January 21, 2026---9-10----Working on Wellness Wednesday—50-83

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    I’m Bill Zortman and Welcome to our Working on Wellness Wednesday Show—Show 50-83 in OUR ORIGINAL It’s YOUR Business Series.

   We get started with Dean Dr. Tim Ridgway---USD Sanford School of Medicine Vice President for Health Affairs---

   Dr. Ridgway good morning—I see you want to speak about your incredible faculty and the fact that patient care improves when physicians are part of the education process---

---------Dr. Ridgway------------

    We know as well that you and others are working on locations in 2026---what and when are you expecting it----and what difference do you see it making------

-------------Dr. Ridgway-----------

    Where are your medical students coming from---and what do you believe attracts them—obviously—some by location----some by studies---some by what else----

-----------------Dr. Tim-----------------

    The legislative session is always attractive to the students---and if you will share—when you will be going—and the boost the students get from talking with the governor and lawmakers---

-----------------Dr. Tim------------------

    I like your approach that patientcare improves when physicians are part of the education process----

---------------Dr. Tim Ridgway---thanks for being a part of this program and keeping our listeners in the loop about health care—today, tomorrow and beyond..

-------we’d like to keep you around for a story we received about flu in South Dakota---

9:17/00—KELO COMMERCIALS

9:18/30---Med 2

  Dr. Tim Ridgway has joined us –Dean of the Sanford School of Medicine-----we appreciate you being with us---

  One of the stories we receive on health care—comes from here in South Dakota—and this morning it deals with flu—and we would like to get your read-out on what you are hearing and seeing

New H3N2 Flu Strain Raises Stakes for South Dakota and the Northern Plains

A fast-changing H3N2 strain first flagged earlier this winter is now dominant nationwide. Health officials say flu activity in South Dakota and the region remains manageable but worth monitoring.

Flu season arrives every year, but public health officials are watching this one a little more closely because of a newly dominant strain of influenza A(H3N2) that emerged after this season’s vaccine formula was finalized.

The strain, known as H3N2 subclade K, accumulated enough genetic changes to draw notice from epidemiologists tracking global flu patterns. A December 19 report in JAMA Medical News described its spread in several countries, including early and heavier-than-usual flu activity in parts of Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada.

In the United States, health officials say flu timing remains typical for midwinter. What has changed is which strain is circulating.

Northern Plains News first reported in December on the emergence of the H3N2 subclade as the flu season began to take shape. Since then, the strain has become dominant nationwide as vaccination rates have slipped.

      What the data show in South Dakota and the region

In South Dakota, state health officials continue to track influenza through weekly surveillance updates. So far this season, the state has reported six flu-related deaths, more than 5,200 cases and more than 330 hospitalizations, according to the South Dakota Department of Health.

Officials note those figures reflect cumulative, midseason reporting, not a sudden surge. Recent weekly updates continue to describe overall flu activity as low, suggesting the season may be moving past its peak rather than accelerating.

Regionally, influenza activity remains elevated but stable across the Northern Plains. Federal surveillance data show HHS Region 8 — which includes South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah — has reported higher laboratory test positivity than other regions in recent weeks. Public health experts caution that percent positivity often peaks during midwinter and does not, by itself, indicate increasing severity.

       Health officials emphasize that “low” activity does not mean zero impact. South Dakota’s older population, long travel distances to hospitals and limited rural health capacity mean even moderate flu seasons can strain care systems, particularly for older adults and young children.

        The emphasis, officials say, is preparedness rather than alarm.

         What makes H3N2 different

H3N2 viruses are a regular part of seasonal flu, but they are often associated with somewhat more severe seasons, especially for older adults and young children.

        Federal surveillance data show that roughly nine out of 10 H3N2 viruses now being characterized in the United States belong to subclade K. Researchers have identified multiple mutations in a surface protein targeted by vaccines, raising the possibility of a less precise match this season.

That does not mean the flu vaccine is ineffective.

Even in seasons when circulating strains drift from the vaccine, flu shots consistently reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Dr. Tim Ridgway—appreciate your visit-------lets talk again soon…

--------there are some events we want to share with you this morning during our working on Wellness Wednesday Show—and it deals with our friends from McCrossan’s Boys Ranch---and their needs -all following Fox Biz News---

9:29/00—KELO Commercials

9:30/30---Fox Biz News

9:32/30---Wellness Wednesday 3

((((Taped Segment on McCrossan’s Boys Ranch)))

((could also use---Sioux Metro voice in the short segment too))

  We always appreciate all you and those at the Ranch do ---and it truly is important for us---to help where and when we can----thanks to the Ranch and all those involved…

   We have been following along this week in Pierre with the Legislative Session that is in process.

   We have utilized Tyler Torgeson and the Sioux Metro Alliance---and they will be a part of our 10:00 show this morning ---along with Congressman Dusty Johnson—and others making news-----from Pierre---Casey Halverman—SE Wellness Tourism---in Pierre too

   We’ll steal a little bit in our 10:00 next from the Capital with Teri Schmidt---

9:45/00—KELO Commercials

9:46/30---Wellness Wednesday 4

  For those that don’t know we utilized Teri Schmidt---Experience Sioux Falls in our Friday shows----she keeps us plugged in on what is being planned---- and how we are approaching areas---events---and selling Sioux Falls----

   Teri is in Pierre this morning -----and we expect her back with us on Friday----

   Pierre---what are you seeing---hearing---and more important what are you saying-----

---------------------Teri-------------------

   Who do you talk to the most when it is this kind of week in Pierre we see with the Legislative Session----

----------------------Teri------------------

   We are just 3 weeks into 2026----kind of events we might look forward to later in the year…

----------------------Teri--------------------

   When you share with your audience---including ours –EXPERIENCE Sioux Falls---how do you view people doing that?

----------------------Teri---------------------

   We’ll talk with you ---a little more about the events you have taken in here in Pierre-----and lawmakers from our Experience Sioux Falls Area…

---we’ll get you ready for Fox News---as well ----as Congressman Dusty Johnson to start our 10:00—Agri Business Show

9:55/55---KELO Commercials

9:57/30---Wellness and Staying Able to do things

   Good to have you with us on this It’s Your Business Show---including some health care----some looks at even McCrossan’s Boys Ranch—and what’s ahead for them-----and we got to visit with a number of people that help us understand---not only what Experience Sioux Falls is all about---but events we have coming up.

   Dr. Tim Ridgway joined us-----who leads the Med School-----and trust me when we have questions about health care---even my wife---a former nurse---knows who to turn to.

   Teri Schmidt—who is with us on Friday for Experience Sioux Falls—is working in the Legislature to find out what we can learn –and get for today –tomorrow and beyond.

------tomorrow---I’m on a mission with my family---to one of the Iowa Communities I worked---Cherokee---

----------my Mom hit 100 this summer---living in Iowa—dad had died around 95---and their estate---with lands—properties—is now in a situation families love to see them in. Parents-paid the taxes on the land—and it is virtually tax free. We are meeting with some planners---tax leaders –and my Brother Doc---and Sister Kathy—will be meeting to do that planning of how to sell-----and to whom---good farm land----and being the oldest---I live in South Dakota—they have been working with Iowa planners and tax people---and we’ll take questions to them---and get ready to sell land down along the Missouri River---will let you know on Friday---how it all went together…and probably still is…

   Friday ----back to business as usual---

   Our time is up—thank you for yours-----