ACH Honors Dakota County Jail Staff for Clinical Judgment That Prevented a Tragic Outcome
(Hastings, Minnesota) – Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. (ACH) is delighted to announce Sergeant Ruark and Correctional Officer Hansen as 2026 Heroic Intervention Award recipients, and Nurse Meese and Nurse Lankford as 2026 Critical Thinking Award recipients.
In April 2026, an individual arrived at the Dakota County Jail to be booked into the facility. During booking, the individual exhibited concerning behavior, leading Sergeant Ruark and Correctional Officer Hansen to pause the process and request a medical evaluation. After Nurse Meese and Nurse Lankford assessed the patient, they determined further care was necessary and arranged for EMS transport. Shortly after leaving the facility, the patient experienced a medical emergency that required immediate intervention. Thanks to the clinical judgment and swift actions of both correctional and healthcare staff, the patient received the critical care they needed to prevent a tragic outcome.
The Heroic Intervention Award is presented to any jail staff involved in a lifesaving situation that saves a life or potentially prevents a tragic outcome where Narcan and CPR were not administered. The Critical Thinking Award is presented to an ACH associate or jail staff member who exhibits exceptional critical thinking skills and adaptability in analyzing complex situations, making sound decisions, and implementing innovative solutions to deliver high-quality patient care and enhance outcomes in life-threatening conditions where death would otherwise be imminent.
"We are immensely proud to present both the Heroic Intervention Award and Critical Thinking Award, which highlight the unwavering commitment correctional professionals display toward the persons in their care,” says Jessica Young, Esq., President & CEO of ACH. “Together, we continue to demonstrate that with the right intervention, better outcomes are possible."
The award was presented on June 8, 2026. To date in 2026, three Heroic Intervention Awards and four Critical Thinking Awards have been presented.
About Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc.
Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. is a family-owned, values-led, contract management company that offers ethical, comprehensive services tailored to populations nationwide. ACH has been awarded two Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics, honored at Music City's Community Choice Awards for having the Best Employee Recognition Program, and named “Best Hospital & Health Care Business of the Year” in the Global 100 Awards for 2025 and 2026. In 2026, ACH was also certified as a Great Place to Work for the 11th consecutive year. In 2025, ACH saved over $16.8 million in taxpayer dollars through bill scrubbing. From 2020 to 2025, over 102% of contracted nursing hours were met nationwide, and more than 131 patient lives were saved. Learn more at advancedch.com.
