SDSMA Governance & Leadership

South Dakota State Medical Association members have many opportunities to shape policy and select leaders.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the association, which acts as the legislative and business body. It is comprised of 11 members: the president, president-elect, vice president, immediate past president, secretary-treasurer, senior American Medical Association (AMA) delegate, Policy Council chairperson, three at-large directors elected by the Policy Council from the membership of the association, and the alternate AMA delegate elected as such by the Policy Council. The alternate AMA delegate serves in a non-voting capacity.

	Benjamin C. Aaker, MD - President Medical school: University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha Residency: University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas Specialty: Emergency Medicine Current practice: Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton
	Kara L. Dahl, MD - President-Elect Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Dominica Residency: University of South Florida - Tampa Specialty: Emergency Medicine Current practice: Sanford Clinic, Aberdeen
	Lucio N. Margallo II, MD - Vice President Medical school: University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines Residency: University of South Dakota School of Medicine Specialty: Internal Medicine Current practice: Avera Medical Group Internal Medicine; Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, Mitchell
	Jennifer J. Tinguely, MD, MPH - Secretary-Treasurer Medical school: University of South Dakota School of Medicine Residency: Center for Family Medicine, Sioux Falls Specialty: Family Medicine Current practice: Falls Community Health, Sioux Falls
	Robert J. Summerer, DO - Immediate Past President Medical school: Des Moines University Residency: Des Moines General Hospital Specialty: General Surgery Current practice: Madison Regional Health System
	Denise S. Hanisch, MD - Policy Council Chair Medical school: University of South Dakota School of Medicine Residency: Sioux Falls Family Medicine Residency Program, Sioux Falls Specialty: Family Medicine Current practice: Pioneer Memorial Hospital, Viborg
	Susan M. Anderson, MD - At-Large Director Medical school: University of South Dakota School of Medicine Residency: Sioux Falls Family Medicine Residency Program Specialty: Family Medicine Current Practice: Sanford Clinic - USD Family Medicine, Sioux Falls
	Jesse J. Barondeau, MD - At-Large Director Medical school: University of South Dakota School of Medicine Residency: Madigan Pediatrics Residency Program, Tacoma, Washington Specialty: Pediatrics Current practice: Avera Medical Group Pediatrics, Mitchell
	Heather Preuss, MD - At-Large Director Medical school: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha Residency: Clarkson Family Medicine, Omaha Specialty: Family Medicine Current practice: Monument Health Hot Springs Clinic
	Mary S. Carpenter, MD - Delegate to the AMA Medical school: USD School of Medicine Residency: University of Oklahoma, Tulsa Medical College Specialty: Family Medicine Current practice: State Health Department and Social Services Department
	Robert L. Allison, MD - Alternate Delegate to the AMA Medical school: University of Nebraska School of Medicine, Omaha Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha Specialty: Internal Medicine Current practice: Avera Medical Group Pierre

Policy Council

The Policy Council is made up of 51 members including the Board officers, elected representatives from each district medical society, one representative from each specialty society, one representative appointed by the dean of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, and one representative each from the medical student and resident physician sections. The Policy Council adopts position statements and establishes the general policy of the association and has the sole power and authority to amend the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the SDSMA. The Council meets twice annually, including during the SDSMA annual meeting.

If you are interested in serving on the Policy Council, please contact your district or specialty society, or Terry Marks, Administrative Services Coordinator, at tmarks@sdsma.org or 605.336.1965.

Policy Council Chair - Denise S. Hanisch, MD

SDSMA committees