Altru Health System Adds Board Member, Names New Board Chair
Altru Health System is pleased to announce the appointment of Renard Bergstrom of Devils Lake to its Board of Directors, along with other board leadership transitions.
Sanford Bismarck CEO Todd Schaffer Promoted to Brigadier General
Sanford Bismarck President & CEO, Todd Schaffer, M.D., has been selected for promotion to Brigadier General and appointed to serve as Assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel & Readiness (OUSW(P&R)), a senior military leadership position responsible for advising on Reserve component medical readiness, mobilization and health support policy across the Department of War.
Sanford Health Watertown Welcomes Two New Physical Therapists
Sanford Health Watertown is excited to welcome Physical Therapists Jett McGirr, DPT, and Lauren Lenards, PT, to the Sanford Watertown Rehabilitation and Therapy family.
Walipawn Schroeder Earns Avera Queen of Peace DAISY Award
Avera Queen of Peace Hospital is pleased to announce that Walipawn Schroeder, RN is the most recent recipient of its quarterly nurse recognition program called the DAISY Award.
Roger Reamer Announces Retirement as CEO of Memorial Health Care Systems
After more than 26 years of dedicated leadership, Memorial Health Care Systems (MHCS) CEO Roger J. Reamer has announced his plans to retire from his position in the spring of 2027.
USD Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Madison Lindsey
Madison Lindsey knew nothing about Applied Behavior Analysis when she started her career in education. She found her way to it by doing what already came naturally.
SDSMA Member Spotlight: Emily Eisenbraun
Name: Emily Eisenbraun
Class of 2027, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
SDSMA member since: 2023
What specialty(ies) are you currently considering and why? I will be applying for a dermatology residency this fall. I chose dermatology because of the meaningful, longitudinal relationships and ability to care for individuals in all stages of life. My passion for this specialty has also been shaped significantly by dermatology mentors in my hometown of Rapid City, South Dakota.
Avera Named to Forbes' Best-In-State Employers 2026 for South Dakota
Avera Health has been named on the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2026 for South Dakota. Avera ranks third on the list and is the first ranking health care system.
Steve Schieber Named President of CHI Health Good Samaritan
Steve Schieber, MBA, FACMPE, FACHE, has been appointed as the new president of CHI Health Good Samaritan, having served in an interim capacity since January. In this new dual leadership role, he will also continue to serve as president of CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.
CHI Health Names Jake McCarty President of CUMC-Bergan Mercy
CHI Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jake McCarty, MPH, MPA, as the next president of CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy. McCarty brings nearly 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, most recently serving as chief operating officer of Kaiser Permanente’s San Leandro Medical Center in California.
Leigh-Anne Lehmann Named LRHC's 2026 Caring Kind Award Recipient
Lexington Regional Health Center (LRHC) is proud to announce that Leigh-Anne Lehmann, PA-C, has been selected as the organization’s 2026 Caring Kind Award recipient, recognizing her outstanding compassion, service excellence, teamwork, and dedication to patients and colleagues.
Dr. Gemechu Ayana Joins Essentia Health Fargo as Hospitalist
Essentia Health-Fargo is proud to welcome hospitalist Dr. Gemechu Ayana.
“I was drawn to Essentia Health because of its strong reputation for patient-centered care, collaborative team culture and commitment to serving both urban and rural communities,” explained Dr. Ayana. “The opportunity to practice in Fargo, in particular, appealed to me due to the balance of high-quality clinical practice, supportive work environment and the ability to make a meaningful impact on a growing community.”
Dr. Rushana Manatova Joins Essentia Health Fargo as Hospitalist
Essentia Health-Fargo is proud to welcome hospitalist Dr. Rushana Manatova.
“I chose to join Essentia Health because of the strong sense of collaboration and the genuine care the organization shows for its employees,” said Dr. Manatova. “I was also drawn to Essentia’s values of teamwork, joy and respect, all of which closely align with my own values.”
Healthcare Skeptic Mike Peyton Becomes RMC's Biggest Advocate
Known by his family as fiercely independent and beautifully stubborn, Manchester native Mike Peyton spent most of his life avoiding doctors and hospital visits. Yet, in his final days, the lifelong skeptic underwent a complete transformation, becoming one of Regional Medical Center’s (RMC) most passionate local advocates.
Dr. Kip Anderson Joins Columbus Community Hospital Board
Columbus Community Hospital welcomed Dr. Kip Anderson to its board of directors as of Aug. 1, 2026.
Sanford Fargo's Tiffany Lawrence Named Top Community Hospital CEO
Becker’s Hospital Review has named Sanford Fargo president and CEO Tiffany Lawrence to the 2026 edition of its community hospital CEOs to know.
Community Hospital Welcomes Behavioral Health Provider Farrah Stunkel
Community Hospital is pleased to welcome Farrah Stunkel, LIMHP, to its Behavioral Health team. Farrah provides counseling services for patients ages 12 and older and treats a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and substance use disorders.
Lexington Regional's Brenna Bartruff Named SHSMD Rising Star
Lexington Regional Health Center (LRHC) is proud to announce that Brenna Bartruff, Chief Communications Officer, has been selected as a member of the prestigious 2026 Class of Rising Stars by the Society for Health Care Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD).
Sports-Crazy Bettendorf Boy Progresses With MercyOne Genesis
MercyOne Genesis Home Runs for Life honoree Hayden Bancroft, 6-years-old of Bettendorf, will be honored during the Quad Cities River Bandits game Friday, August 14.
SDAHO's Michelle Jury Appointed to National Quality Measurement Committee
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is pleased to announce that Michelle Jury, BSN, RN, CPHQ, Clinical Improvement Consultant, has been appointed to the Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) Endorsement and Maintenance Primary Prevention Committee—a prestigious national volunteer role that helps shape the future of health care quality measurement across the United States.