Delivering Confidence: How Winner Regional Health Supports Pregnancy and Postpartum Care through Shared Services
- Chelsea Luse
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
When Jake and Chelsea Luse of Colome, South Dakota, learned they were expecting their first child, they were filled with the same mix of excitement and nerves that every new parent experiences. But for Chelsea—who works in Winner Regional Health’s marketing department—there was one key comfort: the care and support she received began just steps from her office.
“It was such a relief to hear our baby’s heartbeat for the first time in a place that felt like home,” Chelsea recalled. “I just walked down the hall for my appointment. I knew I was in good hands from the very beginning.”
That early sense of reassurance would carry the Luses through a high-risk pregnancy marked by elevated maternal blood pressure and a marginal cord insertion diagnosis for their baby. But thanks to Winner Regional Health’s shared care model, Chelsea was able to remain close to home for most of her prenatal care—receiving advanced monitoring, personal attention, and peace of mind without frequent travel to larger cities.
Chelsea partnered with Certified Nurse Practitioner Kasey Kerner for her primary pregnancy care. As both a colleague and trusted healthcare provider, Kasey became a steady advocate. “Having a practitioner who not only knew me and my husband, but who genuinely cared about our situation, made all the difference,” Chelsea said. “Kasey walked with us every step of the way and helped us make the right decisions for our growing family.”
To ensure expert oversight, Chelsea also received care from maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Michael McNamara, who visits Winner Regional monthly as part of its Outreach Clinic services. “I could schedule my appointments over my lunch hour, saving time and reducing the stress that can come with winter travel,” said Chelsea. “And Dr. McNamara always made sure we had plenty of ultrasound photos to take home—those little moments of joy mattered.”
As Chelsea’s pregnancy progressed, she transitioned her delivery planning to Sanford Women’s Hospital in Sioux Falls under the care of Dr. Erin Grossenburg, while still managing most routine monitoring and follow-up through Winner Regional. Her C-section delivery and subsequent NICU stay went smoothly, with baby Barrett Luse arriving safely in December 2024.
Today, Barrett continues his pediatric care at Winner Regional Health with the same team that supported his journey into the world. “We still see Kasey for all of Barrett’s checkups,” Chelsea said. “It’s such a blessing to have that continuity of care. I never feel like I’m starting over—we’re surrounded by people who genuinely care.”
Though Winner Regional Health has temporarily paused labor and delivery services due to physician availability, its commitment to women’s health remains strong. Through its shared care model, Winner Regional continues to provide exceptional prenatal and postpartum care, combining small-town access with expert partnerships and cutting-edge technology.
“Our goal is to reopen our labor and delivery services as soon as we can recruit the right providers,” said Brian Williams, CEO at Winner Regional. “But in the meantime, families can rest assured that high-quality care—and a familiar, compassionate team—are still right here in Winner.”
For expectant parents in the region, shared care means the best of both worlds: expert medical oversight and the comfort of hometown care. And for families like the Luses, it means starting life’s greatest journey in a place that already feels like home.