The recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for Trustee is Ron Ingebrigtson, Chair of Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center (SCIMC) Board of Directors. Ron retired in 2017 from Johnson Feed, Inc. in Canton SD where he served as Controller.
Outside of Ron’s leadership position with the SCIMC and his professional career, Ron was a very active community volunteer. He spent 16 years on the volunteer fire department; 10 years as a volunteer EMT for the Canton-Inwood Ambulance, the board of directors for the local Love INC Chapter, a board member with the Canton Chamber of Commerce, 6 years with the Canton-Inwood Area Health Foundation board, in addition to several areas of leadership with his church. “I served on the SCIMC Board of Directors with Ron for several years. He was thoughtful, wise, steadfast, and unwavering in his loyalty to the Sanford Canton-Inwood Hospital and clinic and their role in the betterment of health living in the Canton and Inwood communities.”Arne Anderson, Pharmacist and Past SCIMC Board Member
Scott Larson, CEO of Sanford Health Canton-Inwood Medical Center says Ron has always been a very engaged board member. Part of Scott’s job is to bring the quality plan and annual hospital evaluation to the board for discussion and approval. “Ron always reviewed the material ahead of the scheduled meetings. Not only had he reviewed it but he would ask appropriate questions to make sure the facility was continually looking for ways to improve upon patient satisfaction, quality initiatives, staffing, and added services.” Scott Larson, CEO Sanford Health Canton-Inwood Medical Center.
Ron has served on both the Canton-Inwood Hospital and hospital foundation boards. During his time on the boards, he was instrumental in completing a $7.65 million dollar hospital expansion and renovation project. In addition, Ron helped in creating on average six $1000 scholarships per year for local students pursuing healthcare careers. Ron also disseminated on average $25,000 annually toward community grants aimed at enhancing health and wellness. “Ron has always been a huge advocate and promoter of our facility. He was a very active board member, always involved in fundraiser’s, helping at community benefits, providing support of new initiatives at the hospital which resulted in a new stress test machine, bone densitometry machine and the replacement of an ambulance.” – Scott Larson, CEO Sanford Health Canton-Inwood Medical Center
Those who have worked alongside Ron or have witnessed his volunteerism say he is a true leader that cares for his community and the people who live there. “I personally witnessed Ron’s caring and compassion for people as I assisted, driving the ambulance when Ron was the only person available to respond to a call. His personality and love of life shows in the way he interacts with people.” Sterling Heath, General Manager, Canton Home & Farm Supply, SCIMC Board Member
During the pandemic Ron was very mindful of the work the hospital was doing and always looked for ways to help support the workers at the facility. “He knew the job they were doing was stressful but vital for our community to come out of this thing stronger than before. He was instrumental in utilizing some of the Foundation funds to provide a stimulus check of our own to all of the employees at the hospital and clinics in Canton and Beresford.” Scott Larson, CEO Sanford Health Canton-Inwood Medical Center
Ron was born and raised in southeast South Dakota. He and his wife Jean have been married for 48 years, they have one daughter who lives with her husband and two kids in the Dakota Dunes. They spend a lot of time running around to numerous activities of their two grandchildren.
Congratulations Ron Ingebrigtson for receiving the 2021 SDAHO Trustee Distinguished Service Award.
