For many people in rural North Dakota, a healthcare appointment isn't always a quick trip across town. Most of the time, it requires taking time off work, arranging transportation or driving long distances for services that patients in larger cities often take for granted.
Those extra miles may seem small on a map, but they can become significant roadblocks when a patient is waiting for a diagnosis, coping with a chronic condition or seeking emergency care.
At CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson in western North Dakota, Radiology Director Tammy Klaman, BS, RT(R)(M) believes where a patient lives should never determine how quickly they receive answers. That belief inspired "Imaging Without Distance," an initiative designed to bring advanced diagnostic imaging closer to home while improving access, efficiency and patient experience for the rural communities the hospital serves.
Thanks to their inspiring efforts, Klaman and her team at CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson were recently named the winners of Cassling's 2026 Imaging for Impact Award.
Keep reading to learn how a collaborative, cross-trained imaging team is helping ensure their patients receive timely diagnoses without having to leave their community.
Understanding the Rural Healthcare Challenge
Trying to receive healthcare in a rural community comes with unique obstacles. Many struggle with strict work schedules, transportation limitations, childcare, family responsibilities and more. For older adults and those managing chronic conditions, repeated trips for diagnostic testing can quickly become overwhelming, leading some to consider skipping preventive healthcare.
Klaman and her team saw an opportunity to make the process easier.
Rather than treating each imaging modality as a separate service line, they focused on creating a more coordinated approach that would allow patients to complete needed exams as efficiently as possible, often during the same visit as a provider appointment.
A Collaborative Approach to Better Access
To support this initiative, Klaman focused on building a highly flexible imaging team. The department includes 17 imaging professionals, with 15 technologists trained across multiple modalities. This cross-training model allows staff members to step into different roles when volumes increase or urgent needs arise.
“By working as one team rather than separate modalities, we are able to provide reliable imaging access despite the staffing challenges common in rural healthcare,” said Klaman.
With her 15-year tenure at CHI and quality management experience, Klaman brought lessons she learned outside of healthcare and applied them to radiology operations. She focused on creating a culture where team members are empowered to solve problems, take ownership and support one another.
And for Klaman, those lessons have come full circle. When scheduling conflicts or patient care challenges come up, her team members collaborate across modalities without hesitation to find solutions and ensure their patients are being taken care of.
Delivering Big-City Capabilities in Small-Town Communities
CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson's initiative is supported by a wide range of advanced imaging technologies, including CT, MRI, ultrasound, mammography, nuclear medicine, bone density and digital X-ray services. Many of these services are available around the clock to support emergency, inpatient and outpatient care.
The team's commitment to efficiency has produced impressive results:
The CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson team sought to ensure that patients experiencing time-sensitive conditions would receive prompt diagnoses and treatment recommendations without being transferred elsewhere whenever possible. In recognition of these efforts and in their high performance in rural stroke treatment, the hospital received the American Heart Association's Rural Stroke Gold Achievement Award.
Improving the Patient Experience
Beyond operational metrics, the department has also seen meaningful improvements in patient satisfaction.
By bringing advanced diagnostics closer to home and coordinating care across appointments, patients experience fewer travel burdens, faster diagnoses and smoother care journeys. Outpatient experience scores climbed from the 50% range to nearly 90%, demonstrating just how focused the team has been on communication, accessibility and compassionate care.
Rather than asking patients, "Do you have any questions?" staff began asking, "What kind of questions do you have?" The small shift encourages more meaningful conversations and helps patients feel more engaged in their care.
Creating Lasting Impact Through Kindness
In addition to the technology, the workflows and the impressive metrics, Imaging Without Distance was honored for its commitment to meeting patients where they are.
Whether it was coordinating multiple exams into a single visit, cross-training staff to improve access or finding creative ways to solve operational challenges, Klaman and her team began by asking themselves: "How can we make healthcare easier for the people who depend on us?"
CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson has helped rural North Dakota patients get easier and faster imaging access while standing as proof that life-changing innovation isn't always about million-dollar investments. Sometimes it's about taking a moment to look, listen and learn what’s around you and work together to make a difference and ensure every patient receives timely, compassionate care close to home.