Outstanding Contribution Award
(individuals who have made significant contributions to DOH over the course of their career)
Kristin Biskeborn, State Nutritionist
Office of Health Promotion, Chamberlain
Kristin received the Outstanding Contribution Award for exemplary contributions to public health over the course of her career. Kristin has worked for the state of South Dakota for 24 years in varying capacities. Since 1998, long before the child obesity issue became a national public health topic or a First Lady’s project, Kristin tackled the issue by involving hundreds of schools and thousands of students from across the state for annual weighing and measuring. The resulting School Height Weight Survey is one of the longest running surveys of its kind in the nation. Her partnerships and relationships with colleagues across the state are instrumental in the ability to implement and sustain the statewide weight height data collection. Above, Kristin accepts her award from Secretary Hollingsworth (left), Health Promotion Administrator Linda Ahrendt (second from right), and Health and Medical Division Director Colleen Winter (far right).
Excellence in the Workplace Award
(for outstanding performance during the past year)
Melissa Johnson, Clinical Supervisor
Correctional Health Services, Springfield
Employees at the Springfield Correctional Health Clinic were honored for their efforts in keeping the Women’s Prison Clinic in Pierre operational while the clinical supervisor, charge nurse and staff nurse positions were vacant earlier this year. Melissa Johnson, Supervisor of the Springfield Correctional Health Clinic, accepted the award. With the assistance of multiple Springfield Clinic staff members, Melissa evaluated existing operations and identified improvements needed at the clinic. The Pierre clinic was completely restructured and new standard operating procedures and policies were instituted, while at the same time both the Springfield and Pierre clinics were kept fully operational. Employees at all levels including Charge Nurse Michelle Leibfarth and staff Bridgette Muller and Stephanie Hamilton traveled to Pierre to institute changes and improve operations while those remaining in Springfield picked up the workload necessary to keep that clinic fully functional in spite of the absence of key leaders and staff members. At right Melissa accepts her award from Secretary of Health Doneen Hollingsworth (left).
Derrick Haskins, Tobacco Control Program Coordinator,
Office of Health Promotion, Pierre
Derrick Haskins, Tobacco Control Program Coordinator in Pierre, was recognized for stepping in to assist with communications during the department’s H1N1 response. While still carrying out his Tobacco Control duties, Derrick spent at least half his time during the response gathering information from CDC conference calls, working with BOP, DSS and DOE on their H1N1 communications, coordinating the development of TV, radio and print ads with a contract ad agency, and helping contract vaccinators promote scheduled clinics. Derrick is pictured accepting his award from Secretary Hollingsworth (left), Health Promotion Administrator Linda Ahrendt (second from right), and Health and Medical Division Director Colleen Winter (far right).
Patricia Brinkley, Health Facilities Surveyor,
Office of Licensure & Certification, Sioux Falls.
Patricia Brinkley was honored for serving as a role model and for providing leadership to fellow surveyors and the state’s healthcare providers. She is a team player who is always willing to share her wealth of knowledge with staff and the providers in hospitals, critical access hospitals, specialty hospitals, end stage renal dialysis facilities, transplant facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, and psychiatric residential facilities. Patricia works in the Sioux Falls office of Licensure and Certification. Patricia accepts her award from Health Systems Division Director Tom Martinec (left), Licensure and Certification Administrator Bob Stahl (second form left) and Secretary Hollingsworth (right).
Linda Hoxie, RN, Community Health Nurse
Office of Family & Community Health Services, Belle Fourche
Linda Hoxie was recognized for going above and beyond for clients seeking services at the Community Health Services office in Butte County. Whether taking a WIC mother grocery shopping or helping a troubled client get needed mental health services, Linda consistently offers her best to the people she serves to help them realize the most positive of health outcomes and results. She delivers the highest level of nursing care day in and day out, no matter how challenging the situation, the attitudes or constraints. Linda accepts her award from Wade Huntington, Region 1 Manager; Colleen Winter, Health and Medical Services Division Director (second from right) and Darlene Bergeleen, Administrator of Family and Community Health Services (right).
Rising Star Award
(recognizes fresh new talent in the agency)
Lori King, Purchasing Officer, Fiscal Office, Pierre
Lori King, was honored for her work in helping the agency comply with major changes to the state’s procurement rules and laws and her knowledge of the state’s RFP process and the online bidding system. She also implemented more stringent tracking on equipment rentals and leases as well as service and maintenance agreements. At right, Lori accepts her award from Kari Weisbeck, Finance Officer (left), and Secretary Hollingsworth (right).
Natalie VanDrongelen, RN, Community Health Nurse
Office of Family & Community Health Services, Mitchell
Although new to the department, Natalie VanDrongelen is quick to volunteer and take on new responsibilities. She is a member of the department team working with the state’s
E-Health Collaborative on electronic medical records and is a resource for other staff on the issue. When the state’s family planning program began using a new computer system, VanDrongelen worked with staff at both the state and local level to assure the program was used to its fullest extent. She now provides orientation on the system for new staff. Natalie accepts her award from Deb Haak, Region 6 Manager (left), Darlene Bergeleen, Administrator of Family and Community Health Services (second from left), and Colleen Winter, Health and Medical Services Division Director (right).
