Avera Health Announces Board Appointments
Avera Health announces appointments to its Board of Directors for its new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024.
Lori Essig is the incoming board chair, serving a two-year term that runs through June 30, 2026. She served as vice chair last year and has been a board member since 2019.
Essig is retired from her role of 18 years as Vice President of Marketing and Communications of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD. She has served on boards including the Mitchell Area Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce, Avera Queen of Peace Hospital and Abbott House. She now makes her home in Sioux Falls.
“The Avera Health Board is an excellent opportunity to impact many lives, and I’m honored to serve in this leadership role,” Essig said. “I look forward to working together with board members and Avera leadership to enhance excellence, innovation and growth at Avera.”
Doneen Hollingsworth of Pierre, SD, has been named vice chair. Hollingsworth is retired Secretary of Health for the state of South Dakota and held other roles in state government. She has served on the South Dakota Board of Nursing and the boards of Capital Area Counseling Services and Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area. She joined the Avera board in 2019.
The Avera Health Board welcomes new board member, Jacquelyn Johnson. Johnson is a financial advisor with Dice Financial Services Group in Mitchell. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Kansas and bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Dakota. She is on the board at Dakota Wesleyan University, United Way and Abbott House Foundation, and is a University of South Dakota Foundation Trustee.
Outgoing board member is Wayne Kindle, PhD, Superintendent of the Yankton School District. Luis Rojas, MD, completed his term as board chair and will remain as a board member throughout his term ending June 30, 2026.
“We thank Lori Essig for her leadership as board chair and appreciate the perspective she brings as a leader in higher education, especially as we continue to seek ways to develop our workforce. We also thank Doneen Hollingsworth for the leadership and guidance she brings from her wealth of experience to the vice chair role,” said Jim Dover, FACHE, President and CEO of Avera Health. “We welcome new board member, Jacquelyn Johnson, and thank Dr. Wayne Kindle for his service on the board, as well as Dr. Rojas for his service as board chair. Avera truly benefits from experienced leaders such as these, and we appreciate their willingness to share their time and talents to benefit Avera staff, patients and their families.”
