SDAHO Affiliate Awards

2016 winners

AHA Grassroots Champion Award – Tim Tracy, CEO, Sanford Vermillion Medical Center

Tim has served as a health care administrator in South Dakota and North Dakota since 1983. He has been the Chief Executive Officer of Sanford Vermillion Medical Center since April 2004. Mr. Tracy is an ordained Deacon for the Catholic Diocese of Eastern South Dakota currently serving at St. Agnes Parish & School in Vermillion while assisting with several Diocesan-wide assignments. He currently serves as a Chairman for the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations Board of Directors.


AHAPAC Most Valuable Player SDAHO 2015 – Dr. David Kapaska, President, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

Dr. Kapaska is the C.E.O. and Regional President of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls. After spending ten years in family practice, Dr. Kapaska assumed various hospital administrative roles. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical officer at Avera McKennan. He is the 16th administrator in the 100-year history of Avera McKennan.


AHA 25 Year Membership Plaque 2016 – Region 6 – Marshall County Healthcare Center Avera


AHA 50 Year Membership Plaque 2016 – Region 6 – Avera Gregory Hospital, Spearfish Regional Hospital and Avera Weskota Memorial Hospital


ACHE Regents Awards – Senior Level Executive – Mark Burket, Administrator/CEO, Platte Health Center Avera
Mark has been with Platte Health Center/Avera since 1996, serving as CEO. He obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota. As a 25-year member of ACHE, Mark is known for his knowledge of rural health care serving on many local, state and national councils. Mark is a well-respected health care leader and had made it is his personal mission to ensure health care services are viable in a rural setting.


ACHE Regents Awards – Early Careerist – Erica Peterson, Senior Director, Sanford Chamberlain

Erica has been with Sanford Chamberlain since 2005 serving as CFO for 7 years and in her current role as Senior Director for 4 years. She obtained an undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State and graduate degree from the University of South Dakota. Erica is known for her can-do attitude, community involvement and trustworthy leadership amongst those she serves.


LifeSource South Dakota Hospital Partner Award – Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

Avera McKennan fulfilled the promise of donation for nine organ donors and 10 tissue donors last year, and in the first half of 2016 achieved an 80% authorization rate. Avera McKennan once again achieved Gold Recognition by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Workplace Partnership for Life Campaign to promote awareness of the importance of organ, tissue and eye donation. Avera McKennan is the only hospital in South Dakota that has created a Wall of Heroes to honor organ, tissue and eye donors. A hallmark of Avera McKennan’s donation program is strong administrative support, which paves the way for a culture of donation throughout the hospital. Thank you for embracing organ and tissue donation and transplantation.


LifeSource Excellence in Donation Award – Sanford Children’s Hospital

Four years ago, Sanford Children’s Hospital demonstrated their ongoing care and commitment to offering families donation opportunities through the development of a custom timeline for the Donation of Circulatory Death process. Their intent was to design a smooth process meeting the needs of families and staff members. This year, they were able to utilize this process and offer the hope and healing of donation to two families after circulatory death in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Sanford Children’s achieve the new Platinum Recognition in the Workplace Partnership for Life Campaign, the highest level of recognition for promoting awareness of the importance of organ, tissue and eye donation. Thank you for innovative and strong support of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.


LifeSource Excellence in Partnership Award – SDAHO

LifeSource is very proud to present this award to the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations who has continued to model leadership in demonstrating commitment to organ, eye and tissue donation. Their significant efforts through the Workplace Partnership for Life Hospital Campaign included promoting engaging donation registration drives, radio interviews, magazine articles and a multitude of events to raise awareness and register donors within hospital and local communities throughout South Dakota.

Congratulations on achieving the highest Platinum Recognition in this year’s Workplace Partnership for Life Campaign, and thank you, South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organization and members, for your dedication to fulfilling donor wishes, and providing hope and healing to donor families and those awaiting the gift of life. We are grateful for your continued and exceptional partnership.


CLMA Siouxland Leadership Award – Rick Pudwill, Laboratory Manager, Sioux Falls Public Health

Sioux Falls Public Health Laboratory Manager Rick Pudwill oversees the clinical and public health laboratory services at four sites. He has successfully operated the lab for more than 10 years, consistently delivering high quality and efficient lab testing while continuing to look for improvements in technology and processes to improve the experiences and outcomes of the patients and clients served. Rick is highly committed to his professional organizations and routinely volunteers to provide education, outreach, and leadership to recruits and members of the profession.


SDAND Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year – Whitney Jerman, MS, RD, LN, Health and Wellness Program Manager, Midwest Dairy Council

Whitney is a Registered Dietitian and Health and Wellness Program Manager for Midwest Dairy Council where she supports such programs as Fuel Up to Play 60 in schools and serves as a liaison to health professionals across South Dakota. Whitney serves as spokesperson for the council, conducting television, print and radio interviews. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and serves as an active board member for the South Dakota affiliate of the organization. Prior to joining Midwest Dairy Council, Whitney worked as a clinical dietitian.


SDAND Outstanding Dietitian of the Year – April Sorensen, RD, LN, Wellness/Education Coordinator, Faulkton Area Medical Center

April is a Dietitian and Wellness/Education Coordinator for Faulkton Area Medical Center who also owns and operates Nutrition & Fitness Solutions, a dietetic consulting business to 3 long-term care facilities and 3 Critical Access Hospitals. Sorensen keeps busy teaching an average of 12 classes per week and is a certified Group Exercise Instructor, Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, American Heart Association CPR and First Aid Instructor and American Cancer Society Smoking Cessation Counselor. Sorensen is a Dietetic Preceptor for both the Iowa State and South Dakota State University Dietetics Internship and is involved in numerous community organizations.


SDAND Emerging Dietetic Leader – Lisa Stark, RD, LN, CDE, CNSE, Clinical Dietitian, Sanford Health USD Medical Center

Lisa is a Clinical Dietitian for Sanford Health USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. She covers primarily the critical care units as well as medical surgery and reliefs in most all areas as needed. She enjoys being involved and is a member of the employee wellness committee and recognition committee. Lisa has also served as the South Dakota Academy’s president, which has been a very fulfilling experience because of the networking and leadership skills gained from working with the Board of Directors and membership.


SDAHA Auxilian of the Year – Sue Whitford, Sturgis Regional Hospital Auxiliary

Sue has been an active member of the Sturgis Regional Hospital Auxiliary for nearly 8 years. She demonstrates true leadership and dedication to the organization, serving in many capacities including treasurer, vice president and president. She has been an integral part of the success of several auxiliary events including blood drives, the annual fall festival and many, many fundraisers.


SDAHA Auxiliary of the Year – Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center Auxiliary

The Clear Lake auxiliary has an impressive 91 members, receiving a great deal of support from the community. Successful fundraisers include the annual soup day, Christmas goodie sales and noon lunches served to local industries. Auxilians have also donated their time by washing windows at the nursing home, calling bingo, hosting the Easter egg hunt for local children, creating holiday tray favors, and sponsoring scholarships to local high school students.


SDAHMPR Bright Idea Award – Sanford Health Communication Plan for Sanford Research Appearance at the Vatican

Sanford Health presented their clinical work and research in cell therapy, immunotherapy and genomic medicine at the International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine & Its Cultural Impact at the Vatican. Staff presented their work at the conference and our story was featured on Good Morning America and other news sites. Over 20 stories were posted on Sanford’s Facebook page promoting different aspects of the event, reaching 33,000 impressions. Our top tweet of the year was the Good Morning America teaser with 28,000 impressions. The story received coverage in almost every state and had more than 350 news clips.


SDAHQ Quality Professional of the Year – Shelly Clauson, BSN, RN, CRRN-BC, Performance Improvement Coordinator, Sanford Health

Shelly has been a Performance Improvement Coordinator in the Quality & Patient Safety Department at Sanford Health for three years. Over her 35-year career in nursing and health care, she has held many nursing and leadership positions in long-term care, inpatient and ambulatory settings. Shelly has been an active member of SDAHQ (sa – day – q) for several years and is known for her patient advocacy and for her kindness. In 2016, Shelly held the position of President-Elect and the organization is fortunate to have her in the position of President for 2017.


SDHIMA Distinguished Member Award and SDHIMA Honorable Mention – Coding Round Table Coordinator of Excellence – Linda Parks, Associate Professor, Dakota State University

Linda, Associate Professor in the H.I.M. programs at Dakota State University, participated in and coordinated several educational opportunities and combined efforts with other health care organizations by increasing the knowledge of the newly implemented I.C.D.-10 code sets. Before coming to D.S.U. in 2010, Linda was the Health Information Technology Program Director at Darton College in Albany, Georgia. She is a registered health information technician, a certified coding specialist and a certified tumor registrar, and she has been an American H.I.M.A.-certified I.C.D.-10 trainer since 2011. Linda could not be with us today, but please join me in applauding her accomplishments.


SDHIMA State Advocacy Award in Leadership and SDHIMA Past President’s Award – Katherine Andersen, Administrator of HIM Operations, DT-Trak Consulting

Kathy, Administrator of H.I.M. Operations for D,T,-Trak Consulting, has more than 33 years of experience in the health care industry, working directly with physicians, nursing and staff in the development of guidelines, educational tools and software implementation to achieve proper reimbursement for services provided. Kathy is a Registered Health Information Technician, and she is the first in South Dakotan to serve Board i-Certified in Advanced Coding (Inpatient and Outpatient) through The Board of Advanced Coding.


SDHIMSS Chapter Leader Award – Bobbi Jean Jarvinen, Assistant Director of IT Operations, Regional Health

Bobbi Jean is the never afraid to take on new challenges, and the role of president is one of them. Throughout her tenure leading South Dakota HIMSS (hims), she helped raise membership to 400 members statewide. Her dedication to the organization and its structure has helped formed many of the policies held today, and she has been instrumental in ensuring that the chapter’s budget and bylaws are updated accordingly to reflect the growth and vision of the organization. Her work with the Great Plains chapter of HIMSS (hims) helped create a successful Nursing Informatics Bootcamp held near Deadwood.


SDHIMSS Chapter Achievement Award – Marcine Forrette, Clinical Informatics Project Manager for Meaningful Use, Sanford Health

Marcine, the Clinical Informatics Project Manager for Meaningful Use for Sanford Health Information Technology department, has been involved in the South Dakota HIMSS (hims) organization for several years as a member of the Program Committee. She has assisted in coordinating great presentations and arrangements for South Dakota HIMSS (hims) events, and she also participates in the board as the treasurer, doing a tremendous job developing processes and efficiently keeping the books. Her employment experience has been in both clinic and hospital settings and engagement with health care professionals at all levels of these organizational structures.


SDHFMA Founders Merit Series, Robert H. Reeves Silver Award (50 Points) – BJ Dvorak, President and Co-Founder, eProvider Solutions

B.J., the President and Co-Founder of e-Provider Solutions, serves on multiple health care boards and is involved in many organizations such as H.F.M.A., HIMSS (hims), AAHAM (ā – ham), and M.G.M.A. The commitment she gives to her clients and the health care industry has made her a well-respected, successful leader and a driving force in a constantly changing environment.


SDHFMA Founders Merit Series, Robert H. Reeves Silver Award (50 Points) – Matt McLeod, Executive Director of Client Relations, Credit Collections Bureau

Matt, the Executive Director of Client Relations with Credit Collections Bureau, has been an active member of the South Dakota H.F.M.A. since 2004. He has served on many committees, has been the sponsorship chair multiple times currently serves as a director on the Board of Officers.


SDHHRA Spirit of Service Award – Sean Bortnem, Radiology Manager, Sanford Chamberlain

Sean, Radiology Manager at Sanford Chamberlain, in many ways exceeds the challenging requirements and expectations for this award. Every day Sean demonstrates a commitment to the work of health and healing by delivering the highest quality of care. He is an outstanding professional, mentor, teacher and colleague. Sean keeps very busy running the radiology department, but still finds the time to volunteer as facility the Management of Aggressive Behavior instructor, provides CPR training and volunteers for Sanford Chamberlain community activities. Sean demonstrates an unwavering dedication to performance improvement. He consistently encourages co-workers to strive for creating a flawless patient experience.


SDHHRA Leadership Award – Lynne Hagen, Human Resources Officer, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

Lynne, Human Resources Officer at Avera McKennan, leads a department that has been regionally and nationally recognized as a Workplace Excellence Award-Large Employer by Sioux Empire Society of Human Resource Management and best employers for workers over age 50 by A.A.R.P. Lynne joined Avera McKennan as an H.R. representative in 1993. In her current position, she is the key leader for human resources activities specific to the Avera McKennan region, which employs approximately 6,600 in addition to 1,200 volunteers. Avera Regional President and CEO Dave Kapaska says Lynne is an absolute artist at digging into challenging personnel issues, working through a process with employees, and helping them feel like they experienced a good outcome.


SDHSWA Social Worker of the Year – Dallas Renli, Social Worker, Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center

Dallas, Social Worker at Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center, provides support for patients and families through many phases of the care process and is there to support nursing staff and other care team members as the need arises. Dallas does a great deal of work in discharge planning, and she spends time at Sanford Hiawatha Heights assisting living facility working with the residents to address whatever needs arise. She works passionately in different family situations with people who may have to make changes in their lives for which they might not be ready.


SDHSWA Distinguished Service Award – Karen Cordie, Social Worker, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System

Karen, who been employed by the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System in the Homeless Program since 2008, has consistently demonstrated social work values throughout her VA employment. Her commitment to clients is outstanding, and there have been many instances when she has chosen to work past her shift to ensure a veteran’s needs are met. Karen respects the right of veterans to self-determination and is always willing to help them identify and clarify their goals. Karen’s leadership is especially evident in developing the nation’s first Transition-In-Place Program, where veterans are allowed the opportunity to take over lease payments instead of moving out after using such VA services as substance abuse counseling or mental health services.


SDONE Leadership Award – Deb Fischer-Clemens, Vice President of Public Policy, Avera Health

Deb, Avera’s vice president of public policy, has served on the South Dakota Organization of Nurse Executives Board as the Public Policy Representative for the past 14 years. She provides state and national legislative updates at board meetings and to the membership through the quarterly newsletters and Annual Meeting. Deb educates members and connects groups with common interests to each other within her broad network, and she challenges nurse leaders to get involved. She is also an excellent role model for community involvement, serving on numerous boards, committees and task forces.