Spring/Summer 2026 9 Top Physician for third straight year It’s a three-peat! Michael Pietila, MD, FCCP, FACP, a board-certified pulmonologist and critical care physician with Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C., was recently honored with the Top Physician of the Year award from Avera Home Medical Equipment (AHME) for the third consecutive year. AHME’s Jeff Hart presented the award to Dr. Pietila and Linda Reese, MPAS, PA-C, of the Yankton Medical Clinic pulmonology department. Among 1,800 independent and Avera physicians, Dr. Pietila achieved the highest performance across AHME’s key quality indicators, Hart says. The pulmonology team at Yankton Medical Clinic includes Reese and two registered respiratory therapists, working under Dr. Pietila’s supervision. Together, they deliver evidence-based treatment options to help patients reach their goals and breathe easier. The clinic offers comprehensive pulmonary function testing, imaging and sleep medicine services, eliminating the need for patients to travel elsewhere for comparable care. Make an appointment No referral is necessary to schedule an appointment with our pulmonology department. To make an appointment, call 605-665-1152. Michael Pietila, MD, FCCP, FACP (center), receives the Top Physician of the Year award, presented by Avera representatives to him and Linda Reese, MPAS, PA-C (center right). “Dr. Pietila, along with our entire pulmonology team, provides exceptional care to patients in Yankton and our outreach locations,” says Becky McManus, CEO of Yankton Medical Clinic. “We are fortunate to have a team led by such an expert in our region.” Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. One reason: It doesn’t often have symptoms in its early stages, when it’s easier to treat. That’s why an annual low-dose CT (LDCT) screening is a lifesaving test for people at high risk for lung cancer. Screening can help find lung cancer early, before symptoms start. That can mean more treatment options—and better outcomes. Who should get screened? LDCT screening is recommended for people who are at high risk for developing lung cancer. Ask your doctor about a screening if you: • Are between 50 and 80 years old. Questions about screenings? Schedule an appointment with one of our providers at yanktonmedicalclinic.com/scheduling. Lung cancer screening saves lives • Have a 20 pack-year smoking history. (For example, this means smoking a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.) • Currently smoke or you quit smoking in the last 15 years. If all three of the criteria apply to you, it may be time to schedule your screening. The benefits of screening are much greater for people at higher risk. So it’s not recommended for people who have never smoked.
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