnesota, will begin receiving Vancomyci  more

BROOKINGS, South Dakota, Jan. 25 -- South Dakota State University issued the following news: For more than 30 years, SDSU Extension Sheep Specialist and animal science professor Jeffrey Held has served as a dedicated advocate for the lamb and wool industry and an essential educator in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at South Dakota State University. "Jeff has been an incredible land grant ambassador to the university, the state of South Dakota, the region and our na  more

BROOKINGS, South Dakota, Jan. 25 -- South Dakota State University issued the following news: Michael Adelaine, vice president for technology and security at South Dakota State University, has announced he will retire June 19. Adelaine started at SDSU in 1990 as an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and SDSU Extension computer specialist. He then became the first director of the agricultural information technology unit for the then-College of Agricu  more

VERMILLION, South Dakota, Jan. 25 -- The University of South Dakota issued the following news: U.S. News & World Report ranked two programs from the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business in its list of the 2020 Best Online Programs. Among the top programs in the nation, Beacom was ranked in the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) category and in the non-MBA online graduate business programs category. "It is gratifying to see our graduate programs recognized among an e  more

VERMILLION, South Dakota, Jan. 24 -- The University of South Dakota issued the following news: Daniel Engebretson, Ph.D., was named the vice president for research and sponsored programs for the University of South Dakota in December. In his new role, Engebretson looks forward to expanding the number of research disciplines that will directly affect South Dakota's economy. "I'm excited to be here as vice president for research," Engebretson said. "I think we have an incredible opportunity to h  more