Several SDAHO member hospital CEOs were recently recognized in the latest Becker’s Hospital Review 80 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know. The list was developed to highlight top executives from rural hospitals in the country. Brendan Talian, the author of the review wrote: Rural hospitals are critical to the success of the U.S. healthcare system to expand access to care in remote areas. CEOs at the helm of these important community institutions have many responsibilities to make sure their hospitals thrive.
The executives featured on this list have put their heart and soul into ensuring their communities have access to the best healthcare services possible. While rural hospitals across the country have faced closure in recent years, these leaders have developed a model for not only surviving but thriving.
South Dakota’s CEO’s recognized include:
- Bryan Breitling. Administrator of Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital (Miller, S.D.). Mr. Breitling has shown impeccable leadership throughout Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital. The hospital has 25 staffed beds and newly renovated same-day surgery and recovery rooms.
- Jason Merkley. President and CEO of Brookings (S.D.).Health System. Mr. Merkley was appointed CEO of Brookings Health System in 2011. Before joining Brookings, Mr. Merkley served as manager of managed care services and care analyst of Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Avera Health. He has experience in leading both clinical and ancillary support departments and has overseen numerous construction projects.
- Natalie Gauer. Administrator of Milbank (S.D) Area Hospital Avera. Ms. Gauer became the hospital’s administrator in 2010. It aims to provide for the needs of the people in the Milbank region with quality, cost-effective, accessible healthcare services, featuring the latest technology.
- Paulette Davidson. President and CEO of Monument Health (S.D.). Hospital. Ms. Davidson has been with Monument Health since 2015. She was previously the health system’s COO. She is credited with initiating a $350 million project to expand several services at the hospital, including primary care, emergency services and hospital bed capacity.
Click here to read the complete article and view the list of recognized CEO’s from across the country.
