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Avera

Julie Lautt

CPA Julie Lautt will serve as the Interim President and CEO of Avera Health, while the search for the new President and CEO continues. Lautt assumed the role on August 5th. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Avera and will continue in her current role while serving as Interim. She has been with Avera for 24 years.

DAVID A. LEMPERLE

Avera Health Plans has named David A. Lemperle as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Deb Muller who is retiring. Lemperle began in his new role in early August. Lemperle has over 15 years of experience in healthcare and most recently served as the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for SelectHealth, a subsidiary of Intermountain Health Care, here he was responsible for leading six lines of business over a three-state geographic area.

Sheila Rigo

Nurse practitioner and Freeman native Sheila Rigo, FNP-C, has returned to Freeman Regional Health Services, where she worked from 2001 until 2019. She holds a master’s degree from Dakota Wesleyan University and worked most recently at the Avera Freestanding Emergency Department and AVEL eEmergency Telemedicine Service. Rigo will work in the Emergency Department.

Avera Cancer Institute in Sioux Falls has earned three-year accreditation through the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC). NAPRC is a new quality program of the American College of Surgeons that sets the standard for high-quality and multidisciplinary rectal cancer care. Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center is the only accredited hospital in the region, with the closest programs located in Des Moines and Minneapolis.

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center announces appointments to its Board of Trustees for its new fiscal year which began July 1st. New board members include Jennifer Bunkers, a partner at Redstone Law Firm, Sr. Candyce Chrystal, a member of the Benedicctice Sisters who has taught for over 30 years at Mount Marty University in Yankton, Ob/Gyn Dr. Brenda Kallemeyn with Avera Medical Group in Sioux Falls, and Jeff Gordon, who is incoming regional philanthropy council chair. Tom Biegler continues as board chair and Pat Costello as vice chair.

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Center has received certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center through DNV GL Healthcare. The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification is a three-year certification based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association. A Comprehensive Stroke Center is a facility that has the personnel, infrastructure and expertise to diagnose and treat stroke patients who require intensive medical and surgical care, specialized tests or interventional therapies.