Pictured left to right: Keirsta Ragels, CNM and Cassie Applegate, CNM
There are so many options available to women that they may not know about. It’s our job to educate them and support those informed decisions,” said Cassie Applegate, CNM. Cassie is one of two certified nurse midwives at Black Hills OB/GYN. In the state of South Dakota, certified nurse midwives are permitted to provide well-woman care, prescribe medications and obtain hospital privileges. “We’re fortunate to work in collaboration with a great team in the labor & delivery unit at the hospital. They are very supportive of women and their babies.”
Keirsta Ragels, CNM, the second of the Black Hills OB/GYN certified nurse midwife duo, explained that when their team cares for pregnant women, they aren’t just addressing pregnancy. For some women, the only time they have health insurance is during pregnancy and for a short window after delivery. With this in mind, they collaborate with other providers — such as behavioral health and gastroenterology — to help patients get the care they need for underlying conditions. “One thing that many people don’t consider is that, for a lot of women, their introduction into the healthcare setting is pregnancy and childbirth,” she said. “We want to make that first impression a good one.”
Women and their babies are able to enjoy full prenatal and birth care at Black Hills OB/GYN. This practice also offers preventative visits, screenings and care after delivery. “This is your experience, these are your choices. We’re here to support you through your journey — from puberty to menopause,” said Cassie.
The region served by these providers is quite broad — “We see patients from Wyoming, Montana, Pine Ridge and the areas surrounding Rapid City,” Keirsta explained. With this wide geographical reach, it’s not surprising that the practice delivered more than 360 babies in 2023 and touched countless lives.
6015 Mount Rushmore Road, Suite 2
Rapid City, SD 57701