SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED 

2012 Annual Report


Our Mission: 

Honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 

Andrea Conti D.O.

Chief of Staff

Jo-Ann Ginsberg RN, MSN

Associate Director of Patient Care

A Message from our leaders...

Welcome to our second-ever annual report. Everything in this report was made possible by the outstanding contributions of our VA staff, volunteers and 

contractors, and the service and loyalty of the people who are our reason for existence – America’s heroes. We hope that everyone will find something of 

particular interest to them in the following pages. It’s meant to be a celebration of who we are and what we do – whether in words or pictures you 

should ‘see yourself’ in these pages.

The world around us is changing at a fast pace. There are extraordinary pressures on our health care system as a result. Technology, health care research 

and innovation, politics, economics, the demographics of our staff and Veteran populations, the condition of our physical plant and the historical 

properties they exist on – all are influences that must be addressed. These pressures are easy to identify – the really difficult part is to determine what is 

the right course of action for the future. 

As we think about the coming year, we’re focusing on two key actions. First, develop the communication skills of our people from the newest to longest 

serving employees and from the Director’s Office to those who work so effectively at all levels of our organization. Second, instill the desire and support 

the initiative of any staff member to make an improvement in how we do things, and support our Veterans who identify to us opportunities for 

improvement. 

We certainly have had great successes during the last year – we’re certain to have great challenges this coming year – and we’re certain that at the end 

of this coming year we will all look back and celebrate again! 

Thank you for all that you contribute – have a rewarding year, and a safe year! 

Stephen DiStasio, FACHE 

Director

C.B. Alexander, FACHE 

Associate Director
Our Vision: 

To be a patient centered, integrated health care organization for Veterans, providing excellent health care, 

research and education; an organization where people choose to work; and an active community partner and 

partner with the Department of Defense and Health and Human Services for National emergencies. 

Black Hills Health Care System 

is part of the VA Midwest 

Health Care Network, also 

known as Veterans Integrated 

Service Network 23 (VISN 23). 

VISN 23 is headquartered in 

Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

NEW LEADERS

Stephen R. DiStasio, FACHE, was appointed the Director of the VA Black Hills Health Care System effective January 

1, 2012. He previously served as Associate Director from February 2005 through December 2011. As Director, 

Steve is responsible for the oversight and management of two VA medical centers located in Hot Springs and Fort 

Meade, South Dakota, as well as 12 other sites of care located in parts of South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. 

Carla Belle “C.B.” Alexander, FACHE, was appointed to the position of Associate Director in October 2012. She 

previously served as the Staff Assistant to the Associate Director at VA BHHCS. C.B. completed her Masters 

degree in Healthcare Administration at the University of South Dakota, and earned her undergraduate degree 

from Black Hills State College. As a VA employee, she has worked in the VA BHHCS Director’s Office, at the 

Veterans Integrated Service Network 23 level in Extended Care and Rehabilitation, and Human Resources at both 

the facility and Network level. 

Andrea R. Conti, D.O. was appointed to her current position as Chief of Staff at VA BHHCS in December 2011, and 

comes to the Black Hills from the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System in Prescott, Arizona, where she served 

as Service Line Manager Specialty and Diagnostics and Chief, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service for three 

years. Dr. Conti completed undergraduate studies in Biomedical Science/Religion from Western Michigan 

University, and graduated in 1989 from Michigan State University, with a Doctor of Osteopathy. Dr. Conti did her 

post-doctorial residency at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medical College of Virginia from 1991-1994. 

Jo-Ann Ginsberg, RN, MSN, was appointed to the position of Associate Director for Patient Care Services in 

September 2011. In this position she oversees Pharmacy, Nutrition & Food, Tele-Health, Voluntary, SPD, Ward 

Administration, Education, Canteen, Prosthetics departments as well as serving as Nurse Executive for VA BHHCS. 

Mrs. Ginsberg received her BSN and MSN, Nursing Administration/HIV sub-specialty from Hunter-Bellevue School 

of Nursing in New York, NY. Ms. Ginsberg began her VA Career in Cheyenne, Wyoming, April 2008 serving as the 

Designated Learning Officer/Chief Learning Resources and the Acting Associate Director for Patient Care Services. 
-Act with high moral principle -Adhere to the highest professional standards -Maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom I engage 

In June 2010, an unannounced triennial visit was completed by the Joint 

Commission; VA BHHCS received Full Accreditation status in September 

2010 and is now in the window for an unannounced return visit from Joint 

Commission. Over a four-day period our medical center campuses, primary 

and extended care and community-based outpatient clinics were reviewed 

under the Hospital, Long Term Care, Home Care, and Behavioral health 

program standards. The healthcare system has full accreditation from the 

College of American Pathologists (CAP) and The Commission on 

Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The Human Research 

Protection Program was reviewed and accredited through the Association 

for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP). 

The VA BHHCS has completed three Office of Inspector General 

Assessments in Fiscal Year 2012. The Continuous Assessment Process (CAP) 

survey was completed in October 2011, the Community Based Outpatient 

Clinic surveys were completed at Rapid City CBOC, Pierre CBOC and 

Mission CBOC in February 2012 and a targeted OIG Survey regarding 

staffing practices at the Hot Springs campus in June 2012. 

VA BHHCS continually strives to ensure safe and quality care is provided to 

our Veterans. All employees work in teams to accomplish this goal. One 

2012 accomplishment we are very proud of is the improvement with lipid 

management in all Veterans who have diabetes or heart 

disease. Dieticians, pharmacists, nurses and the providers each play an 

important role in this care. 

The goal of the Patient Safety Program is to promote a culture of safety 

aimed at preventing injuries to patients, visitors and staff. We encourage 

reporting of all real incidents as well as close calls to reach this goal. When 

an incident occurs, a thorough review of all processes contributing to the 

incident is conducted and improvements are implemented to decrease the 

likelihood that the same event will occur. A focus this year has been in 

preventing any fire related injury when oxygen is used. 

VA BHHCS strives to keep Veterans, their families and the public at large 

informed about the quality of care it provides. Transparency of quality and 

safety measures helps assure our stakeholders—Veterans Service 

Organizations, Congress and the American people—that the investments in 

VA care benefits Veterans and the Nation. Public reports of facility 

performance are available at www.Data.gov and comparisons of VA 

facilities with private sector counterparts are available on 

www.HospitalCompare.hhs.gov. Our goal to provide safe and quality care is 

evident in the information available on these VA Links. We consistently 

meet or exceed all measures for safety, effectiveness and efficiency. 

ACCREDITATION

PERFORMANCE

IMPROVEMENT
Integrity is...doing the right thing, even if it’s not the easiest road to travel

-Kimberly Schnose 

WHERE WE SERVE

VA BHHCS consists of two medical centers located at Hot Springs and 

Fort Meade, South Dakota (approximately 90 miles apart); and a VA 

staffed Multi-Specialty Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) located in Rapid City, 

South Dakota. Contract CBOCs are located in Pierre, Winner, and 

Mission, SD, and Gordon and Scottsbluff, Nebraska. There is also a 

contract with Prairie Community Health with clinics available to 

Veterans in Eagle Butte, Isabel, and Faith, South Dakota. The BHHCS 

operates Outpatient Clinics in Pine Ridge, South Dakota and Newcastle, 

Wyoming. BHHCS also has Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) 

programs in McLaughlin, Eagle Butte, and Pine Ridge, South Dakota, 

serving Veterans on the Standing Rock, Cheyenne River and Pine Ridge 

Indian Reservations. In addition, CWT Residential Care units are located 

in Rapid City, Sturgis and Hot Springs, South Dakota. 

ACCESS TO CARE

With such a wide-spread service area, VA BHHCS is committed to 

improving access to care. 

One way we are doing this is by expanding our relationships with 

existing community health care providers and Indian Health Services, 

working together to provide our Veterans with the best primary care 

possible in their communities. 

FISCAL YEAR 2012 

TOTAL EXPENSES: 

$169,664,552 

SALARY AND BENEFITS: 

$84,824,450 

TOTAL DRUG EXPENSE: 

$15,126,202 

SUPPLIES & OTHER: 

$44,123,656 

SPECIFIC PURPOSE 

EXPENSES: $17,477,079 

NRM PROJECTS: $5,741,444 

EQUIPMENT: $1,519,585 

SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC AND 

REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES 

FUND (STRAFF): $852,136 

DONATIONS: $300,510 

VOLUNTEERS: 307 

EMPLOYEES: 1,056 

VETERANS SERVED: 18,988 
-Work diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries.-Be driven by an earnest belief in VA’s mission-Fulfill my individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities. 

The VA BHHCS is committed to providing quality care with help from updated 

facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, through constant updates and 

renovations, to keep all facilities performing at their best. 

A new service was added to the VA, which helps patients 

receive premium care, even if a service provider is not 

present at the facility. This service is known as Telehealth. It 

uses video to connect doctors in one geographic location to 

assist in the care of patients in another location. The system 

allows doctors to observe a patient and assist the on-staff 

doctors and nurses in the necessary treatment plan. 

With a commitment to increasing access for our rural 

Veterans, Telehealth helps bridge the gap, reducing extra 

trips into our main facilities. Black Hills Telehealth began with 

a Pharmacy program, and quickly added Diet and Nutrition, Mental Health, 

PTSD, MOVE individual and groups, and Speech Therapy. Over the past year 

Telehealth has expanded to include Pulmonology, Neurology, Pre-Anesthesia, 

SCI, Amputee clinic, Hospice/Palliative Care initial consults, Recreation 

Therapy, OEF/OIF/OND Primary Care, Endocrine, Liver, Inpatient Mental Health 

rounds, additional outpatient Mental Health clinics, Ortho, Oncology, Urology, 

increased Cardiology services, and compensation and pension examinations for Fayetteville, Denver, Prescott and Black Hills Veterans. 

The ICU Tele-Health observing doctor (right) and camera (left). 

TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTH CARE

In addition, our employees are committed to developing and improving their skills. One way is the Leadership Effectiveness Accountability Development 

(LEAD) program. LEAD is designed for individuals to develop leadership skills which can be utilized in upper leadership positions throughout the VISN. 

Individuals are selected on the premise of their promising potential. Our local VA BHHCS 2012 LEAD class had nine employees: Teresa Bethea, Amy 

Gibson, William Burke, Sherry Gutsche, Melinda Haines, Jocelyn Mills, Eveline Shoun, Russell Skovlund and Sharon Thorson. They participated in the 18 

month training course where they learned about the various programs offered by the clinical service lines of Primary Care, Mental Health, Surgery and 

Specialty Care and Extended Care and Rehab. They completed a final System Redesign project and presentation in December. 

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
VA BHHCS has a devoted staff of employees and volunteers who 

collaborate in providing first-rate care for the Veterans they serve. 

The VA offers services for Veterans that may not be available to them 

elsewhere. These services include food, clothing and basic goods, in 

addition to all the healthcare services available. This is made possible 

through the generous donations made from individuals in the community 

and local service organizations, corporate sponsors and schools. 

In November of 2011, a volunteer program was introduced which provides 

companionship to Veterans in their final hours. The program, No Veteran 

Dies Alone, partners Veterans with volunteers who are available to provide 

camaraderie through reading, music or other activities to comfort the 

Veteran. 

The American Legion Auxiliaries also host an annual Holiday Gift Shop 

which allows Veterans in treatment programs and long-term care the 

opportunity to shop for their loved ones for the holidays free of charge. 

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) partners with VA BHHCS to ease the 

obstacle of transportation for Veterans seeking care. More than 80 VA 

BHHCS volunteers provide transportation to an average of 800 Veterans 

each month, and drive an average of 35,000 miles each month. Vans are 

purchased by donations from Veteran service organizations and 

community donations, along with matching funds from the DAV Columbia 

Trust Fund. This year, VA BHHCS received four new vans from DAV, 

amounting in an in-kind donation of $104,160. 

FORT MEADE

 MONETARY: $37,037.51 

 IN-KIND: $121,710.76 

 VOLUNTEERS: 210 

HOT SPRINGS

 MONETARY: $8,389.78 

 IN-KIND: $133,372.02 

 VOLUNTEERS: 97 

TOTAL: $300,510.07 

Commitment is...following through on what you agreed to do. Our word is our honor. 

-Emily Moffitt 

AMERICAN LEGION & AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

VFW & VFW AUXILIARY 

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS (DAV) 

SALVATION ARMY

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

STURGIS SCHOOLS

AMERICAN RED CROSS

HELP HOSPITALIZED VETS

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

40/8 

THE RETIRED ENLISTED ASSOCIATION

ELKS

SHRINERS

ROTC 

BOWLERS TO VET LINKS

HOT SPRINGS SCHOOLS

STURGIS RALLY CHARITIES FOUNDATION

LEGION RIDERS

VARIOUS NATIONAL GUARD ORGANIZATIONS

AND A MULTITUDE OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS

Top: Volunteers get their 

instructions for helping Veterans 

during Soldier Days at Ft. Meade. 

Right: Faithful Hot Springs 

volunteers take a break before 

opening the doors at the Holiday 

Gift Shop. 

VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Recognizing that the fastest growing population among Veterans are 

women, VA BHHCS is on the forefront of reaching out to Women 

Veterans in a variety of ways. Just one of these is in meeting the unique 

needs of those who find themselves homeless. 

In a continuing partnership with the Corner Stone Rescue Mission in Rapid 

City, the Women and Children’s shelter offers a safe haven for homeless 

female Veterans and their children. 

The shelter provides food, shelter, clothing, case management and 

employment assistance for women Veterans and their children. The shelter 

has seven beds reserved for female Veterans and their children. Each 

female Veteran also has the opportunity to work with a VA BHHCS 

homeless vocational rehabilitation specialist to encourage and enhance 

social and work skills needed in the world today. 

VA BHHCS also held its first Women Veterans Stand Down this year. 

VA BHHCS staff were available to hear issues, answer questions, and 

provide information on VA benefits, programs and health care enrollment 

opportunities. 

They also provided clothing, meals, haircuts and gift certificates, 

information on health promotion and disease prevention, mental health 

referral and information, homeless 

assistance and vocational assistance 

to Stand Down participants. More 

than 20 women Veterans received 

assistance. 

-Be truly Veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering and appropriately advancing the interests of Veterans and other beneficiaries 

 Primary & Specialty Care  Reproductive Care

 Menopause Treatment  Cancer Screenings/Mammograms 

 Gynecology Services  Mental Health Care VA BHHCS Staff member helps a women 

Veteran at the Women’s Stand Down 

WOMEN’S 

HEALTH CARE

We recognize that Women Veterans have different medical and 

mental health needs than their male counterparts. VA BHHCS offers 

services to Women Veterans in the following areas: 
Advocacy is...giving voice to those who cannot speak. 

-Martha Beck 

Rapid City Stand Down (above) 

Graduates of the CWT Program 

(right) 

In 2010, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced a plan to drastically 

reduce the number of homeless Veterans across the country. VA BHHCS 

has committed to supporting these efforts by assisting the homeless 

Veterans in the Midwest. This is done through several programs that help 

homeless Veterans get back on their feet and provide them with the 

tools they will need to sustain a normal lifestyle. 

Compensated Work Therapy is a program that helps homeless Veterans 

transition back into life in the workforce. VA provides shelter and on-thejob training through Black Hills Technical college, which allows Veterans 

to obtain a certificate in jobs available on VA facilities. Another program 

provided for homeless Veterans are Stand Downs, which are intensive 

service fairs for Veterans and their families, offering health and benefit 

information and personal care and clothing items. 

PROVIDING HOPE

HOPTEL

Women Veterans 

1,702 

6.4% of Veterans served at VA 

BHHCS are Women 

Homeless Veterans 

548 

Stand Downs FY 2012 

12

VA BHHCS has agreements for 

homeless Veteran housing in 

Grant & Per Diem: 

Corner Stone Rescue Mission 

Rapid City, SD 

Oglala Pine Ridge 

Pine Ridge, SD 

Warrior Lodge 

McLaughlin, SD 

Total homeless beds available: 

HUD-VASH vouchers for 

housing= 130 

Transitional beds = 188 

Emergency beds = 80 

Dental Initiative qualified = 248 

Received dental care = 212 

Since 2010, VA BHHCS has helped 

14 percent of the regional 

homeless Veteran population get 

back on their feet. 

CWT Program 

153 Veterans have successfully 

completed the CWT program at 

VA BHHCS

Many of our Veterans must travel more than 50 miles to the Medical Center 

and free temporary lodging can be a true haven. Some Veterans may stay for 

weeks receiving chemotherapy or radiation for their cancer, others stay for the 

night to ensure their timely arrival for tests or surgery the next day. 

In December 2010, VA Black Hills HCS received funding for the conversion of a 

four bedroom quarters into a Veterans’ “Hoptel” – temporary overnight 

housing for Veterans undergoing treatment at the Fort Meade campus with 

one bedroom reserved for women Veterans and their attendants/spouses/

children as appropriate. 

“The Lodging at Fort Meade” opened in September of 2012, ensuring 

Veterans already concerned about their health, finances and transportation do 

not have to worry about where they will sleep. 

The “Common Space” of “The Lodging at Fort Meade” also includes a kitchen. 
-Treat all those I serve and with whom I work with dignity and respect. -Show respect to earn it. 

Left: The renovated women’s quarters of the domiciliary at Hot Springs 

medical center. 

Above: VA’s traveling display honoring Native American Veterans

VA BHHCS is dedicated to serving all Veterans, no matter their race or gender, with 

premium care. We strive to respect the cultures and personal boundaries of all our patients 

and have taken strides in ensuring this. 

The VA recently updated the female Veterans unit of the Hot Springs domiciliary to provide 

more privacy for female residents during their stay at the VA. The rooms are available in 

private and semi-private settings with communal living spaces for social interaction. 

The Black Hills region is home to many Native American Veterans and the VA offers services 

to support the culture and traditions of these tribes. The VA supports an annual Veterans 

Powwow, which facilitates the gathering of Native American Veterans and promotes the 

sharing of their traditions with the community. In addition, the VA routinely offers 

presentations and displays honoring Native American Veterans. 

RESPECTING MINORITIES
Respect is...giving honor to all you work for, with, and the building you work in. 

-Diana Bader 

Black

3%

American 

Indian/Alaska 

Native

59%

Asian

3%

Native 

Hawain/Pacific 

Islander

0.1%

2 or more races

12%

Hispanic

23%

The Minority Veterans 

Program (MVP) assures 

that minority veterans: 

 Receive equal service 

regardless of race, 

origin, religion, or 

gender 

 Do not encounter 

barriers in their 

attempt to access VA 

services 

 Are treated with 

respect and dignity by 

VA service providers 

Who we serve: 

 African Americans 

 Asian Americans 

 Hispanic Americans 

 Native Americans, 

including: 

 American 

Indians

 Alaska Natives 

 Native 

Hawaiians 

 Pacific Island 

American 

Staff at VA BHHCS Hot Springs attend a training session on Native American Awareness 

LEARNING FOR

UNDERSTANDING

LEARNING FOR 

VA BHHCS staff attend in-service training, workshops and take online 

training courses to help them understand some of the cultural 

differences within our diverse Veteran population. 

One such program is an annual retreat, ”The Gathering of Healers”. This 

four day gathering helps increase understanding of the Plains Indian 

people by learning more about their beliefs and culture. The goal is for 

us to become a true partner in healthcare with our Native American 

veterans. 

Our Minority Veterans Program manager is available to assist 

employees and Veterans. 

Minority Veterans Served
VA BHHCS is dedicated to excellence in all aspects of patient care and works to 

keep our Veterans happy and healthy. VA is doing so by performing top notch 

health care with state-of-the-art equipment and striving for patient satisfaction. 

In doing so, staff can be sure they are upholding the high standards that VA 

prides itself on. 

In an effort to stay up to date with patient needs, the Fort Meade campus 

recently opened new MRI services. The new MRI is equipped with personal 

setting options that allow the patient to choose scenes and music, making their 

experience more pleasant. In addition, the Hot Springs campus has opened a 

new dialysis unit that will accommodate more patients, while ensuring safety and 

comfort. With this addition, VA is offering dialysis services to both Veteran and 

Non-Veteran patients. 

VA BHHCS Call Center is known throughout the Midwest for it’s excellence in 

service. Our center will partner with the Fargo VA Health Care System in 

November 2012 to begin taking their Primary Care re-call scheduling. Our call 

center model for success has brought VA leaders from Central and Western Iowa, 

Nebraska and Eastern South Dakota to our facility. 

-Strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement -Be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them. 

The new MRI facilities at Fort Meade campus. (top) MRI 

Technician explains the new set up to a visitor at the 

open house. (right) 

Below Dianna Christiansen, RN, and Call Center Manager 

explains how the Call Center system works to Veteran 

Service Officers and Congressional representatives. 

PATIENTS FIRST
The Office of the Secretary of 

Defense has recognized two VA 

BHHCS employees for their 

pronounced patriotism in their 

efforts to support the National 

Guard and Reserve. This year John 

Henderson, Engineering Program 

Manager at the Hot Springs, was 

recognized for helping fellow 

employee, Matt Erpenbach, with a 

construction project while 

Erpenbach was serving for the Air 

Guard. 

Beth Erk, RN at Fort Meade, was 

honored after she supported Pfc. 

Sheena Olson-Embrey as she 

prepared for tour of duty overseas. 

The honor of being named Patriotic 

Employer symbolizes the VA 

BHHCS efforts to support the 

troops at home and abroad. 

John Henderson 

Beth Erk 

VA BHHCS has a devoted staff of individuals who collaborate to bring the 

best care possible to the Veterans. Many of them go above and beyond 

the call of duty. 

One of these employees is Police Captain Perry Huffman of the VA 

Medical Center in Hot Springs. Huffman was honored as the Police 

Supervisor of the Year in 2011 in the Medium Size Facility category. In 

addition, Huffman saved the life of a child with a mental impairment, in 

February of 2011, when he found the child wandering on the interstate. 

Huffman, along with Officer Shellhammer, was also asked to assist in the 

stitching of the US flag that was flown over Ground Zero on 9/11, while it 

was at Mt. Rushmore. 

Other employees include O’dell Reynolds, who was honored this year for 

50 years of service. O’dell served in the Air Force for 30 years and has 

worked for the past 20 years serving Veterans as a Housekeeping Aid. 

Susan Morris, PA-C, was also honored as the 2011 Physician’s Assistant of 

the year. These are only a few examples of the commitment to excellence 

among the employees here at VA BHHCS. 

Above: Officer Shellhammer and Captain Huffman pose with Miss South Dakota at 

the 9/11 Flag Ceremony. 

Left : VISN 23 was awarded the Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in 

Service to Homeless Veterans for its ongoing efforts to end Veteran homelessness. 

Center: Susan Morris as Physician Assistant of the Year 

Right: O’dell Reynolds poses with his wife, and Dr. Robert Jesse, VHA Principal 

Deputy Under Secretary for Health. and Janet Murphy, VISN 23 Director. 

Excellence is...giving my 100% ...to know that I have done all that I can to the best of my ability. 

-Kimberly Matz 

ABOVE AND BEYOND
The US Department of the Interior National Park Service recently recognized the Hot Springs campus, original site of the Battle Mountain Sanitarium, as 

a National Historic Landmark. Hot Springs was opened in 1907 as one of the first eleven Veterans homes built to care for the growing population of 

Veterans returning from war. Native American legends of the warm springs healing power, which ran through Fall River, made Hot Springs an ideal 

location for the sanitarium. The location was primarily used as short-term care for residents suffering from lung and respiratory problems. The facility 

was turned over to the Department of Veterans Affairs in the 1930s, where it has remained in use as a medical center. 

Fort Meade was established in 1878 as a military post, tasked to protect the gold miners and settlers moving through the Black Hills. It remained a 

military post until it was handed over to VA in 1944. Fort Meade has a rich military background, serving as residency to the 7th Calvary after the Battle 

of the Little Bighorn, the “Buffalo Soldiers” and the 4th U.S. Calvary. Fort Meade still serves as a training facility for the South Dakota National Guard and 

the Army National Guard Officer Candidate School. The Fort also holds claim to the birth of the “Star Spangled Banner” as the official military retreat 

ceremonial music, long before becoming the National Anthem. 

LIVING HISTORY
(above and right) Employee utilizing the 

TUG Robot, Eva, to get medication from 

the pharmacy to a patient. 

LIVING FUTURE

We are committed to providing quality health care with increased access 

and improving satisfaction of care for our Veterans. 

VA BHHCS was granted a waiver allowing the surgical department to 

perform total knee arthroplasty. Our Veterans will soon be able to have 

their knee replacement procedures performed locally by our orthopedic 

surgical team. Performing this intermediate complexity procedure is a 

major accomplishment in our patient-centered goal. 

We also hope to build a new surgery tower at our Fort Meade campus. 

This will allow more complex surgeries to be performed at VA BHHCS 

instead of sending Veterans to other facilities. 

Our valuable employees are able to spend more time serving Veterans 

with the use of Eva—the TUG Robot by Aethon. Eva is a new automated 

delivery system. She has an advanced navigation system and numerous 

sensors that allow her to make deliveries between the pharmacy and the 

wards throughout the day. She can safely navigate through the hospital 

and can wirelessly open doors, call the elevators and stop for people or 

objects in her path. Eva improves employee and Veteran access and 

satisfaction by eliminating extra trips to the pharmacy, delivering 

medications promptly and allowing employees to spend more time with 

Veterans. 
Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) 

Eagle Butte/Faith/Isabel , SD 

Prairie Community Health 

8000 Highway 212 

PO Box 860 

Eagle Butte, SD 57625

Phones: 

Eagle Butte (605) 964-8000

Faith (605) 967-2644

Isabel (605) 466-2120

Pierre , SD 

Linn Medical Clinic 

1601 North Harrison, Suite 6 

Pierre, SD 57501 

Phone: (605) 945-1710

Pine Ridge, SD 

PTSD Building 

Next to IHS Hospital 

Pine Ridge, SD 57770 

Phone: (605) 867-2393 ext. 4033 

Rapid City, SD 

3625 5th Street 

Rapid City, SD 57701 

Phone: (605) 718-1095

Rosebud, SD 

161 Main Street 

Mission, SD 57555 

Phone: (605) 856-2295

Winner, SD 

Avera Winner Medical Clinic 

1436 East 10th Street 

Winner, SD 57580 

Phone: (605) 842-2443

Gordon, NE 

300 East 8th Street 

Gordon, NE 69343 

Phone: 308.282.1442 

Scottsbluf, NE 

1720 East Portal Street 

Scottsbluff, NE 69361 

Phone: (308) 220-3930

Newcastle, WY

1124 Washington Boulevard 

Newcastle, WY 82701 

Phone: (307) 746-4491

Fax: (307) 746-3221

Fort Meade VAMC 

113 Comanche Road 

Fort Meade, SD 57741 

605-347-2511 

800-743-1070 

Hot Springs VAMC 

500 North 5th Street 

Hot Springs, SD 57747 

605-745-2000

800-764-5370

Call Center

877-339-6837

On-line 

www.blackhills.va.gov 

www.facebook.com/VABlackHills 

www. twitter.com/VABlackHills 

We serve Veterans from an area covering four states and 

over 100,000 square miles. We also provide mental health 

care to Wessington Springs, SD and primary medical care to 

Veterans at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home 

in Hot Springs, SD. In addition we have sharing agreements 

with Indian Health Services, Ellsworth AFB and South Dakota 

Army National Guard. 
NEWCASTLE, WY 

WINNER, SD MISSION, SD EAGLE BUTTE, SD 

SCOTTSBLUFF, NE 

PIERRE, SD 

HOT SPRINGS, SD 

PINE RIDGE, SD 

Rapid City, SD

FORT MEADE, SD 

GORDON, NE 
Fort Meade 

113 Comanche Road 

Ft. Meade, SD 57741 

605-347-2511 

800-743-1070 

Hot Springs 

500 N. 5th Street 

Hot Springs, SD 57747 

605-745-2000 

800-764-5370 

Call Center: 1.877.339.6837 

www.blackhills.va.gov 

www.facebook.com/VABlackHills 

www. twitter.com/VABlackHills 

Editorial and Design by Lauren Beukelman, Betsy Savage and Jill Broecher