Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Prairie Lakes Healthcare System celebrated a joyful start to the new year with the arrival of the region's first baby of 2026. Ariya Russman was born at 1:28 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026, weighing 8 pounds and 11 ounces. She is the daughter of Carmen Thovson and Quincy Russman. Proud grandparents include Erin and Tony Thovson and Terri Russman.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS), a division of Sanford Health, has been named to the prestigious Forbes’ Top Hospitals 2026 list, a new national ranking that recognizes acute-care hospitals for delivering high-quality, safe, and value-driven care.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS), a division of Sanford Health, has been recognized for outstanding performance, earning a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in outcomes. The award, compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, highlights PLHS's status among the top quartile of rural hospitals nationwide.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS), a division of Sanford Health, has once again been recognized for exceptional performance, earning a spot on Newsweek's America’s Best-In-State Hospitals 2026 list. This repeat achievement underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality care and positive patient experiences for the community.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Sanford Health, the nation’s largest rural health care system, and Watertown-based Prairie Lakes Healthcare System announced they have officially combined organizations. The partnership aims to strengthen health care delivery and accessibility for residents across a 10-county region in northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota.