Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States, is dedicated to the integrated delivery of health care, genomic medicine, senior care and services, global clinics, research and affordable insurance. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization includes 44 hospitals, 1,400 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and nine countries.

Hospital

Sanford Health

Nathan Peterson serves as [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s executive vice president and chief strategy and development officer, overseeing [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) Plan and the system’s strategic planning, enterprise project management, data analytics, digital strategy, marketing, philanthropy and corporate governance functions.

Peterson began his career at [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2010 and has held multiple positions, including director of legislative affairs and enterprise vice president of marketing. Prior to joining [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health), he was the managing director of a national political consulting and issues management firm based in Sioux Falls.

A retired member of the South Dakota Air National Guard who served in the military for more than 20 years, Peterson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master of Business Administration, both from the [University of South Dakota](/org/university-of-south-dakota).

Nathan Peterson

Lauris Molbert is a trustee at [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health). Lauris has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including as Chief Executive Officer of TMI Hospitality, and in venture capitalism as a Venture Partner at [Arthur Ventures](/org/arthur-ventures). Lauris also has experience on various boards, including the [University of North Dakota](/org/university-of-north-dakota) Alumni Association and UND Foundation, and Otter Tail Corporation.

Lauris Molbert attended the [University of North Dakota](/org/university-of-north-dakota), where they obtained a BABS in Banking & Finance and Accounting. They then attended the [University of North Dakota](/org/university-of-north-dakota) School of Law, where they obtained a Juris Doctor in Law.

Lauris Molbert

Marnie Herrmann is a trustee at [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health). Marnie previously served on the board of directors for Black Hills Works and the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. Herrmann has been dedicated to promoting a strong business climate in the Black Hills and enhancing the quality of life for members. Marnie is a passionate advocate for business growth in the Rapid City Area.

Marnie Herrmann has a diploma from the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking and a certificate in executive leadership from The Wharton School. Marnie also has a BA in journalism from the [University of Oregon](/org/university-of-oregon).

Marnie Herrmann

Donald Jacobs has been a Vice Chair at [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) since January 2018. Prior to that, they were a Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church from January 2017 to January 2018. Donald has also worked as a Diaconal Minister at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Monticello from April 2011 to September 2015.

Donald Jacobs attended Luther Seminary and earned their Master of Arts in Congregational & Community Care.

Donald Jacobs

Andy North is currently the Secretary at Sanford Health. Prior to this, they worked as the Regional Desk & North Dakota GOTV State Director for Obama for America from March 2007 to February 2008. Andy also worked as the Direct Marketing Manager for Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation from January 2013 to February 2014. North was also a Partner at Ground-Game, Inc from December 2010 to December 2012 and an Associate Consultant at Hildebrand Strategies from February 2009 to December 2010. Additionally, they worked as the Field Director for U.S. Senator Tim Johnson Re-Election Campaign from March 2008 to November 2008. North's earliest work history includes working as the Administrative Vice President for South Dakota Farmers Union from May 2005 to November 2006.

Andy North has a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from [South Dakota State University](/org/south-dakota-state-university) and an MBA with a marketing emphasis from the [University of Sioux Falls](/org/university-of-sioux-falls).

Andy North

Deb Koski is the current Chief Philanthropy Officer at [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health). Prior to their current position, they served as Campaign Director at Sioux Empire [United Way](/org/united-way) from May 1999 to September 2004, where they were responsible for directing all fund development activities, leading volunteer recruitment and training, speaking to individuals and groups about [United Way](/org/united-way), and developing and executing an annual fundraising strategy. During their tenure, they exceeded fundraising goals each year, raising an average of $7M per year and $35M total.

Before Sioux Empire [United Way](/org/united-way), Deb Koski worked as a Project Manager at SONIFI (formerly LodgeNet Interactive Corporation) from July 1997 to May 1999, where they were responsible for task management of several simultaneous projects related to internet technology development, including managing resources and schedule timelines and presenting finished product designs to company’s top executives.

Prior to their work in internet technology, Deb Koski worked as a Technical Writer at CNA Surety (formerly Western Surety Company) from August 1992 to July 1997.

Deb Koski has a BA in Mass Communication/Media Studies from the [University of South Dakota](/org/university-of-south-dakota). Deb also has a certificate of completion from the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at [Augustana University](/org/augustana-university) (SD) and a Non-Profit Management Certification from the Wisconsin School of Business. Additionally, they are certified by CFRE International as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).

Some of their coworkers include Matt Hocks - EVP, COO, Kent Lehr - Chief Business Development Officer, and Steve Young - President, Sanford Sports. Their manager is Bill Gassen, President & CEO.

Deb Koski

Brad Schipper serves as president of Sanford Health’s Virtual Care Initiative, a key part of the system’s driving aspiration to become the premier rural health system in the United States. Schipper oversees the program’s goals, strategy, performance and integration.

Schipper has more than 25 years of experience in health care operations, including 12 years as chief operating officer and vice president in Sanford’s Sioux Falls market, and further experience as executive director, regional executive and divisional executive at St. Luke’s Health System in Idaho. He most recently served as executive vice president of health care operations for SRP Environmental and as president and CEO of Proven Healthcare Consulting & Services. He holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota.

In addition to his work with Sanford Health, Schipper is a LEAN Six Sigma facilitator and serves as president of the board for the Eastern South Dakota Red Cross. 

Brad Schipper

Steve Young, president of Sanford Sports, oversees [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s expanding portfolio of services and facilities designed to develop and better understand today’s athlete through health services, training programs and research.

Sanford Sports includes the Sanford Sports Complex, Sanford POWER training, Sanford POWER academies, Sanford POWER Physical Therapy and the Sanford Sports Science Institute.

Young re-joined [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2017 as senior executive director of the system’s orthopedics and sports medicine service line. A physical therapist by trade, he practiced with Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine from 2009 to 2013. Outside of [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health), Young has held various leadership and physical therapy roles at clinics in Sioux Falls and Illinois.

A native of Custer, South Dakota, Young received his bachelor’s and Master of Physical Therapy degrees from the [University of South Dakota](/org/university-of-south-dakota). He is also fellowship trained through the Gray Institute and a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Young and his wife, Tara, have four children.

Steve Young

Brad Reimer serves as [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s chief information officer, responsible for all technology systems including patient-critical applications like Epic, Cloverleaf and Sectra PACS; business solutions like Workday, ServiceNow and productivity applications; and information security.

In his time at [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health), Reimer has revamped the information security program; renewed the department’s focus on efficiencies, contracts and quality; and successfully positioned the system’s technical infrastructure for stability, agility and nimbleness, a critical component for success during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to joining Sanford in 2017, Reimer held leadership positions at DocuTAP and [Wells Fargo](/org/wells-fargo).

Reimer holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the [University of South Dakota](/org/university-of-south-dakota). He and his wife, Salena, have three children.

Brad Reimer

Corey Brown, vice president of government affairs for [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health), oversees the organization’s public policy activities at the state and federal levels.

A former South Dakota state senator and native of Gettysburg, Brown represented District 23 from 2009 to 2016, serving as majority leader, president pro tempore, assistant majority leader and chairman of the appropriations committee. He was actively involved in shaping policy related to Native American health, primary care, emergency medical services and medical licensing.

Brown joined [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2018 after working with his family owned insurance agency and serving as executive director of the Gettysburg/Whitlock Bay Development Corporation. He also spent a decade in the United States Navy, where he was an aviator and flight instructor and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander.

Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in government and international relations from the [University of Notre Dame](/org/university-of-notre-dame) and a master’s in international business from the [University of San Diego](/org/university-of-san-diego).

He lives in Sioux Fall with his wife, Karen, and their four children.

Corey Brown

Robb Schlimgen, vice president and chief compliance officer for [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health), oversees the organization’s compliance and privacy programs.

Schlimgen previously advised [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) leadership on employment law issues and handled legal and compliance affairs for [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) Plan. Prior to joining [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2016, he clerked for the South Dakota Supreme Court and and worked in private practice.

Schlimgen holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and accounting from the [University of South Dakota](/org/university-of-south-dakota) and a law degree from the University Minnesota School of Law.

He lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Mary, and their son.

Robb Schlimgen

Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, MD, offers his expertise in health care, government, technology and public health as a strategic advisor to [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health).

Shulkin is also a director on the Sanford International Board and serves as an ambassador for [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) for its many domestic and international projects.

Prior to serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Shulkin was the leader of the largest integrated health care system in the United States as the VA’s Under Secretary of Health. He has also served in CEO roles for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Temple University Hospital and the Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital.

Shulkin received his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and is a board-certified internist. He completed an internship at Yale University School of Medicine and a residency and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Medical Center.

David Shulkin

As president and chief executive officer, Bill Gassen is leading efforts to tackle some of medicine’s most challenging issues, including the state of global health, breast cancer, pediatric rare diseases and type 1 diabetes. At the same time, the organization is also advancing health care through its innovative integration of genomics into primary care, the creation of an expansive biobank and the exploration of the healing powers of immunotherapy and adipose stem cells.

Gassen began his career at [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2012 as corporate counsel and transitioned to the human resources department two years later as vice president of human resource integration and eventually became the chief human resources officer. In 2019, he was promoted to chief administrative officer with oversight of human resources, technology solutions, legal, facilities, business development and the Sanford Sports Complex.

Prior to joining [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health), Gassen spent several years in private legal practice. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a law degree, both from the [University of South Dakota](/org/university-of-south-dakota).

Gassen and his wife, Jill, have five children.

Bill Gassen

Hocks serves as [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s chief operating officer and is responsible for the successful planning and implementation of operational and strategic goals.

Hocks graduated from the [University of South Dakota](/org/university-of-south-dakota) in 2002 with a Master of Business Administration degree with a specialization in health services administration. He joined [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2004 and held various clinic director and vice president positions before assuming his current role in 2019.

Hocks and his wife, Rachel, live in Sioux Falls and have three children.

Matt Hocks

Michael LeBeau, MD, serves as [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s system vice president and chief administrative officer for the health services division.

LeBeau has been with [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) for more than 10 years and started with the organization as a nephrologist. Prior to his current role, he served on the [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) Board of Trustees,as vice president of clinics, and as president and CEO of the Bismarck region.

A graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, LeBeau completed his residency in internal medicine at Gunderson Lutheran Medical Foundation in La Crosse, Wis. He also completed a nephrology fellowship at the [University of Iowa](/org/university-of-iowa) and is board certified by the [American Board of Internal Medicine](/org/american-board-of-internal-medicine). He currently serves on the University of North Dakota Foundation Board of Directors and Bismarck State College Foundation Board.

LeBeau and his wife, Michelle, have five children.

Michael LeBeau

Susan Jarvis, president and CEO of Sanford Bemidji, oversees [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s Bemidji market in northern Minnesota.

Jarvis has held several executive leadership roles since joining [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2010. Prior to her promotion to the top post in Bemidji, she served as Sanford Fargo’s vice president of operations, helping open that region’s new $500 million medical center in 2017. Jarvis began her tenure with the organization as Fargo’s executive director of emergency and trauma services where she the led her facility to Level I Trauma designation.

Prior to [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health), Jarvis was the administrative director of emergency services for Mission Hospitals and Health System in Asheville, North Carolina.

Jarvis holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Saint Francis and a master’s degree in Nursing from the [University of Phoenix](/org/university-of-phoenix-inc).

She and her husband, Ed, live in Bemidji and have two grown daughters.

Susan Jarvis

As president and CEO of Sanford Sioux Falls, Paul Hanson leads [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s Sioux Falls market and network operations for facilities in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. He also works closely with enterprise resources to coordinate corporate initiatives with local operational priorities.

Hanson began his career with [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) at a managed facility in Watertown, South Dakota, in 2000. In 2011, he coordinated [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s merger with North Country Health Services in Bemidji, Minnesota. He served as the president of Sanford Bemidji from the time of the merger through 2013 and before being named president of Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

A graduate of [Concordia College](/org/concordia-college) in Moorhead, Minnesota, Hanson graduated with double majors in business administration with an emphasis in hospital administration and social work with an emphasis in long-term care administration. Hanson also holds a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Colorado.

Hanson has received the American College of Healthcare Executives Regent’s Award for Outstanding Healthcare Executive and is also a fellow in that organization.

Hanson currently serves on the boards of South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, the State of South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Discovery District, Forward Sioux Falls Economic Development and the Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary Club. He is also a member of special task forces associated with local economic development and [Augustana University](/org/augustana-university).

Hanson and his wife, Paige, have four children and two grandchildren.

Paul Hanson

John Snyder, president of [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) Plan, oversees all aspects of [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s insurance arm, which serves members in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota. He develops managed-care products, payment models and integrated service-delivery strategies.

Snyder has more than 40 years of experience in health care. Before assuming duties as [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) Plan’s top leader, he held dual roles as president and CEO of Health Alliance Medical Plans and executive vice president/system chief operating officer of Carle Health System. Snyder worked for Carle Health System for more than three decades in a variety of leadership positions in pharmacy, operations and health plan administration.

A native of Tennessee, Snyder holds a pharmacy degree from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and a Master of Business Administration from [Eastern Illinois University](/org/eastern-illinois-university). He also completed an executive fellowship program through [Northwestern University](/org/northwestern-university)’s Kellogg Executive Program.

John Snyder

Luis Garcia, MD, serves as the president of [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s clinic division, overseeing governance, mergers and acquisitions, and overall clinic integration.

Garcia has been with [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in Fargo since 2002 (when it was MeritCare) and is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgeries. He was born and raised in Mexico City, where he also attended medical school at LaSalle University. Garcia completed his general surgery residency at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and did a mini-fellowship in bariatric surgery at the [University of Pittsburgh](/org/university-of-pittsburgh) Medical Center. He also holds a Health Care Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota).

Active in the community, Garcia is a board member for the International Esperanza Project and the Matto Foundation.

Garcia and his wife, Greta, have four children.

Luis Garcia

As interim president and CEO of Sanford Fargo, Tiffany is responsible for the management and operations of the Fargo market for [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health).

Lawrence began her career working at Dakota Hospital in Fargo as a staff accountant. In 1996, she began working for MeritCare in a finance operational role. After a few years, she was promoted to a management position. Right before MeritCare merged with [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2009, Lawrence became the chief financial officer of the Fargo Broadway hospital. In 2015, she became vice president of finance and began overseeing both the hospital and clinics in Fargo. From 2017 to March 2022, Lawrence oversaw finance for the entire Fargo region. As of March 4, 2022, Lawrence now serves as the interim president and CEO of Sanford Fargo.

Lawrence graduated from the [University of North Dakota](/org/university-of-north-dakota) in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She and her husband, Rick, have three sons. She spends her weekends busy watching her children play sports and in the summer, Lawrence enjoys spending time at the lakes with family.

Tiffany Lawrence

Jared Antczak serves as [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s chief digital officer, overseeing digital strategy and transformation initiatives to enhance consumer and caregiver engagement, support care delivery, improve business processes and expand health care access through virtual care.

Antczak joined [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2022 after serving in leadership positions at [Highmark Health](/org/highmark-health), [Intermountain Healthcare](/org/intermountain-healthcare-inc) and [Atrium Health](/org/atrium-health). He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from [Brigham Young University-Idaho](/org/brigham-young-university-idaho) and an MBA from [Wake Forest University](/org/wake-forest-university), in addition to a product executive certification (PEC) and an information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) certification. He is also a certified professional in healthcare information and management systems (CPHIMS).

Originally from around Salt Lake City, Utah, Antczak lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Charlene, and their six children.

Jared Antczak

Michelle Bruhn

As [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health)’s chief legal officer, Jennifer Grennan is responsible for legal and compliance. She joined [Sanford Health](/org/sanford-health) in 2009 and has held multiple positions in the organization’s legal department, including vice president of legal.

Grennan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a juris doctor from the Creighton University School of Law.

Grennan is a Sioux Falls native and is married to David.

Jennifer Grennan

Schaffer has been with Sanford for nearly seven years. Schaffer most recently served as Sanford Bismarck’s vice president and also practiced as a family medicine physician.

He is a native of Carrington and also served four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan with the North Dakota National Guard.

Todd Schaffer

Sanford Health’s president of innovation, research and Sanford World Clinic, David A. Pearce, PhD, oversees the organization’s research activities and global clinic initiative. He is responsible for 450 researchers, eight research centers, more than 300 ongoing clinical trials and the commercialization of select research strategies. Pearce also leads Sanford World Clinic and manages Sanford Health’s international relationships.

Pearce heads the leading lab studying juvenile Batten disease, and his research has led to the first clinical trial for children with this disease. He also manages a national registry for rare diseases known as the Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford, or CoRDS.

Pearce completed his bachelor’s degree with honors in biological sciences at Wolverhampton Polytechnic. He holds a doctorate from the University of Bath and did postdoctoral training at the University of Rochester and Oxford University.

He and his wife, Suzanne, have three children.

David A. Pearce

Robin Smith

Wes Engbrecht

Erica C. DeBoer, RN, Sanford Health’s chief nursing officer, leads the organization’s professional nursing practice. Her oversight of enterprise services includes care management, clinical informatics, patient experience, clinical standardization, telehealth and air medical operations.

DeBoer has spent her entire career with Sanford Health, beginning in 1996 as a nurse assistant for Sioux Valley Hospital. Since then, she has held various positions as a nurse and clinical leader. Most recently, she served as senior executive director of nursing and clinical services and clinical informatics. In her roles as a nurse and nurse leader, DeBoer has received numerous recognitions from Sanford Health as well as other organizations, among them Sanford Health’s Nurse of the Year and Birkeland Clinical Innovation Employee of the Year and South Dakota State University’s Leadership in Clinical Practice Award.

DeBoer holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from South Dakota State University and a master’s in nursing from Augustana University, focused on nurse leadership. She also has served as an adjunct faculty member at SDSU and the University of Sioux Falls, teaching in their nursing and nurse leader programs.

Residing in nearby Lennox, DeBoer and her husband, Shane, to whom she’s been married for over 20 years, is a third-grade teacher. They have two children, Dominic (15) and Summer (11).

Erica C. Deboer

Jeremy Cauwels, MD, serves as chief physician for Sanford Health and is responsible for clinical and administrative leadership for the organization’s physicians. He also chairs the quality cabinet, working with its members to achieve high-quality, low-cost care across the Sanford Health footprint.

A hospitalist by training, Cauwels been with Sanford Health for 14 years, since the time he completed his residency. During his tenure with the organization, he has served as Sanford USD Medical Center’s hospitalist group director and chief of staff and held membership and leadership positions on numerous committees and professional organizations related to internal medicine and quality. Most recently, he held dual roles as senior vice president of clinic quality for Sanford Health and vice president and medical officer for Sanford Health Plan.

Cauwels completed his undergraduate work at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, receiving degrees in chemistry and biology. He then attended medical school at the University of Iowa and completed his residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

A native of Viborg, South Dakota, Cauwels and his wife, Teresa, live in Sioux Falls with their three children.

Sanford Health

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Teams

Leadership Team

CEO and Executive Team

Board of Directors

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