News

SD Secretary of Health visits MRH&C

Posted 6/04/25 (Wed)

During a recent visit to Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics, South Dakota Secretary of Health Melissa Magstadt toured our facility, met with staff, and learned more about the essential role our hospital plays in serving rural communities. Following her visit, Secretary Magstadt shared the following letter to the editor, reflecting on her experience and the vital importance of supporting critical access hospitals like ours. We are honored to share her words with our community.

Pictured (L to R): Lee Cordell, John Ayoub, Dr. Matthew Schaffer, Melissa Magstadt, Kayla Wolff, Renae Karst, Haden Merkel and Jodi Madison

Dear Editor:

I was able to visit the Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics on May 19, 2025. And I wanted to express my appreciation for the dedication and level of excellence that was very evident in this valuable community hospital. I saw the passion that the providers and staff have for their community and the patients they serve. I saw the vision of the leadership team to see the needs of the community and answer the call in providing the care required to meet those needs. This community hospital truly embraces the calling of serving the community.

It was impressive to me that the Mobridge area is served by a hospital owned ambulance service. This is a unique way of delivering ambulance services that allows paramedics and EMTs to be paid professionals for the community. Not all communities have this resource. This hospital has over 400 emergency department visits per month, delivers 60-70 babies per year, has over 165 patients that are served by the infusion services. Additionally, this hospital delivers right in the community care for surgical and radiological services. The level of access to care in this community hospital was impressive and their dedication to their patients was inspiring.

I know I do not always take the time to thank others for their service, so I am doing it right now. Thank you, Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics, for your service and your commitment to your community and the patients you serve. This is a very blessed community to have such a health system right in their midst.

Kind regards

Melissa Magstadt

South Dakota Department of Health