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Brookings Health System Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting
Monday, February 24, 2025
The Brookings Health System Board of Trustees held a meeting at the Brookings Hospital in the Board
Room with the following members present: Lynn Darnall, Mary Anne Krogh, David Meyer, Sheila
Anderson (ph.), Jenn Barlund, Shelby Eischens, Tracy Greene, Don Greiner, and David Jones (ph.).
Ex-officio: Andrew Rasmussen, Brianna Doran and Kelly Vanderwall (in place of Dave Miller)
Management Present: Jason Merkley, CEO; Tammy Hillestad, CNO; Melissa Wagner, CFO and Sheri
Wiig, recorder
President Darnall called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
AGENDA
A motion was made by Barlund, seconded by Meyer to approve the agenda. All present voted in favor;
motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Greiner to approve the following consent agenda items:
January 27, 2025, Board of Trustees meeting minutes and February 19, 2025 Medical Executive
Committee meeting minutes. All present voted in favor; motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Articles of interest included: “How Coach K Does It”, CEO Magazine; “State of the Industry Survey”,
Managed Healthcare Executive; and “10 Headwinds for Health Systems in 2025”, Becker’s Hospital
Review. Discussion was held on possible impacts and challenges the healthcare industry may be facing
with changes in federal administration.
REPORTS
Executive Reports
CEO Report
Merkley noted as part of the health system’s compensation plan, merit increases will be implemented in
March based on performance evaluations. It is meaningful to staff to receive 4%, an additional percent
from previous years. Secondly, the organization is rolling out an improved Years of Service program to
recognize and reward staff. The new program will focus on fostering a culture of appreciation and
retention through recognition and celebration.
CFO Report
Wagner provided a preliminary report on January financials. The Workday conversion for financials has
experienced delays, but preliminary numbers for January are positive. January payables, financials, and
adjustments will be shared in March along with February financials and our audit report from Eide Bailly.
CNO Report
Hillestad noted the Emergency Department experienced high patient volumes, impacting inpatient
admissions. ED visits in January totaled 982 compared to 865 in January of 2024. Hillestad also noted
two (2) directors announced they will be retiring in June 2025. Surgical Services director, Terri
Stauffacher, will be retiring after 29 years of service and Ambulance director, Gordon Dekkenga, will be
retiring after 15 years of service. Recruitment for their replacements is underway.
2
Board Committee Reports
Administrative Committee Meeting
President Darnall provided a report; the Administrative Committee met on February 18th. Topics of
discussion included Yorkshire Medical Building, Workday/Epic, Legislative Update, BEDC/Chamber
Merger, Mandatory Staffing Rule, NPHN Speaker-Governance, and Investment Authority Annual
Review.
Quality Committee
Committee Chair Krogh provided a report; the Quality Committee met on February 18th. Environmental
Services Director, Dave Doremus, presented information on a performance improvement project focusing
on improved facility cleaning practices. Other topics of discussion included Promoting Interoperability,
Electronic Clinical Quality Measure, 2024 Medical Staff Peer Review, Hospital/NBV Falls & Medication
Errors and an announcement that Brookings Health was selected for the 10th consecutive year as one of
the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States.
NEW BUSINESS
Medical Staff Credentialing
A motion was made by Eischens, seconded by Meyer to approve all credentialing as recommended by the
Medical Executive Committee. All present voted in favor; motion carried. Eischens abstained from the
vote.
Upon motion by Greene, second by Eischens, the meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________________
Mary Anne Krogh, Secretary