Tessa McCullough, Au.D., ABAC

Written by rcmc-brent on June 10, 2025. 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.

605-791-0602

Schedule Appointment

241 Minnesota Street

44.0426,-103.2202

WRENT at Rapid City Medical Center

Amanda Sauer, CNM

Written by rcmc-brent on April 4, 2025. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Providers.

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.

Keirsta Ragels, CNM

Written by cloakendagger on September 24, 2024. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Providers.

Keirsta Ragels, CNM

Keirsta Ragels joins Rapid City Medical Center as a Certified Nurse Midwife. Her medical interests include Midwifery and Women’s Health, Preconception Counseling, Contraceptive Management, and Menstrual Cycle Irregularities

She is associated with the American College of Nurse Midwives and maintains Monument Health Hospital Privileges.

In her spare time, she enjoys time with her children, husband, and dog, reading, camping, hiking, fishing, and trying new foods.

Mallory Wipf, PA-C

Written by cloakendagger on September 16, 2024. Posted in Providers, Tower Road.

Mallory Wipf, PA-C

Mallory Wipf, PA-C joined Rapid City Medical Center’s Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology department just in time for their move to the Tower Road Clinic’s expanded location.

Mallory grew up on a ranch in central South Dakota. She attended college at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND graduating with a BS in respiratory therapy. She then attended the University of South Dakota graduating with her MS as a PA. She worked in pulmonology for many years before joining RCMC. She enjoys rock climbing, running, and backpacking as well as spending time with her nieces and two dogs

Paige Donahue, C-NP

Written by cloakendagger on June 6, 2024. Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Providers.

Paige Donahue, C-NP

Certified Nurse Practitioner, Paige Donahue, joined RCMC’s Urgent Care in 2024 – helping our clinic continue to see patients in a timely, professional, and compassionate manner.

Janessa Gross, C-NP

Written by cloakendagger on April 1, 2024. Posted in Providers, South Clinic.

Janessa Gross, C-NP

Janessa has always called the Black Hills home. She grew up in the hills and obtained her bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University before she began traveling for her nursing career. She has spent several years working at various Emergency Departments in Southern California as well as Washington state prior to returning back to the Rapid City area.

Once she returned to the Black Hills, she worked in emergency medicine, surgical hospital as well as pain management while she attended graduate school. After receiving her master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner from South Dakota State University she continued her career in emergency medicine before finding her place at Rapid City Medical Center.

Janessa has a passion for making a difference in people’s lives and feels that developing a caring and trusting patient relationship is a priority.

She enjoys spending her free time with friends and family paddle boarding, hiking, and camping as well as caring for their variety of farm animals and pets.

Kelly Steele, C-NP

Written by cloakendagger on January 5, 2024. Posted in Providers, South Clinic.

Kelly Steele, C-NP

Kelly grew up in the Black Hills area and earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree from South Dakota State University. For ten years, she worked as an RN in cardiology and vascular cardiology prior to earning her master’s degree in nursing from Clarkson College in Omaha to become a CNP. She joined RCMC South in 2023 after discovering her passion for Family Medicine and looks forward to forming long-term relationships with patients across their lifespan.

Kelly has a husband, Jay, 2 sons; Cole and Mason, 4 daughters; Caysee, Kimber, Cassi, and Taylor, a Pug, Oliver, a French bulldog, Charlie, and 2 labs; Bronco and Luna. Outside work, she enjoys watching college sports, especially Husker volleyball, reading, and home organization and decor.

Lannese Purtell, D-NP

Written by cloakendagger on November 29, 2023. Posted in MedArts, Providers.

Lannese Purtell, D-NP

Lannese is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She graduated from South Dakota State University with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Prior to obtaining her DNP degree, Lannese worked as registered nurse (RN) for almost 10 years. She has a passion for caring for individuals across their lifespan.

Lannese is a Rapid City native and enjoys the beautiful Black Hills. When not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three children.

Kristi Larson, C-NP

Written by cloakendagger on November 6, 2023. Posted in Providers, WRENT.

Kristi Larson, C-NP

Kristi was born and raised in Rapid City. She graduated with her RN from SDSU and worked as a nurse for 10 years before graduating from Walden University’s Family Nurse Practitioner program in 2018, and has been with RCMC ENT since.

She enjoys the ENT specialty as it is a small area but can make a large impact on someone’s health.

Kristi and her husband Justin are raising two daughters. When not working, Kristi enjoys camping, soccer, boating, and watching her daughters in the many activites they participate in.

605-791-0602

Schedule Appointment

241 Minnesota Street

44.0426,-103.2202

WRENT at Rapid City Medical Center

Map to this Location

Ashley Huerta, Au.D., CCC-A

Written by cloakendagger on October 6, 2023. Posted in Providers, WRENT.

Ashley Huerta, Au.D., CCC-A

Dr. Ashley Huerta earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. She is passionate about tailoring solutions to individual needs and finding a personalized hearing solution for both adults and children with hearing loss. She is looking forward to helping you along your hearing journey.

Dr. Huerta is certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) in Audiology (CCC-A) and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA).

605-791-0602

Schedule Appointment

241 Minnesota Street

44.0426,-103.2202

WRENT at Rapid City Medical Center

Map to this Location