SPEARFISH, S.D. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Monument Health Foundation has purchased a new ultrasound machine and three wireless fetal monitors for Spearfish Hospital, strengthening OB/GYN services as the Northern Black Hills community continues to grow.
Funding from the “fund-a-mission” portion of the Northern Hills Hospice Fundraiser, A Night at the Derby, supported the purchase of the wireless fetal monitors, which are now in use in the Labor and Delivery Department. The equipment is designed to enhance monitoring for mothers and babies and improve patient comfort and care.
The ultrasound machine fills a long-standing need for the Spearfish OB/GYN practice. Providers had been sharing aging equipment, including one unit nearly 11 years old and beyond its useful life. The challenge intensified last October when the practice expanded to four providers with the addition of Dr. Michael Growney, leaving clinicians to rely on a single dependable machine.
“We are getting busier and busier here in Spearfish,” said Dr. Heather Brewer, an OB/GYN physician with Monument Health. “We’ve increased our delivery numbers from around 450 a year, which had been pretty consistent for 10 to 15 years, to around 550 this last calendar year. Having the extra ultrasound machine is helping us see more patients with their OB-GYN needs.”
Ultrasound imaging is essential for prenatal care and a range of OB/GYN services. With a second fully functional machine, providers can schedule appointments more efficiently, reducing delays and improving access to care for families across the Northern Black Hills and the broader Rapid City region.
The purchases totaled $164,453 — $81,065 for the ultrasound machine and $83,388 for the three wireless fetal monitors. Funding was made possible through Monument Health Foundation’s Children’s Miracle Network program and community support from events such as A Night at the Derby.
“Every gift to Monument Health Foundation truly makes a difference,” said Hans Nelson, director of the foundation. “These purchases demonstrate how our community’s generosity translates directly into improved patient care.”
The investment underscores ongoing efforts to expand access to women’s health services in Spearfish and across the Black Hills of South Dakota as patient demand continues to rise.
