Specialties: General Surgery
Areas of Interest: Surgical Procedures, Upper GI Endoscopy, Lower GI Endoscopy
Medical School: Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa

I was born in O’Neill Nebraska, but grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska. I attended college in Oklahoma, medical school in Iowa, and did further training in Missouri. I worked with the Indian Health Service for 3 years in South Dakota. After my surgical training in Iowa, I worked with the Air Force in North Dakota before coming to Madison in 1999.

I’m passionate about both rural medicine and physician wellness. I never seriously considered any other profession. I enjoy meeting each of my patients and hearing their stories. The best part of my job is when I know that we have provided the best care both physically and emotionally to our patients.

The best advice I give my patients is to listen to the advice of your physician. She or he has trained very hard and works tirelessly to keep up on the best treatments available and is likely the best resource you have to help you get or stay healthy.

To help my patients feel comfortable, as a surgeon, I must instill confidence that I will be able to tackle their particular problem. I try to be very honest and complete in my discussions with them regarding the expectations of a surgery, possible risks, and my assurance that I can perform the necessary procedure. Fortunately, I can also assure them of the excellent team of health care workers that are available here at MRHS to look after their needs while under our care, and that MRHS has state of the art equipment and facility to accomplish the tasks needed. Our patients entrust their health care to us. That is an awesome responsibility laid on our shoulders.

Outside of work, I love the world of entertainment – from music to movies to live theater. I love to travel, but when I’m home, gardening brings me satisfaction, and spending time with my family brings me joy.

I have two favorite quotes. The first is a quote from Jack Nicholson’s character in the movie, As Good As It Gets: “I’m out here drowning and you’re describing the water!” I like it because it reminds me that it’s not good enough to simply complain about a situation if one doesn’t actually take action to fix it. My other favorite quote is more like a modern day Chinese proverb.  It’s from the Monkee’s song, Daydream Believer: “The shaver razor’s cold, and it stings.” This quote reminds me that it might be uncomfortable to achieve one’s goals whether they are as mundane as preparing for the day, or as significant as taking steps to achieve a life goal. There may be pain in the process but the outcome is worth it.

Specialties: Family Medicine
Areas of Interest: Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Osteoporosis, Geriatrics
Medical School: USD School of Medicine, Vermillion SDI am from Hudson, South Dakota, and moved to Madison, South Dakota, after doing my student rotations here. I enjoyed the Madison area and the people. I chose to specialize in Family Medicine because I liked many areas of medicine, and Family Medicine allowed me to practice several of them.

Currently, my areas of interest include family medicine, women’s health, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and caring for geriatric patients.

I feel it is essential to talk to my patients, not at them, and I believe everything starts with a single step or effort.

When I am not working, I enjoy golfing, scuba diving, and traveling.

“Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.” -Hippocrates

Specialties: Family Medicine
Areas of Interest: Pediatric, Adult, and Geriatric Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Men’s Health, GI Health, Colonoscopy, Upper Endoscopy
Medical School: Sanford School of Medicine at USD

I am from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but moved to Madison, South Dakota, to practice medicine and raise my family. I did a rotation at Madison Regional Health System during medical school and found that I appreciated the staff and culture. The school system has a strong, positive reputation, DSU offers a nice vibrancy to the community, hunting and fishing are right outside my back door, and a trip to Sioux Falls is easy.

I am passionate about treating people according to their values and goals. I have a conversational and casual approach to medicine and work alongside my patients. I chose Family Medicine because I was viewing and learning through the lens of a Family Practice physician in medical school and enjoyed it. I could not imagine limiting my scope of practice to one age, gender, or organ; I appreciate the all-encompassing nature of rural family medicine.

My advice to my patients is to make life goals, do what makes you happy, check in at least once a year to make sure it is making you healthy, and remember that mental health and physical health often parallel each other.

When I am not working, I spend time doing activities with my children and wife. I am a water sports enthusiast and enjoy hunting, fishing, and music.

“None but ourselves can free our minds.” –Robert Nesta Marley

Specialties:  Family Medicine, Obstetrics
Areas of Interest:  Women’s Health (including Obstetrics and Contraception), Chronic Disease Management, and Preventative Medicine
Medical School:  University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

I am from Montrose, South Dakota, and am passionate about working in a critical access hospital and providing healthcare in rural America. I was interested in forensic science in high school but learned that I enjoyed working with the living and chose my career path accordingly. During medical school, I enjoyed every rotation, which is part of why I enjoy working a full scope practice at Madison Regional Health System.  While focusing on Family Medicine and Obstetrics, I get to work in several areas such as the hospital, emergency room, and our clinic.

I love developing relationships with my patients and their families as well as watching them grow and overcome obstacles. I never want my patients to be afraid of asking questions because healthcare only works if we approach it as a team.

When I am not working, I enjoy running, yoga, boating, fantasy football, golf, and reading non-fiction books.

“Be curious, not judgmental.” –Walt Whitman

Specialties: Family Medicine
Areas of Interest: Obstetrics, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Preventive Care
Medical School: University of South Dakota

I am from Miller, South Dakota. While growing up, I knew I wanted to do something with science when I got older and considered becoming a Veterinarian. However, my 8th grade English teacher told me, “You should be a medical doctor and work with people.” After medical school, I was looking for a position to practice Family Medicine with Obstetrics close to my family and landed here in Madison, South Dakota.

I am passionate about preventative care and rural healthcare. I love taking care of families and seeing generations grow. I am also very passionate about Dyslexia awareness and making sure all kids have an equal opportunity at learning how to read.

Important advice to bestow on my patients is that self-care is crucial; take the time to eat healthy and exercise.

When I work with my patients, it is important to me to build a relationship with them. As my patients get to know me, and trust me, we are more comfortable working together. Once in a while, I also like to throw in a little humor.

When I am not working, I enjoy golfing and reading. However, I spend most of my free time with my children at their extracurricular and school activities.

Specialties: Family Medicine
Areas of Interest: Obstetrics, Dermatology including Accutane, Pediatrics, Sports Medicine, Travel Medicine
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

I was born in Arkansas and have lived in eight states and three countries before settling here in Lake County. As part of my medical training, I spent time here in Madison and encountered a great community and great facility. I chose to practice medicine here because it is an independent, community, non-profit healthcare facility that is supported by local folks, run by local folks, for local folks.

I decided to become a doctor because I love to help people. In Family Medicine, I help in not one but so many different ways, including care in our clinic, emergency room, hospital, and delivery room.

My advice to my patients is to stay active and have fun doing it!

While working with my patients, I love getting to know them and their interests. It is important to me to focus on clear and concise communication in understandable lingo. It is important to me to help them be healthy and well.

When I am not working, I love spending time with my family, playing soccer, hiking, and gardening.

My favorite quote is, “Quid est veritas?”

Specialties: Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine
Areas of Interest: Orthopedic Interventions, Geriatric Medicine, Diabetes Management, General Family Medicine, Sports Injuries, Dermatologic Procedures
Medical School: USD School of Medicine

I am from Harrisburg, South Dakota. Growing up, the provider who cared for me in our small town was a Physician Assistant and I always knew I wanted to get into medicine. Family practice was the first rotation in my clinical rotations and I fell in love with it because you get to do a little bit of everything.

I am just a common person who has suffered through many of the same struggles as others. My only job is to keep my patients on this earth as long as they want to be here. I meet people when they are at their most vulnerable and help guide them through health obstacles. I take great joy in having the opportunity to celebrate with many patients when they overcome those obstacles.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, working around the house, hunting, fishing, and woodworking.

“Work for a cause not for applause. Live life to express not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just your absence felt.” –Author unknown

Specialties: Family Practice
Areas of Interest: Preventative Care and Holistic Care
Graduate School:  University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

I am originally from Sioux City, Iowa; raised in a split family, I also spent time in nearby Merrill, Iowa. When I married my husband Michael, I moved to Howard, South Dakota. During graduate school, I did my clinical rotations at Interlakes Medical Clinic. During this time, I was offered employment and, upon accepting the offer, my family and I moved to rural Madison, and I began my career.

I am passionate about caring for the whole person throughout their life. I want to encourage my patients that positive lifestyle changes can prevent chronic illnesses. As a nurse, I cared for patients of all ages; I was a pediatric ICU, pediatric flight nurse, and an adult ICU nurse and often floated to the Neonatal ICU. Caring for all stages and ages of life has always been very rewarding.  Being a Certified Nurse Practitioner was always my goal. As a newborn, I was diagnosed with a heart defect and was followed closely by the University of Iowa Clinic. While in high school, I met a CNP at the pediatric cardiology clinic and became very interested in that role.

The advice I like to give my patients is small and daily changes can help prevent chronic illness and improve quality of life. Walking 15 minutes 3 days a week and working toward 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week is a journey but well worth the rewards. Eating the salad instead of the mozzarella sticks may not be as tasty to some but helps prevent serious illnesses and diseases in the long haul.

To help my patients feel comfortable, I always try to make a personal connection with them. Whether we talk about “which Reisch are you?”, growing up in a farming family, or we discuss children, running, camping, or showing cattle, I like to make a personal connection to help them feel at ease.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two daughters. We appreciate all things outdoors camping, boating, gardening, and I even walk the fields pheasant hunting. I also enjoy cooking and baking.

My favorite quote is one my grandmother has framed in her home, and it makes me smile every time I read it. It reads, “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.” –Faith Whittlesey

Specialties: Emergency Medicine
Areas of Interest: Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics
Medical School: University of South Dakota, School of Health Sciences

I have lived a little bit of everywhere, from Virginia to here in South Dakota. My husband and I moved to Madison so we could both live in the community that we serve.

I am passionate about providing quality care to patients where they live. I chose Emergency Medicine because I have always loved it! The idea that you never know what or who could walk in the door excites me. Being able to navigate an emergent situation while also supporting family is a challenge that I welcome.

The best advice I give to my patients is to establish care with a primary care provider in the clinic. Keeping on top of your health and being proactive can help to avoid coming to the Emergency Department.

To help my patients feel comfortable, I have to be able to navigate an emergent situation while supporting their family. I try to explain everything in a way they can understand. I ask how I can make them feel more comfortable and do my best to enact that.

When I am not working, my husband and I seem always to be restoring some part of our historic home, so I am learning a lot of home repair! I also enjoy hiking, playing board games, walking our retired greyhound, traveling, and being creative.

“Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t.” –Richard Bach

Specialties: Acute Care
Areas of Interest: Emergency Medicine, Acute Care
Graduate School: Morningside University, Sioux City, Iowa
Medical School: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

I am from Alvord, Iowa and moved to Madison when my husband took a coaching position with Dakota State University. I chose to work at Madison Regional Health System because of my love for rural healthcare. I have a deep-rooted love for the close-knit feeling of a rural community. Working in a rural healthcare facility gives me the opportunity to provide one-to-one, compassionate care.

The best advice I give to my patients is to be highly involved in their healthcare and ask questions.

I begin each patient visit with a positive attitude and provide a welcoming environment. During our time together, I listen to my patients and educate them in meaningful ways.

When I am not working I enjoy being physically active. I like to lift weights, participate in creative cardio sessions, and hiking. I also enjoy travelling, crafts, and DIY projects.

“Faith over fear.”

Specialties: Family Nurse Practitioner
Areas of Interest: Rural Medicine, Emergency Medicine
Medical School: Mount Marty University
Certifications: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)

I was born in Salt Lake City, UT, and when I was seven years old, my family and I moved to Willow Lake, SD, which is only 60 miles northwest of Madison. My husband and I moved to Madison about 11 years ago, and I have worked at Madison Regional Health System since then. We have enjoyed the community and all it has to offer our family.

I am passionate about providing quality patient care while educating patients about their diseases. Knowledge is power; the more we know, the more we can help prevent, treat, or manage our health.

I became a nurse practitioner because it allowed me to learn and grow my knowledge base about medicine at a provider level. I chose to become a family nurse practitioner because I enjoy caring for patients during all stages of life.

I am personable with my patients and believe that listening to them and allowing them to have input with their care helps develop a relationship of trust and mutual respect. I like to remind my patients that their concerns are significant enough to be heard, and I will listen while understanding that they have the ultimate decision on managing their health.

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my three children, husband, and two black labs. We enjoy anything outdoors, including golf, walks, bike rides, and softball/baseball. I also love to do puzzles, read books, and binge-watch TV shows.