Posted on
Horizon Health Foundation welcomed Dennis Nelson of Vermillion, SD, to the Foundation’s Board of Directors and transitioned current board member Kelli Koepsell of Canova, SD, into the role of Secretary/Treasurer. The Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of eleven leaders, representing the Horizon Health Care service area across South Dakota, who guide the direction of the Foundation and oversee operations, including financial management and advocacy efforts.
Nelson brings over 22 years of experience in the medical field from his previous service at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA. His extensive knowledge of health care will be an asset on the Foundation’s board as they advocate for rural health care and South Dakota patients. He served on the Mercy Board of Directors Performance Improvement Committee and the All Points Clinic Board of Directors in Union County, SD. Over the years, Nelson has also served on the Scottish Rite of South Dakota Foundation Board of Directors and as the City Administrator for the cities of Freeman and Elk Point, SD.
Since Nelson also serves on the Horizon Health Care governing board as Treasurer, he will act as a liaison between the Horizon and Foundation boards to create a more unified mission.
Koepsell has served on the Foundation board since November 2021, during which she has volunteered at annual programs and helped guide Foundation operations toward the benefit of patient care. She’s been the director of marketing and communications at Dakota State University since 2018. Prior to that, she spent 15 years working in health care marketing for Sanford Health. Over the years, Koepsell has served on several boards, including the Howard School District Board. In addition to her activity in her church and local communities, she's currently training to be a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) advocate for Miner and Lake counties in South Dakota.
As Secretary/Treasurer for the board, Koepsell will maintain and account for the Horizon Health Foundation funds and will be responsible for observing corporate formalities and maintaining records.
Other current Horizon Health Foundation board members include Patrick Maroney (Sioux Falls, SD); Doug Eidahl (Roslyn, SD); Jim Burg (Wessington Springs, SD); Gary McKellips (Alcester, SD); Jean Thompson (Howard, SD); Kelli Koepsell (Madison, SD); Tom Glanzer (Huron, SD); Carrie Howard (Woonsocket, SD); Tokiya Kills in Sight (Rosebud, SD); and Lorinda Holland (De Smet, SD).
The Horizon Health Foundation was established in 2016 to ensure rural health care access to those in need and provide funding for Horizon Health Care. Horizon Health Foundation, a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation, seeks through responsible activities to encourage and derive sustaining gift support from current and former patients and interested friends, including corporate entities. The Horizon Health Foundation, operating in coordination with Horizon Health Care, is the duly designated fundraising arm for Horizon Health Care. In the broadest sense, the purpose of the Foundation is to create an awareness of the financial needs of Horizon Health Care, which are not provided by patient charges and to systematically implement plans by which dollar needs can be met. For more information, please visit http://www.horizonhealthfounda... or call 605.772.4553.
About Horizon Health Care
For over 40 years, Horizon Health Care has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and mental health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and mental health care needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through 110,000 patient visits annually in 32 community health centers in: Aberdeen, Alcester, Bison, Bryant, De Smet, Eagle Butte, Elk Point, Faith, Fort Thompson, Howard, Huron, Isabel, La Plant, Lake Preston, Martin, McIntosh, Mission, Plankinton, Wessington Springs, White River, Woonsocket, and Yankton. For more information, please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org.