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Author: rcmc-brent

Mindy Rowe, FNP-C

Mindy Rowe, FNP-C

Written by rcmc-brent on . Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Providers.

Mindy Rowe, FNP-C

Mindy Rowe, FNP-C, is a dedicated and experienced provider with The Skin Institute at Rapid City Medical Center. Raised in Rapid City, Mindy’s passion for healthcare was sparked at a young age after witnessing the care provided to an ill family member. That experience, combined with a desire to improve how care is delivered, set her on a path toward nursing and eventually advanced practice.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University and went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner at Mount Marty University. Mindy intentionally chose in-state programs, reinforcing her commitment to serving the people and communities of South Dakota. With over a decade of healthcare experience across a variety of settings and specialties, she brings a well-rounded and relational approach to patient care. Building strong, meaningful connections with those she serves.

Outside the clinic, Mindy embraces the beauty of the Black Hills through outdoor adventures with her husband, Dylan, and their two children, Deklan and Maddie. Whether it’s hiking, camping, biking, or traveling, her family loves to stay active and explore. She also has a passion for fitness, including a background in coaching CrossFit.

Mindy was born in Italy thanks to her family’s military roots, and she remains proud to serve veterans and active-duty service members in her practice. Her dedication to patient care, the local community, and continuous growth aligns seamlessly with Rapid City Medical Center’s core values.

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Karly Haug, FNP-C

Karly Haug, FNP-C

Written by rcmc-brent on . Posted in MedArts, Providers.

Karly Haug, FNP-C

Growing up in Canistota, South Dakota, Karly Haug, FNP-C, discovered early on a deep purpose to support and care for those around her. A value that continues to guide her approach to care in Family Medicine at Rapid City Medical Center. This calling lead her to multiple mission trips to Haiti in high school, and a lifelong commitment to serve others with compassion and purpose.

Karly earned both her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University. Go Jacks! Her journey from RN to Family Nurse Practitioner was fueled by a desire to advocate more deeply for her patients and be a stronger steward of their care. Her continued education reflects her belief in doing what’s best for the individuals and families she serves.

Outside the clinic, Karly enjoys spending time with her husband, their daughter, and two golden retrievers. They love being outdoors together, whether hiking, fishing, or golfing. She’s also an avid reader and self-declared coffee connoisseur.

With a deep-rooted passion for service and a strong sense of community, Karly is proud to provide family-focused care that reflects the values and spirit of Rapid City Medical Center.

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Sarah Rodolph, DNP, FNP-C

Sarah Rodolph, DNP, FNP-C

Written by rcmc-brent on . Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Providers.

Sarah Rodolph, DNP, FNP-C

Sarah Rodolph, DNP, FNP-C, APRN, is a skilled and approachable provider with The Skin Institute at Rapid City Medical Center. She has been working in dermatology since 2019, bringing years of specialized experience to her role. With a lifelong passion for caring for others, Sarah brings both clinical expertise and a personal touch to every patient interaction.

Originally born in New York, Sarah’s journey took her through Georgia and Colorado before her family settled in Spearfish, South Dakota, when she was 11. She moved to Rapid City to pursue nursing school at South Dakota State University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice. It was during this time she met her now-husband, and they’ve called the Black Hills home ever since.

Caring for others has always come naturally to Sarah. Nursing felt like the perfect fit, and her desire to deepen her ability to problem-solve and help others led her to become a nurse practitioner. Today, she’s proud to support patients through advanced dermatologic care with the same compassion and curiosity that inspired her journey in medicine.

Outside the clinic, Sarah leads an active, joyful life with her husband and their two boys. Together, they love spending time outdoors, tackling home projects, traveling, and finding the best local food and live music along the way. That’s not all, Sarah also enjoys tending to her chickens, dog, outdoor fish—and even runs a vacation rental.

Sarah’s dedication to her patients and community reflects Rapid City Medical Center’s core values,making her a trusted provider for dermatology care across the region.

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Tessa McCullough, Au.D., ABAC

Tessa McCullough, Au.D., ABAC

Written by rcmc-brent on . Posted in Providers, WRENT.

Tessa McCullough, Au.D., ABAC

Dr. Tessa McCullough has had a lifelong passion for hearing healthcare. Growing up in Boise, Idaho, she spent countless hours in her mother’s audiology clinic—watching firsthand how improving someone’s hearing can transform their ability to connect with the world around them. That early inspiration became her calling.

She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders and her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from Idaho State University. She is also certified by the American Board of Audiology. After completing her clinical training, she worked at an ENT clinic in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before bringing her skills and enthusiasm to the Rapid City Medical Center team.

Tessa provides compassionate, evidence-based care to patients of all ages, helping them stay connected to what matters most—family, friends, and community. She believes better hearing leads to better living.

Tessa was able to live this out in 2024, when she joined a mission trip to Nebaj, Guatemala. There she and a small team screened more than 500 children for hearing loss, fit over 40 hearing aids, and trained local caregivers to support long-term hearing care in their community.

When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll likely find Tessa cooking, snowboarding, hiking and exploring the outdoors with her husband and black lab Koda.

West River ENT at Rapid City Medical Center, LLP logo

605-791-0602

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241 Minnesota Street

44.0426,-103.2202

WRENT at Rapid City Medical Center

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Patient Shielding in X-ray Exams

Written by rcmc-brent on . Posted in News.

Rethinking Patient Shielding in X-ray Exams:
What You Need to Know

Why Shielding Isn’t Always the Best Protection

For decades, lead aprons and gonadal shields were standard practice in X-ray imaging. However, leading radiation safety experts now advise against routine patient shielding during diagnostic X-ray procedures — and for good reason.

Organizations like the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) have issued evidence-based recommendations that show shielding can sometimes do more harm than good.

What’s Changed

Thanks to modern imaging technology, radiation doses in diagnostic exams are significantly lower than they once were, and the risk to patients — especially reproductive organs — is now minimal.

According to NCRP Statement No. 13:
“Use of patient gonadal and fetal shielding during abdominal and pelvic radiography is not recommended as routine practice.”

Here’s why:
  • Shielding can interfere with automatic exposure controls, which may actually increase the dose of radiation.
  • Misplaced shields can obscure anatomy, potentially leading to repeat exams — and more exposure.
  • Shields do not significantly reduce radiation to internal organs due to scatter and internal absorption.
Backed by Science

The AAPM supports discontinuing routine shielding of patients during X-ray imaging, stating:
“There is no scientific evidence that shielding benefits the patient under current best practices, and shielding may adversely affect the diagnostic quality of images or increase the radiation dose.”

Patient Safety Is Still the Priority

Eliminating routine shielding does not mean less protection. In fact, it reflects our commitment to using the most up-to-date scientific standards to keep patients safe. With today’s technology, we can minimize radiation exposure more effectively through optimized techniques and equipment — not outdated shielding methods.

Still Have Questions?

We understand this is a shift from what many patients are used to. Our team is happy to answer your questions and provide more information about how we prioritize your safety every step of the way.

Additional Resources:


American Association of Physicists in Medicine

National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements

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Amanda Sauer, CNM - OB/GYN - Rapid City Medical Center

Amanda Sauer, CNM

Written by rcmc-brent on . Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Providers.

Amanda Sauer, CNM - OB/GYN - Rapid City Medical Center

Amanda Sauer, CNM

Amanda Sauer, CNM, is a dedicated Certified Nurse Midwife with a passion for women’s health, obstetric care, and personalized pregnancy support. Originally from Mitchell, SD, Amanda’s journey in healthcare began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from South Dakota State University, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) certification from Frontier Nursing University.

Her love for obstetrics and maternity care grew while working as a labor and delivery nurse at a critical access hospital. This experience deepened her desire to play a more active role in prenatal care, labor support, and postpartum wellness, leading her to become a nurse midwife.

Amanda is passionate about empowering women through every stage of life, from pregnancy and childbirth to reproductive health and beyond. She believes in providing evidence-based, compassionate care tailored to each woman’s unique needs.

When she’s not caring for patients, Amanda enjoys hiking, reading, quilting, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two children. She’s also a proud cat mom to three furry companions.

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