Hofer’s journey with Freeman Regional began during physician assistant school when she completed a three-month primary care rotation in 2015. Today, she’s bringing more than a decade of healthcare experience back to rural healthcare, where she looks forward to caring for her neighbors and serving the communities she knows so well.

Following graduation from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Hofer joined Avera Medical Group’s Oncology & Hematology team, where she has spent more than 10 years caring for patients with complex medical conditions. She also gained valuable experience in urgent care, treating patients of all ages and a wide range of healthcare needs. Before becoming a physician assistant, she worked as both an Emergency Medical Technician and paramedic while earning her bachelor’s degree in biology from South Dakota State University. Those experiences helped shape the provider she is today and prepared her to care for patients in both the clinic and emergency department.

“I’m excited to return to Freeman Regional and serve the community close to home,” Hofer said. “I enjoy the variety that rural medicine provides and the opportunity to care for patients through every stage of life. Building lasting relationships with patients and their families is one of the most rewarding parts of being a provider.”

Hofer and her husband, Patrick, have three children—Sarah, Simon and Elijah—and are looking forward to welcoming their fourth child in December. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, helping on the farm and tackling home improvement projects.

“We’re excited to welcome Laura to Freeman Regional Health Services,” said Karissa Podzimek, Clinic Manager. “Laura brings a unique combination of experience in emergency medicine, urgent care and oncology that will be an incredible asset to our patients and residents. Beyond her clinical expertise, she has a genuine passion for rural healthcare and building meaningful relationships with patients and families. We’re thrilled to have someone with her experience and compassion joining our provider team.”

Guided by Those We Serve
Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS) is excited to celebrate the addition of assisted living care to the Walnut and Dewald Street Villages and Oakview Terrace – a continuation of Freeman’s tradition of neighbors caring for neighbors close to home.
To address the need for new assisted living options, FRHS leadership explored new models of senior care in 2024. Hospital leaders, providers, and board members toured senior living campuses across South Dakota that combine independent and assisted living. Inspired by what they learned, CEO Courtney Unruh and Senior Living Assistant Administrator Amanda Mettler met with each Village resident in May of 2025 to understand their preferences for future care.

“There was an overwhelming consensus that they did not wish to move again,” Unruh said. “Residents described moving as emotionally and physically challenging and expressed a strong desire to age in place.”

“These are important changes and will make living here even better – and it’s already good!” said Dewald Village residents Delmer and Shirley Hofer

“I am pleased I can stay here longer than I previously thought or expected. I can feel at home and settle in.” Walnut Village resident Darlene Bauer

Rather than asking residents to leave a place they loved, FRHS recognized an opportunity to bring additional services to them. “This approach allows us to strengthen senior living while supporting residents’ independence, dignity, and desires,” Mettler added.

The opportunity to adapt the Villages today is rooted in the vision of community leaders who planned them nearly three decades ago. “The Villages were thoughtfully designed, making the transition to assisted living a smooth process,” Unruh said. “The vision of the 1996 FRHS Board of Directors and CEO James Krehbiel created a facility that continues to meet our community’s changing needs 30 years later.”

In the summer of 2025, FRHS leadership evaluated how the Villages could be modified for assisted living. By August, the FRHS Board of Directors approved moving the project forward.

“By listening to our residents and thoughtfully evaluating how to build on what we already have, we’re creating a model of care that reflects the needs of today’s seniors while honoring the legacy that brought us here,” said Cindi Mutchelknaus, FRHS Board Member.

Since January, the FRHS maintenance team and local contractors have completed several improvements, including a nurses’ station, security system, and sprinkler installation. Additional enhancements include expanded dining, housekeeping, and laundry services, as well as a new call light system.

“We’re grateful for the support of the Freeman Community Foundation,” Mettler said. “Their grant is funding food warming equipment and steam tables that will allow us to serve three hot meals each day.”

FRHS also recognizes the ongoing need for independent living in our community. While today’s focus is creating new assisted living options, leadership continues to evaluate ways to expand independent and senior housing so residents can continue calling Freeman home through every stage of life.

Continuing the Journey
A decade ago, the Salem Mennonite Home recognized that the aging building would eventually need to transition to meet the changing needs and expectations of future generations. Now with less than 10 residents remaining, the time for that transition has come, and two new assisted living options will be ready to welcome each resident.

In addition to making the Villages assisted living capable, FRHS also received state approval to provide assisted living services at Oakview Terrace. A newly refreshed wing is being prepared to provide another welcoming option for residents whose needs are best met in that setting.

“Every resident has a unique story, and every transition has been approached with that in mind,” Mettler said. “We are walking alongside them and their families with compassion and care – listening, answering questions, and helping each person find the setting that meets their needs. Our goal is for every resident to feel supported, respected, and cherished.”

Some residents will move to the Villages, while others will make Oakview Terrace their new home, where compassionate care teams and welcoming environments await. The transition also allows familiar caregivers to continue serving residents they know so well. Assisted living team members from Freeman Regional Assisted Living will continue providing care at the Villages and Oakview Terrace.

Freeman Regional Assisted Living, which has operated within the former Salem Mennonite Home building, will move operations by the end of the summer. Future plans for the building will be prayerfully and thoughtfully considered in the months ahead.

“The Salem Mennonite Home building has faithfully served generations of residents, families, and caregivers,” Unruh said. “The people who lived and worked there created a legacy of compassion, faith, and service that FRHS is honored to carry forward.”

Honoring the Salem Mennonite Home Legacy – A Message from CEO Courtney Unruh
For generations, the Salem Mennonite Home has been woven into the story of our community. It has been far more than a building – it has been a place of faith, service, family, friendship, and care. For many, it was simply home.

We are planning a time to celebrate this ministry and legacy by sharing memories and honoring those who generously contributed over the years. Please watch the Freeman Courier for an announcement next month.

As we continue Freeman’s healthcare journey, we carry forward the responsibility of continuing the Salem Mennonite Home’s tradition of exceptional care while creating new places for our neighbors to call home. This is a tender time of transition where we can move forward with compassion, careful planning, and your support.

We invite you to join us on this journey – beginning with these new assisted living opportunities and continuing toward a new healthcare campus that will strengthen care, expand services, and support our communities for the next 75 years. Together, we can honor the past, celebrate the present, and build tomorrow together.

Sincerely,
Courtney Unruh, CEO/Administrator

P.S. While buildings and campuses may change over time, our mission and commitment to the people who call FRHS home—our residents, patients, families, employees, and communities —remain the same.

It is our mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care for all ages to positively impact the lives, health, and wellness of our patients, residents, employees, and communities.

“We are grateful to have the Freeman Community Foundation partner with us in supporting the senior living needs of our community,” said Amanda Mettler, Assistant Administrator of Assisted Living and Long-Term Care. “Village residents are anticipating the addition of assisted living services, and we remain on track to launch those services this summer.”

FRHS extends its sincere appreciation to the Freeman Community Foundation and its generous donors for supporting its mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care for all ages and to positively impact the lives, health, and wellness of patients, residents, employees, and communities.

In recent years, Freeman Community Foundation grants have supported several important projects across FRHS, enhancing patient care, caregiver safety, and clinical services:

• Emergency Department: Funding helped purchase the AIRVO oxygen therapy system, which provides high-flow oxygen support for patients experiencing shortness of breath, asthma exacerbations, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Nursing Home: Grant funding provided a bath lift chair, enabling caregivers to safely and efficiently assist residents in and out of the bathtub while improving comfort and reducing the risk of injury.
• Surgery Department: Support from the Foundation helped acquire a colonoscope and a Drager patient monitoring system, which continuously tracks vital signs during colonoscopy procedures, enhancing patient safety and quality of care.

These investments reflect the Freeman Community Foundation’s continued commitment to strengthening healthcare in Freeman and ensuring that high-quality care remains close to home.

“Strong communities are built through collaboration and shared investment,” said FRHS CEO Courtney Unruh. “The Freeman Community Foundation, along with the Freeman Development Corporation, the Freeman City Council, local business leaders, and many dedicated residents, all play an important role in helping Freeman thrive and ensuring that quality healthcare remains available for future generations.”

“We want to honor the people, the stories, and the moments that shaped healthcare in our community,” said Tabitha Schoenwald, FRHS Foundation Director. “The community played an essential role in establishing both the hospital and the Salem Mennonite Home, and their photos will help us bring this history to life.”

The 2026 gala will highlight the nearly 75-year history of the Freeman Community Hospital, founded through extraordinary community support, volunteerism, and generosity. The event will also honor the longstanding legacy of Freeman Regional Assisted Living (formerly Salem Mennonite Home), which has provided compassionate care in the region for more than 77 years.

To help showcase and preserve this shared history, FRHS is requesting historic photos, documents, and memorabilia from current and former employees, families, and community members. These items will be featured in a special video and event display during the gala.

“Healthcare in Freeman has always been a community effort,” said Courtney Unruh, FRHS CEO. “As we honor nearly 75 years of our hospital and the decades of service provided through the Salem Mennonite Home, we invite everyone to help us preserve this history.”

Freeman Regional is seeking items that may include:

• Early hospital or Salem Home photos
• Employee portraits or department photos
• Construction or renovation images
• Community fundraising or volunteer events
• Long-term care memories
• Any historical snapshots connected to local healthcare

How to Submit Items

Community members may email digital photos or drop off printed photos to be scanned. All originals will be handled with care and promptly returned.

Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Items may be submitted to:
Tabitha Schoenwald
510 E 8^th Street, Freeman
605-925-4000
tabitha.schoenwald@freemanregional.com

The project is scheduled for September 18–23 (weather permitting). During this time, the entire main parking lot will be closed to all traffic.

A map has been provided to show where parking will be temporarily relocated:

• Patient and Visitor Parking: Available along both sides of 8th Street and in front of the Specialty Clinic for patients with scheduled appointments.
• The sidewalk north of the parking lot will remain open for access to the main hospital/clinic entrance, business office, therapies and the nursing home.
• Our team will personally contact patients with scheduled appointments to assist with the best parking arrangements during this time.
• Helicopter Access: The south half of the church parking lot continues to be reserved for helicopter use and is marked with an “H” on the map.

“This renovation is an important step toward improving the safety and convenience of everyone who visits our facility,” said Courtney Unruh, CEO/Administrator. “We appreciate your patience as we complete this much-needed upgrade.”

Freeman Regional Health Services asks all patients and visitors to plan ahead and allow extra time for parking during this improvement period.

Thank you for helping us make this improvement for our facility! If you have questions, please contact us at 605-925-4000 and we’d be happy to assist you!

As part of our commitment to improving patient convenience, we centralized both clinic and hospital billing operations within our Business Office this past year. This strategic move allows patients to address all billing matters in a single visit, improving efficiency and reducing confusion.

In addition, Freeman Regional added a new online bill pay option, available at, www.personapay.com/freemanmed, which is also accessible through our website. This new feature provides patients with a quick, secure, and convenient way to manage their billing online, allowing for greater flexibility in handling payments at their convenience.

For any billing inquiries, assistance, or to make payments in person, patients can visit the Freeman Regional Business Office or call 605-925-4000.

We look forward to continuing to serve our patients and residents with the highest level of care, both medically and administratively, through this centralized approach to billing services. Thank you for choosing Freeman Regional for your healthcare needs.

In the above photo: Alison, Maureen, Mary, Monica, Amber, Carolyn, Bobbi
Not pictured: Shayla

Dustin graduated from Platte High School in 2003 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Augustana College in 2007. He went on to complete his Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2012. With a solid foundation in nursing, Dustin has gained valuable experience over the years, including two years in medical-surgical nursing and two years in the intensive care unit. He has spent the past 11 years at Avera Occupational Medicine, where he mastered his skills at provided high quality care to patients.

Upon completion of his nurse practitioner degree in 2012, Dustin worked at Freeman Regional for a year. “I am looking forward to rejoining the team and contributing to the health and well-being of our community,” Dustin shared. “It’s a privilege to take care of the people in the place I call home.”

Dustin lives in Freeman with his wife, Diana, and their four children. He enjoys watching and coaching his kids in sports, taking family trips to the zoo, and wine tasting adventures with his wife.

Join us in welcoming Dustin back to Freeman Regional as we continue our commitment to providing high quality and compassionate care for all ages.

Carmen graduated from Marion High School in 2011 and completed her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) education at Southeast Technical College in 2013. She continued her studies at Southeast Technical College, earning her LPN to RN associate degree in 2015, followed by an Associate to Bachelor’s RN program at the University of South Dakota. Over the years, Carmen has gained valuable experience in family medicine, long-term care, urgent care, and medical-surgical nursing.

Carmen spent seven years at Freeman Regional as a hospital and ER nurse, where she developed a deep understanding of patient care in various settings. In 2020, she earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing from Mount Marty College. Since then, she has applied her Nurse Practitioner (NP) skills across several areas, including hospitalist, cardiology, family practice, urgent care, and emergency medicine. Throughout her career, Carmen has maintained her role at Freeman Regional, contributing to the clinic, hospital, and ER.

Carmen is passionate about serving rural communities and is pursuing a post master’s certificate in psychiatry and mental health. This additional training will equip her to provide essential psychiatric services to the populations we serve.

Outside of her professional life, Carmen enjoys spending quality time with her three boys, who attend school in Parker, SD. She loves being outdoors, swimming, traveling, and fostering pets.

Please join us in welcoming Carmen Hendrix to her new full-time role at Freeman Regional Health Services. We are excited about the expertise and compassion she brings to our team and the communities we serve.

If you would like to make an in-person donation, you may do so at:
FRHS Assisted Living – 106 W 7th St., Freeman, SD
FRHS Business Office – 510 E 8th St., Freeman, SD

What a joy to be sending this email on a day that actually feels like summer!! I don’t know about you, but the sunshine helps me to be more appreciative of everything I’ve been given, and just enjoy life a bit more fully.

I wanted to email to keep you up-to-date on some coming events and also some opportunities to support Freeman Regional.

First, some events.

1. FRHS Foundation Golf Tournament
   Thanks to rain, rain and more rain, we chose to postpone the June 21st event to Friday, August 30th. Our hope is that a later date will give our teams ample time to regroup and attend. We’re thankful for a full tournament and look forward to the new date!
2. Mutton Run
   On the morning of the SD Chislic Festival, July 27th,  FRHS will again host the Mutton Run at Assisted Living (more details below). Later in the day, FRHS will provide the Family Room at the Chislic Festival to give those with children a retreat, with supplies to care for their families.
3. Community Events
   You can find FRHS at the Freeman Farmer’s Market, held Wednesday evenings at the swimming pool park. We’ll also be at Crazy Daze on Main Street, Freeman on July 17th at 4pm.
4. Turner County Fair
   During the ‘4 Best Days of Summer’ from August 12-15, Freeman Regional will have a booth promoting kids wellness along with our many services. Stop by and say hello while you enjoy the best fair around!

Second, the opportunities.

1. Surgical Department
   With the postponement of the golf tournament, there is still time to support our efforts in raising funds for new surgical equipment. Givebutter.com/frhsgolf24 has all the details, if you’d like to find out more. We are at 92% of our goal – can you help us reach 100%?
2. Run/Walk for Senior Living
   We’d love to have you join us for the Mutton Run on July 27th. We offer a 10k, 5k or 1 Mile Walk/Run with funds being directed to Senior Living. Last year this event helped us add an awning to Assisted Living, so our residents can enjoy the outdoors in the shade. All the details can be found at givebutter.com/muttonrun24.
3. Songs for Senior Living
   Thanks to a recent memorial donation, we have a unique opportunity available for individuals to recognize a loved one through the purchase of new hymnbooks for Assisted Living and the Nursing Home. If you are interested in this memorial opportunity, please stop by the FRHS Business Office, or email me. The name of your loved one, and yourself, will be printed on the inside cover of each $25 book you sponsor. My family is sponsoring two books, in memory of my grandmas who spent time in the Nursing Home, so we’re looking for 16 others to complete this project.
   
4. Facebook
   Are you following us on Facebook at fb.com/freemanregionalhealthservices? We share information, recipes, recognition and a lot more, and we’d love to see your name pop up as a follower!

That’s all for now – thanks for reading-up on FRHS! We love what we do and how we CARE for our patients and residents. Next week we’ll be announcing our quarterly CARE Award winners and can’t wait to showcase the four individuals who our team has chosen for their Compassion, Attitude, Respect and Excellence.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Tabitha Schoenwald
tabitha.schoenwald@freemanregional.com
Foundation + Marketing Director

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