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Brookings Health System
Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting
September 25, 2023
The Brookings Health System Board of Trustees held a meeting on September 25, 2023, at the Brookings
Hospital in the Board Room with the following members present: Dick Peterson, Sheila Anderson, Lynn
Darnall (via WebEx), Andrew Ellsworth, Don Greiner, Mary Anne Krogh, David Meyer, and Jim Morgan
Ex-officio: Bonny Specker and Ryan Krogman
Absent: Tracy Greene
Management Present: Jason Merkley, CEO; Tammy Hillestad, CNO; Melissa Wagner, CFO and Sheri
Wiig, recorder
President Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
AGENDA
A motion was made by Morgan, seconded by Ellsworth to approve the agenda. All present voted in favor;
motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Krogh, seconded by Greiner to approve the following consent agenda items:
August 28, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting minutes, August financials, adjustments and payables. Total
payables for August were $2,524,166.97. All present voted in favor; motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Articles of interest included: “50 Years of Treating Patients, Training Doctors”, Midwest Medical Edition
and “Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and
Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting”, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS).
Merkley introduced guest/observer Jennifer Chandler, Supply Chain Director, who is working towards
her Master’s in nursing administration at SDSU. Tammy Hillestad, Chief Nursing Officer, is taking on the
role of nurse preceptor to help Chandler complete one of her final requirements. As a nurse preceptor,
Hillestad will support, teach and mentor Chandler over a twelve-week period.
REPORTS
Executive Reports
CEO Report
Merkley noted although the COVID-19 pandemic is over, there has been a resurgence of the virus within
our population and some staff. Reminders were sent to staff on proper infection protocols and processes to
follow. The updated COVID-19 vaccine for fall/winter 2023 will be available very soon and is designed
to target the variants currently circulating. Merkley also shared Alexa Williams was selected by SDSU’s
Athletic Department as this year’s recipient of the Brookings Health System Health Professions
Scholarship in SDSU Athletics. Williams is majoring in Community & Public Health.
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CFO Report
Wagner provided an update on Medicaid Expansion and State of SD processes regarding claim submittal
for newly eligible patients enrolled in Medicaid as of July 1. Brookings Health has 18 Medicaid
Expansion patients with 55 claims to submit so far YTD since July.
CNO Report
Hillestad shared orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Dressander, will be onsite for orientation on October 18.
The surgical team is preparing equipment and supply needs for smooth onboarding within the operating
room.
Board Committee Reports
Administrative Committee Meeting
Board Secretary, Darnall provided a report; the Administrative Committee met on September 19. Topics
of discussion included Meditech Expanse/Avera/Workday, Employee Engagement and Culture Survey,
Plant Operations/Expenses, Yorkshire Medical Building, BHS Insurance, Health Plan/Open Enrollment,
BHS’s Strategic Plan, FY24 Capital Budget, Medicare & Medicaid Minimum Staffing Standards and
SDSMA Physicians Well-Being Program/Health Leadership Institute.
Finance Committee
Committee Chair, Anderson provided a report; the Finance Committee met on September 19. The
committee reviewed and approved the payables, financials and adjustments for August. Total salaries and
wages for August were $2,521,281.
Quality Committee
Committee Chair, Krogh provided a report; the Quality Committee met on September 19. Karen Weber,
Emergency Department Director, presented an update on behavioral health initiatives taking place at the
local and statewide level. Other topics of discussion included reports on Patient Safety, Patient
Experience, and Pay for Performance Programs.
NEW BUSINESS
2024 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference
Merkley informed members the American Hospital Association (AHA) Rural Health Care Leadership
Conference will be held February 11-14, 2024, in Orlando and encouraged them to attend if schedules
allow.
Brookings Health System Strategic Plan 2023 – 2026
Merkley presented the strategic plan in its new placemat format. All pillar goals with their corresponding
objectives and key activities have been updated and will be reviewed three (3) times per year with the
Board.
Upon motion by Meyer, second by Anderson, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Lynn Darnall, Secretary