Movers & Shakers features new hires, promotions and awards involving top executives and organizations. For consideration, email jodi@siouxfalls.business. Guaranteed placement is provided only to partners of SiouxFalls.Business.

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center has received Heart Failure Advanced Certification from DNV. The certification affirms an organization’s excellence in heart failure diagnosis and treatment inclusive of initial diagnostic services and therapies related to heart failure – as well as clear metrics to evaluate program outcomes.

Sanford Health

For the third year in a row, Sanford Health has been named to the list of Becker’s Healthcare 150 top places to work in health care. According to Becker’s, the health systems and companies included on this list are committed to supporting their teams through comprehensive benefits, opportunities for both personal and professional growth, inclusive and empowering work environments and resources that promote a healthy work-life balance.

Candice Ligtenberg

First Interstate Bank

Candice Ligtenberg has joined First Interstate Bank as a community development officer. Ligtenberg has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry, previously serving in process improvement and risk management roles at Wells Fargo.

Sayre Associates

Sayre Associates Inc. has hired Reid Dutrow, engineer-in-training, as a project engineer. Dutrow earned his master’s degree in civil engineering from South Dakota Mines in May. He interned with the company during the summer of 2024 and will continue to support infrastructure and design projects, providing construction administration and observation services.

South Dakota State Medical Association

Keith Hansen

Dr. Keith Hansen is the new president of the South Dakota State Medical Association. Hansen is a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at Sanford Fertility & Reproductive Medicine Clinic. Other officers of the board of directors are president elect, Dr. Benjamin Meyerink; vice president, Dr. Mandi Greenway Bietz of Mitchell; and secretary/treasurer, Dr. Deepak Goyal of Rapid City. Board members are at-large directors, Dr. Sarah Flynn, Dr. Laura Hoefert of Madison and Dr. Ty Hanson of Aberdeen; policy council chair, Dr. Megan Smith of Burke; and immediate past president, Dr. Jennifer Tinguely. Dr. Robert Allison of Fort Pierre is the AMA delegate and Dr. Robert Summerer of Madison and Dr. Mary Carpenter of Winner are alternates.

The South Dakota State Medical Association has presented its annual awards.

• Distinguished Service Award: William Fuller.
• Outstanding Young Physician Award: Matthew Schaffer of Mobridge.
• Community Service Award: Jacob Quail of Vermillion.
• Richard P. Holm, MD, Media Award: Sheila Agee for her contributions to the SDSMA’s medical journal, South Dakota Medicine.
• Young at Heart Award: Roy Mortinsen of Vermillion.
• Past President’s Award: Denise Hanisch of Centerville.
• Special Presidential Award: Barbara Smith, retiring CEO of

Other awards also were presented:

• COPIC Humanitarian Award: Margaret Becker of Spearfish. The recipient of the award designates a $10,000 donation from COPIC to be provided to a health care-related nonprofit organization in South Dakota. Good Shepherd Clinic is the donation recipient.
• AMA Distinguished Service Award: Mary Carpenter of Winner.

50-Year Awards: Drs. William Fuller, Rif’at Hussain, Dennis Knutson and H. Bruce Vogt, all of Sioux Falls; and Drs. William Howard, Norman Neu, Ken Vogele and Larry Wehrkamp, all of Rapid City.