The Board of Directors at Philip Health Services, Inc. has developed a creative solution to address the housing challenges faced by staff, including both temporary and on-call employees who require nearby accommodations. After extensive discussions regarding staff housing in Philip, the decision was made to construct a six-plex, which will be situated directly across from the hospital complex.

Construction Details

Jensen Design Build, LLC, based in Mitchell, SD, is currently constructing the housing unit off-site, with plans to relocate it onto the foundation in the coming weeks (exact date to be confirmed). This efficiency apartment complex will feature six units designed for single occupancy.

Morgan Whites, R.N., was recently selected by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to serve on a nine-member nationwide panel for the NCLEX-PN Exam Review panel, Sept. 16-18, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois.

NCSBN depends on practicing nurses to assist in the exam development process. Involvement in NCSBN exam development is a source of pride for nurses and is indicative of Morgan’s commitment to the profession.

Whites began her career at Philip Health Services as a licensed practical nurse in the original Philip Nursing Home. After finishing school and receiving her Registered Nurse license, she returned to PHS where she is the resident care manager and social services designee.

Suzanne “Suzie” Stevens

In addition to recently earning her Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (CRCS) designation, Suzanne Stevens has proudly obtained the Critical Access Hospital Coding & Billing Specialist (CAH-CBS) certification. This credential is designed specifically for professionals working within Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), addressing essential knowledge areas in documentation, professional and facility coding, and the full medical billing process.

The program emphasizes key components of the revenue cycle, including CPT, HCPCS-II, and ICD-10-CM coding, and highlights their direct impact on reimbursement, facility operations, public health reporting, and our mission to serve rural communities.

Outside of Work

Much of my time outside of work is currently devoted to completing my Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a specialty in Management, which I will finish in December. Despite a busy academic schedule, I prioritize spending time with my grandchildren—my greatest joy. When time allows, my husband and I enjoy riding our Harleys together, exploring the beautiful prairies of South Dakota and the majestic Black Hills.

My Path to Healthcare

I often say this profession chose me. My journey in healthcare began years ago when I served as an EMT in Wall, South Dakota. That experience led me to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Platte, and later in Philip. Eventually, I transitioned into the business office, where I discovered a true passion for medical billing and revenue cycle management. I find great satisfaction in helping others and supporting the health of our community — both through direct care in the past and now through ensuring accuracy and efficiency in the billing process.

A Passion for Rural Health

Since moving to Philip in 2018, I have felt deeply connected to this area. Growing up in the Wall and Quinn communities, I have always appreciated the strength and closeness of rural life. Philip exemplifies that spirit. Our community is always ready to support one another, and I am proud to contribute to the health and well-being of our neighbors.

I truly love Philip Health Services and believe in the incredible work we do here. Our organization is committed to providing high-quality care to every patient who walks through our doors, and I take my role seriously in ensuring that we can continue to do so. I work hard to make sure patient insurances are paying what they should — not just for the benefit of the facility, but also to ensure our patients are getting the coverage they pay for and deserve. Every correctly paid claim helps us keep our doors open, maintain access to care, and continue fulfilling our mission of compassionate, community-based healthcare.

Marit Clawson, RN

Marit Clawson recently graduated from Western Dakota Technical College with a degree in registered nursing. Congratulations on this amazing achievement!

What brought you to Philip? An opportunity to run my own restaurant … I am a person who believes we are put in a certain place at a certain time for a reason. In the summer of 2016, I was fresh out of culinary school. I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu for Patisserie and Baking May 2015. I was living in Casper, WY, working three jobs and going to school full time for my hospitality management degree. My aunt sent me an ad for a restaurant in Philip with encouragement to move to Philip.

As someone who grew up in a small town in North Dakota, I thought I would never find myself “stuck” living in a small town again. I saw it as fate, when I checked my calendar and just happened to have two days off in a row that upcoming weekend. Two days later, I drove out to Philip to tour the PLA Cafe at Philip Livestock Auction. I went back to Casper and put in my notice at all three of my jobs and moved to Philip two weeks later. Little did I know, this small town would soon grow to have a special place in my life.

My husband and I welcomed our baby girl in June of 2018. Life carried us to Arizona in January of 2020. We moved back to Philip in August of 2021 just in time for baby number two.

Western Dakota Technical College started their satellite campus program in Philip shortly after we moved back to town. I thought my decision to go to nursing school happened by chance. An opportunity of pure convenience. After my first day at clinicals, in the nursing program, I realized I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Why nursing? Some may think that the transition from baking to nursing is a huge change, but the “why” that lies behind both of these passions for me is the same. The reason why I fell in love with baking from a young age was the reaction I received from those I shared my baked goods with. I have always found joy in the way that a sweet treat can brighten someone’s day. Nurses, I have come to realize, have the ability to bring joy to the patients they care for. The best part about nursing is that when you care for your patients with enthusiasm and compassion you not only improve their moment or day, but you can help people change their lives. In my opinion, that’s pretty amazing.

When/where did you graduate from LPN school?

Western Dakota Technical College- Philip satellite campus

Graduated December 2023

When/where did you graduate from RN school?

Western Dakota Technical College

Graduated May 2025

Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies:

My husband, Colton, and I have two crazy kiddos, Lilah, 7, and Ren, 3. In our spare time, we enjoy the outdoors, hunting and fishing, traveling, playing in the kitchen, and watching movies. Baking is still close to my heart and I enjoy spending time in the kitchen whenever I get the chance. I am currently building a bakery cart to bring more handmade items and fresh baked goods to Philip.

I am working at the Philip Clinic as a full-time RN. I have started training in the Scotchman Living Center and Philip Hospital to work PRN, as well.

I thought Philip would just be a temporary stop on my journey, but I have learned that the people here are unlike any other small town I have been to. The never-ending support offered to those young and old is inspiring. I am honored to serve those in and around this community and call Philip our home.

Admission Care Guide 2025

Provider-Based Billing Poster

by Vonda Hamill

When you think of charitable gifting, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Cash is the usual answer, but there are other creative ways to donate to entities that you want to support.

In the five years that the capital campaign for the nursing home operated, donations came in several different forms. Gifts of grain and cattle are common in our area, although a campaign in an urban area would be baffled by that notion. Several donors planned with the local elevators and the livestock auction to average out an amount of their sale to be paid to the building fund. Proceeds of the sale of a personal cattle brand were gifted to the cause. Gifts of stock, bonds, and individual property were witnessed as well. In-kind gifts come from people who have a particular skill or asset that a campaign can utilize. For instance, the use of a downtown space as an office, sign-making skills or printing equipment that can manufacture signs and help offset advertising costs. Of course, volunteering your time to an entity can be a remarkable gift, if feasible for all involved parties. It pays to approach the non-profit you are interested in and inquire about what kind of gifts they may be looking to acquire.

“The most unique approach to gifting,” commented campaign director Vonda Hamill, “was probably the gift of a personal oil painting of your choice in exchange for a cash donation.”

Frank Hansen, Albuquerque, New Mexico, took up oil painting in his retirement years. He took old photos of landmark buildings in the Haakon County area and created paintings of them. The paintings were left at Ginny’s coffee shop. Patrons could have a painting that they took a fancy to, in exchange for a donation of any size, to the campaign. “We saw several locals take home a painting of something that spoke to their childhood memories of Philip area, and we got a gift in return, it was really a great idea,” said Hamill. Then the donations started coming from folks in New Mexico, because Frank was doing the same thing in his own community.

More recently, Frank proposed that people can continue to acquire a painting if they wish, and they can choose the subject matter. He often paints childhood homes, favorite fishing spots, pets, and even cherished vehicles from photographs that he is supplied with by clients. He paints these subjects for free, the only caveat now is that the recipient makes some kind of donation to the Philip Area Health Foundation.

If interested, samples of Frank’s skill can be seen: paintings of what is often referred to as the Cutler Place from Northern Haakon County and the Plum Creek hay bottom are displayed in Ginny’s and the hallway to the Philip Clinic.

If someone is interested in obtaining one of Frank’s interpretations, they can contact Vonda Hamill at 605-859-2342 and find out the particulars about how to proceed. “It can be a really sentimental gift for someone, and the Foundation benefits from Frank’s talent and generosity as well,” summed up Hamill.