Avera Health Announces Board Appointments
Avera Health announces appointments to its Board of Directors for its new fiscal year which began July 1, 2025.
Lori Essig remains board chair, serving a two-year term that runs through June 30, 2026. She 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. “It’s my privilege to work together with board members and Avera leadership to enhance excellence, innovation and growth at Avera.”
Doneen Hollingsworth of Pierre, SD, remains 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, Michele Knife Sterner of Marshall, MN. Knife Sterner is associate director of South Minnesota State University’s Access Opportunities for Success (AOS) program and coordinator of the AOS Summer Bridge orientation at SMSU. She holds a degree in cultural anthropology with a minor in American Indian studies from Moorhead State University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree through University of Minnesota in youth community and family education.
Outgoing board members are Sr. Mary Jaeger and Clark Sinclair.
“We thank Lori Essig for her continued 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, Michele Knife Sterner, and thank Clark Sinclair and Sr. Mary Jaeger for their service on the board. 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.”
