Avera McKennan Announces Board Appointments

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center announces appointments to its Board of Trustees for its new fiscal year which began July 1, 2023.

Tom Biegler continues as board chair and Pat Costello as vice chair.

A native of Aberdeen and resident of Sioux Falls, Biegler is President and CEO of Regency Hotel Management. He currently serves on the Avera Heart Hospital Board, the South Dakota Tourism Advisory Board and The Country Club of Sioux Falls Board in addition to his work with the Avera McKennan Board of Trustees.  He had previously served on the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Board. He holds a degree from Northern State University.

Costello is President/CEO of Schoeneman’s Building Materials Center in Sioux Falls and has served as Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Sioux Falls City Councilor. He is past chair of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board Executive Committee and holds a degree from Arizona State University.

New Board Members

• Jennifer Bunkers is a partner at Redstone Law Firm and has 17 years of experience in law, with previous experience in health care billing and reimbursement. She holds a law degree from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law and bachelor’s degree from the University of Sioux Falls. She has served as chair of the Avera Foundation Board and chair of the board of directors for Volunteers of America – Dakotas Foundation, Inc.
• Sr. Candyce Chrystal of Yankton, S.D., is also joining the Avera Health Board of Directors. Sr. Chrystal has taught for over 30 years at Mount Marty University in Yankton and previously taught in elementary schools. A member of the Benedictine Sisters, she holds a bachelor’s degree in music and education from Mount Marty as well as master’s and doctorate degrees in educational psychology from Marquette University in Milwaukee.
• Dr. Brenda Kallemeyn is an OB-GYN specialist with Avera Medical Group in Sioux Falls and has over 20 years of experience in medical practice. She is incoming chief of the medical staff at Avera McKennan and was previously vice chief of staff. She is a clinical professor for the USD Sanford School of Medicine. She holds a medical and undergraduate degrees from USD and completed residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita.
• Jeff Gordon is incoming regional philanthropy council chair. Gordon started his career in 2007 at Merrill Lynch after serving as a congressional staffer for former South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow. He has been at IFAM Capital since its inception in 2014 and is a graduate of the University of South Dakota.

Avera McKennan thanks outgoing board members, Dr. Jared Friedman, Sr. Carmella Luke, Mary Dally and Hugh Venrick. Dr. Friedman is outgoing chief of the medical staff. Both Dally and Venrick served as chair and vice chair during their years of service on the Avera McKennan Board of Trustees. Venrick also served for seven years on the Avera McKennan Foundation Board.

“Service on the Board of Trustees is an important aspect of the Avera Health ministry. People from within our organization and the greater community bring their talents and experience together to provide guidance and direction,” said Dr. Ron Place, Regional President and CEO of Avera McKennan. “Avera McKennan patients, families and staff ultimately benefit from the insights they share and we are so grateful for their service.”