Nursing At Monument Health

Stephanie Battell, MSN, RN
Nursing Director of Inpatient Oncology, Orthopedics, Neurology, Surgical and Medical Departments

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• There were so many lessons from my education experiences. I think one of the biggest lessons was to always continue to grow and challenge yourself even when there are days when it is hard to do so. What some might find as unattainable goals are the same things that keep others going. We need to continue to grow our knowledge in the nursing profession.  

Area of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Inpatient Oncology, Orthopedics, Neurology, Surgical and Medical Departments. 

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Grateful, Passionate & Stimulating 

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Implemented the concept of Flexible Acuity through the entire RCH inpatient hospital. Initiated intermediate care throughout the hospital while implementing telemetry and changing the entire orientation and training for all nurses in the inpatient adult setting, with the exception of ICU. Allowing all patients to stay where they are originally placed. This decreased internal transfers from over 200 a month to less than 20. Most importantly, it kept the patient where they would receive the best care related to their diagnosis.

Michelle Boelter, MSN, RN
Nursing Director Cancer Care Institute

Achievements:

• MSN Leadership and BSN
• MSN with Distinction
• BSN with Honors

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• The most valuable lesson that I learned from my education is that real world mentorship is crucial to attaining true knowledge in all areas of study.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Oversight of clinical staff in Cancer Care Institute

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Challenging, fulfilling, humbling

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Professionally, I am most proud of challenging myself by venturing out of the health care bubble I had been nestled in for 25 years. The prospect of leaving my former organization, where I had started as a unit clerk and eventually transitioned to a registered nurse, was very daunting. Accepting that challenge and growing from that change has been exceedingly rewarding.

Heath Boetker, BSN, RN
Director of Nursing Heart and Vascular Institute

Achievements:

• I have been nominated for the Daisy Award, Rising Star Award and the Guiding Star Mentor Award. Although I did not win these awards, I take great pride in being nominated. I was chosen as a recipient of the Lee Health award for Nursing Excellence.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• During my BSN classes, I learned the value of evidence-based practice and how change can and should be used for nursing practice. This has helped me during my career from the bedside to leadership.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• I oversee nursing operations for the Heart Vascular Institute clinic in Rapid City. This includes all areas within General Cardiology, Electrophysiology and Device Clinic, Vascular, Structural Heart, Heart Failure, Cardiac Surgery departments. The Heart and Vascular Institute also completes testing for patients who need nuclear and exercise stress testing as well as a full-service line of ultrasound testing including vascular and echocardiograms.
  I am responsible for inpatient and outpatient nursing and sonographers within our Cardiac Services Department. This area is responsible for testing and care for patients that need stress testing, echocardiograms and transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE), and inpatient electrocardiograms.
  I also oversee operations for Cardiac Rehab in Rapid City, Sturgis, Spearfish, and Lead Deadwood.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Rewarding, Challenging, and Exciting

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• The fact that I was able to enter the nursing profession as an older (non-traditional age) student and progress through my field from a bedside nurse to a Director of Nursing. I have been able to make a difference for patients, co-workers and staff members – all in my chosen specialty of cardiology.

Rebecca Bradley, MSN, RN, NPD-BC
Magnet Program Director

Achievements:

• Currently enrolled in a DHA program through Walden University
• Member of Inaugural Elevate Leadership Institute – Class of 2022
• Board Certified Specialist in Nursing Professional Development
• Mental Health First Aid Certified

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• Even with years of formal education, there will be situations and learning opportunities that you will need to rely on your peers and mentors to help work through. Textbooks, projects, and prescriptive education lays a foundation for which your life experience, resources, and internal values and judgment allow you build upon to be successful.

Areas of responsibility at MH?

• Empowering and leading Monument Health to a nursing excellence recognition offered by the American Nurse’s Credentialing Center – Magnet Designation.
• Serving as an advisor to the nursing leaders, clinical nurses, and advisory teams to promote nursing excellence, recognition, empowerment, through Shared Decision Making and professional development of nurses.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Unexpected
• Joyful
• Growth

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• The relationships I have made and maintained over the eight plus years in this profession. In nursing there are thousands of opportunities for growth and development. We get the opportunity to pick a passion and thrive—all my accomplishments have stemmed from role models and mentors I have had over the years. I am proud of our nursing profession.

Suzanne Campbell, DNP, RN, NE-C
Nursing Director in Spearfish

Achievements:

• ASN – Nursing
• MSN – Clinical Nurse Specialist (Cardiology)
• DNP – Executive Leadership
• Leadership Award – Rapid City Hospital

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• Probably not a good question for me – I love all educational opportunities. I suppose if there was anything that stood out was that furthering my education did not necessarily make me a more skilled bedside nurse, but it did open my eyes to the broader world of healthcare and made me a better person.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Spearfish Hospital Acute Care, Spearfish Surgery Center, Surgery, Wound Care, & Care Management

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Greatest personal decision

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Hard question – Caring for others as I’d have them care for my family.

Angela Dahlke, MSN, RN
Director of Nursing in Sturgis

Achievements:

• BSN from SDSU
• MSN from American Sentinel University
• Recipient of Academic Excellence Award, SDSU West River Outstanding Nursing Student award.
• Participated in the Veterans administration VALOR program
• Scholarship awardee.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• Being an active participant in your education is the best way to ensure success. Anything worthwhile takes commitment, dedication and hard work.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• All nursing at Sturgis Hospital and Clinic

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Rewarding, Challenging (in a positive way) and Evolving.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• As a nurse governance member and officer, I was on the team that developed the Nursing Star Awards as a way of recognizing the accomplishments of nurses within the Rapid City market. It has grown and evolved over the years, but I take great pride in seeing that these awards have become a tradition within our entire system.

Nita Dunham MS, RN, CMAC, NE-BC
Senior Director, Case Management

Achievements:

• I earned my Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of South Dakota and my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from South Dakota State University. I hold certifications as a Case Management Administrator, Long-Term Care Administrator. I am a Board-Certified Nursing Executive.
• I led a team that was the recipient of the Monument Health Quality Showcase in 2019 and was recognized nationally in 2019 by receiving a Hirsch’s Hero honor through RAC Monitor.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• I learned the versatility of nursing and the cascading impact that this profession can have for the organization, communities and patients that we serve. It was eye opening to learn the impacts that can extend beyond the medical into financial, legal, and regulatory arenas.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• I have the pleasure of overseeing Case Management in our hospital settings as well as being responsible for nursing practice in Long Term Care, Dialysis, and Infusion Services.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Blessed beyond measure

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• From a team perspective, I am the proudest of the teams that we built and how that results in exceptional care for the patients we serve. That is where I find joy, purpose, and inspiration.
• From a personal growth and development perspective, I am proudest of the experiences that I have had presenting at numerous national conferences, being able to publish 3 articles in peer-reviewed journals and being able to tell the story of the incredible things that are happening at Monument Health.

Tasha Frisinger, MSN, RN, CNML
Associate Chief Nursing Officer Rapid City Hospital

Achievements:

• MSN: Leadership and Management
• BSN
• Associate Arts; Nursing
• 2021 Rose Award for Female Leadership in the Community
• 2021 Healthcare Hero Award- covid19
• 2013 Regional Health Leadership Award

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• I valued learning diversity and the impact education can provide to invest in people and communities.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• All inpatient care at Rapid City Hospital including the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Diverse, Adaptable, Resilient

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• I am the proudest of the teams I have been blessed to be a part of. When we have various people coming together for a shared goal, the outcomes are always stronger than the strategy of one.

Kamela Johnson, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CPN
Director of Nursing Women’s and Children’s Services

Achievements:

• Certified Pediatric Nurse, 2012, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
• Executive Nurse Certification, 2021, American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Yellow Belt Certification 2021, Monument Health
• Green Belt Certification 2022, Monument Health

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• I can do tough things!

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Women’s and Children’s Services to include, Labor and Delivery, Mother Baby, Pediatrics, Advanced Care Pediatrics, NICU and Lactation Services.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Patient Care Centered

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Leading collaborative multidisciplinary rounds team for the hospital.

Jake Kleinschmidt, MSN, RN, PCCN-K
Director, Intermediate Care & Inpatient Cardiac Services

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• In healthcare learning is perpetual and change is constant.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Director Cardiac Cath Lab, Electrophysiology Lab, Cardiac Prep Unit, Observation Unit, Progressive Care Unit, Heart and Vascular Unit, and Cardiovascular Quality.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Challenging, Interesting, Rewarding

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Integrating the cardiovascular procedural and inpatient service line.

Shaye Krcil, MSN, RN
Nurse Practice Consultant

Achievements:

• My undergraduate degree is from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I obtained my Master of Science in Nursing from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• You are never done learning! Those who are continuously learning, who have a spirit of inquiry and follow it through and apply it, who aren’t afraid to ask “why?” – they are the nurses who will shape health care and the profession of nursing for the next generation.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• I support the Chief Nursing Officer in the promotion of top of license nursing practice, serving as a resource for scope and standards of nursing practice throughout our system. I help facilitate the implementation of evidence-based practice in all care delivery locations to continuously improve the quality of patient care.
• I am also involved in programs that support professional nursing practice, encourage recruitment and retention and improve the work environment for nurses. This includes serving as a liaison with our supply chain to assist in standardized equipment and supply purchases and identify nursing educational needs. As well as the liaison with our Epic team as we work to increase efficiencies, accuracy and completeness of our electronic medical record.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Rewarding, challenging, inspiring

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Partnered with the Department of Health and the other health systems in South Dakota to help create a state-wide trauma service.
  Led Monument Health (then Regional Health) to our first Level II Trauma Verification through the American College of Surgeons and Magnet Designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
  Received and administered a multi-million dollar grant to develop mobile healthcare simulation in western South Dakota.
  Helped grow and mentor multiple nursing leaders through our shared-governance structure. Many of whom have gone on to leadership positions within the organization or academic institutions.

Heather Lester, BSN, RN
Director of Nursing, Lead Deadwood Hospital

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• The most important lessons I have learned from my education and career are the need to adapt to the situation in front of you and the need to sincerely listen to your patients and caregivers.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Lead Deadwood Hospital Nursing staff, which includes Ambulatory Clinic, Emergency Department, Wound Care and Surgical Services

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Love my profession!!

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• There have been various awards I have received over the years, but the most important accomplishments are the relationships with other caregivers, patients and families, which have been established over the years.

Jennifer Murray, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN
Director of Rapid City Hospital Emergency Department

Achievements:

• Bachelors of Science – South Dakota State University 2000
• MBA – Healthcare Management – 2020

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• Learning is a lifestyle – it doesn’t have to be done only in an official classroom setting! Seek and learn something daily!

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Emergency Services in Rapid City Hospital

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Challenging, Rewarding, Meaningful

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Leading an amazing group of invested caregivers through the design, build, move and practice improvements of a new Emergency Department!

William A. Reynolds, MA, BSN, RN
Director, Ambulatory 5th Street Clinic in Rapid City

Achievements:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Master of Arts in Computer Resources and Information Management
• Awarded the Legion of Merit

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• If you support and care for your staff, they will take exceptional care of your patients.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Dermatology, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Urology departments

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Inspire, Support and Lead

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• During a deployment to the Middle East, I assisted the United Arab Emirates in starting an air evacuation program. We worked with them, and through those efforts saved many of their injured soldiers from otherwise fatal injuries.

Michelle (Shelly) Roy DNP, MHA, BSN, NEA-BC, FACHE
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing Professional Practice

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• The sky is the limit for nursing education/opportunities.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Ambulatory Nursing; Ambulatory Case Management; RN Triage Call Center; Diabetes Education (inpatient and ambulatory); Patient and Family Education; Community Health Worker Program.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Patient Centric Focus (Servant Leader).

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• I am most proud when the work I get to do with caregivers positively impacts the patients and communities we serve.

George Sazama, BSN, RN, CCRN
Director of Adult Intensive Care in Rapid City Hospital

Achievements:

• BSN with Health Science Minor, Air Force, Captain, Certified Critical Care Air Transport Team RN, CCRN

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• It never ends

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Adult Intensive Care Unit
• QAPI Hospital Acquired Injury Coordinating Committee
• Code Blue Committee
• CLABSI Committee
• RN VAC Committee
• SSI Committee
• ICU Early Mobility Committee
• VTE Committee

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Work in Progress

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• CCATT

Michelle Sieveke, MSN, RN
Director Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care

Achievements:

• Western Dakota Vo-tech- LPN1992
• University of South Dakota- RN, Associates Degree -2005
• South Dakota State University, RN, Bachelor’s Degree – 2013
• Western Governors University, RN, MSN, Nursing Leadership and Management – 2014
• Award: 2020 Quality Showcase Winner – Developing a Home Care Productivity Model

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• Education is one step in the process of growth. My formal education laid the foundation of the professional opportunities that I have encountered. I have learned that my formal education is just the beginning as I learn something new every day. Learning is constant.

Areas of responsibility at MH?

• Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Meaningful, Rewarding, Collaborative

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• I am most proud of the excellent care and compassion my team provides to our community. I realized very young as an aide working in hospice that this was my calling and I have been blessed to dedicate most of my career to this field.

Rita Stacey, MSSL, BSN, RN, CDCES
Nurse Manager for Monument Health Rehabilitation Center

Achievements:

• Master’s in Strategic Leadership from Black Hills State University, 2015
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University, 2007
• Associate of Science in Nursing from University of South Dakota, 1996

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

That lifelong learning is very important for the ever-changing health care environment

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Lead, manage, and offer professional guidance to 30+ members of the rehab nursing team (nurses, nurse aides, case managers, and social workers)
• Hire, train, mentor, conduct performance evaluations and ensure caregivers meet and exceed goals and initiatives that align with the organizational priorities and values
• Collaborate with Nurse Professional Development team; Human Resource business partners; other Nurse Managers and Directors;
• Infection Prevention; Quality and Safety; etc.
• Devise, evaluate, implement, and streamline protocols and standards for the rehab nursing division
• Develop a budget and maintain a financially sound unit.

How would you describe your career in three words?

Worth every minute

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• Development of the Diabetes program at the Deadwood Hospital
• Partnered with Pharmacy to implement the first telepharmacy in a hospital setting in South Dakota
• Helped to organize and transition a relocation/move of the rehab unit from the old facility to a new facility (immediately after joining the Rehab team)
• Positive Employee Engagement
• Positive Patient Experience

Marla Venjohn, MBA, BSN, RN
Director Nursing Unit

Achievements:

• Bachelors of Science in Nursing from University of Minnesota-Mankato
• MBA from University of Phoenix

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• During nursing school it was valuable to learn how diverse nursing was and how there were so many different jobs/roles. During my MBA it was eye-opening to learn how all the courses could be utilized in my current role.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• Rapid City Hospital Transfer Center, RCH Float Pool, RCH Hospital Coordinators

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Constantly Changing, Exciting, Challenging

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• I have been proud of leading the Transfer Center over the last eight years. We have gone from a hospital-based Transfer Center to a system Transfer Center.

Shanon Waldner, MSN, MHA
Senior Director Professional Practice and Development

Achievements:

• Master of Science in Nursing and a Master of Health Administration

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• Health care is complex and ever-changing. As a nursing leader, flexibility, collaboration and continuous learning are essential for supporting advances in our profession and in nursing care.

Areas of responsibility at MH?

• I have responsibility for nursing professional development education across the Monument Health system. This includes nursing and nursing support orientation, transition to practice, continuing education, simulation and competency programs. I also have responsibility for our Magnet nursing excellence journey.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Rewarding, challenging and fulfilling.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• I feel a sense of professional accomplishment as I reflect on my growth as a nursing leader and the opportunities I’ve had to impart what I have learned over the course of my career. I am so proud of the nurses I’ve had the privilege to mentor, and I love watching them grow and learn on their own professional nursing path.

James Woodhead, MBA, BSN
Director of Nursing at Custer, Hot Springs and Hill City

Achievements:

• Bachelor’s of Science – Nursing, Grand Canyon University
• Master’s of Business Administration – Grand Canyon University

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

• That there is almost an endless number of nuances associated with nursing and the health care environment; as individuals we will never run out of new challenges and new things to learn.

Areas of responsibility at Monument Health?

• I am responsible for all nursing operations in the Southern Hills Market (Custer, Hill City and Hot Springs). This includes the clinics at each location as well as the hospital and emergency room at the Custer Hospital.

How would you describe your career in three words?

• Engaged, Supportive, Creating Family

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

• The growth and development of any of my current or former employees into areas that they have desires to pursue. I love to support their growth into higher education, different career paths and nursing leadership. I enjoy keeping an eye on their progress, and I feel accomplished when I have supported them in getting to the goals they have for themselves.