Codington Connects: Bridging the Gaps in Community Healthcare
- Steve Jurrens
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In a special weekly segment with “Codington Connects,” Northeast Radio SD sat down with Sara Foust, Board President of Codington Connects, and Tracy Kurten, the newly appointed Outpatient Social Worker at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, to discuss the evolving role of social work in modern medicine and the critical importance of holistic community support.
The conversation highlighted a significant shift in how healthcare is delivered in Watertown, moving beyond the physical ailment to address the “social determinants of health”—the underlying factors, such as housing, food security, and financial stability, that directly impact a patient’s recovery and long-term well-being.
A New Chapter at Prairie Lakes
Tracy Kurten joined Prairie Lakes in December 2024, stepping into a role designed to ensure patients don’t “fall through the cracks” after they leave the clinic or emergency room. While Prairie Lakes has long employed social workers in specialized areas such as dialysis and oncology, Kurten’s position as an outpatient social worker allows for a more general, proactive approach.
“The providers and nurses come to me if they have a patient who expresses any concern—social concerns, food needs, housing, or financial worries regarding a new medical diagnosis,” Kurten explained. “I’m able to walk beside them and connect them to the resources in our community.”
Kurten, who originally started her career as a physical therapist assistant, transitioned into social work after noticing that medical issues were often intertwined with complex life challenges. This perspective allows her to offer a “warm handoff” to local agencies, ensuring patients receive the specific help they need.
Addressing the Root Causes
Sara Foust, a social worker herself and a driving force behind Codington Connects, emphasized that these services are vital because of the deep connection between trauma and physical health. She noted that Codington Connects is currently focusing on ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) training to educate the public on how early-life trauma can manifest as chronic illness later in life.
“The more trauma experiences you have, the more likely you are to have heart disease or diabetes,” Foust said. “Science shows that it does connect. If we can identify what happened to you, then we can fix that issue and validate who you are and the challenges you face.”
Free Support for a Healthier Community
One of the most significant takeaways from the discussion was the accessibility of Kurten’s services. Many patients are often hesitant to seek additional help, fearing added costs to their medical bills. Kurten was quick to dispel this myth.
“At the hospital, there are no billing codes for me as a social worker,” Kurten clarified. “There is never going to be a cost to visit with me. I’m here purely to be that support.”
By removing the financial barrier, Prairie Lakes and Codington Connects are fostering a system where mental health, financial stability, and physical recovery are treated with equal importance.
Looking Ahead
Codington Connects continues to seek community input through its volunteer survey and encourages residents to attend upcoming ACEs and HOPE (Health Outcomes from Positive Experiences) presentations. These sessions aim to empower families and individuals with the tools to build resilience and improve long-term health outcomes.
