Dec. 20, 2022

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Sarah Kappel, director of patient care services at Avera Specialty Hospital.

Name: Sarah Kappel

Age: 39

Hometown: Sioux Falls

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I grew up in Sioux Falls! Both of my parents also grew up here, so after moving around some when I was very young, they settled back in Sioux Falls to be close to family. I went to college in Brookings and moved back to Sioux Falls after graduating for the same reason. My parents and in-laws and many of my siblings are in Sioux Falls — I love having everyone close.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls is home. I love the sense of community here and have fostered so many great relationships at work and in my family’s school and church communities. Sioux Falls is a friendly and safe place to raise a family. I also love that we have many entertainment and dining options here, great outdoor spaces and plenty of activities for all different interests.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love working in a fast-paced environment where every day is different! New challenges pop up all the time, and I have to be flexible and quick to adapt to whatever comes my way. I also feel that it is an incredible privilege to be able to care for others, whether that be the patients that we serve at Avera Specialty Hospital, a visitor or an employee. Having the daily opportunity to positively touch someone’s life is truly an honor.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I grew up visiting my mom, who also worked as a registered nurse, when she worked evening and weekend shifts at the hospital. My dad would bring us to meet her in the cafeteria for lunch, or we would join her for church in the hospital chapel. Seeing my mom in her scrubs and hearing about the hospital were a normal part of my childhood. When I was in high school, my first “real” job was as a tray passer, delivering meals to patients in various units of the hospital. Before I graduated high school, I had been exposed to a variety of different areas of health care through these opportunities.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Busy. Challenging. Joyful.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I actually never wanted to go into health care at all. When I graduated from high school, I had every intention of getting my Ph.D. in vocal music and directing a choir at a college or university somewhere. In fact, I didn’t even take a math class my senior year of high school because I was so convinced that I would have a career in fine arts — a bit of advice: always leave your options open! After I really got into my music education courses, I realized that teaching wasn’t the right path for me. I fell into nursing as a backup, in large part because of the exposure my mom had afforded me as a child. I crammed a year’s worth of science and math classes into a summer so I could apply for nursing school in the fall of my junior year at SDSU. Nursing has been a great adventure for me — oftentimes challenging but very rewarding as well.

I also have six kids, ranging in age from 15 years old to 18 months old. There is never a dull moment at my house, and I love every second.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I am active in my church and volunteer in different areas there, including music ministry, contributing to our food pantry and helping with various events. I also like to be involved at my children’s schools and have served as a volunteer there as well. I’ve also really enjoyed serving at the St. Francis House and Feeding South Dakota, as well as contributing to the Harvest of Hope Thanksgiving meal drive. There are so many great opportunities for service in our community.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Ikea!

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

I’ve always loved the idea of running a little used bookshop where patrons can find a good book, enjoy a cup of coffee and some baked goods, and just relax and read.