Mission:
The Maternal and Infant Health Task Force works to improve the health of mothers and infants through data-informed innovation, collaborative partnerships, and sustainable solutions that address disparities to build lasting improvements in care and outcomes.
Guiding principles:
- Community-centered approach: We engage families and local stakeholders as active partners, empowering them to drive decisions and shape solutions that directly respond to their community’s needs.
- Data: We use data as a tool for transparency, illuminating health disparities and guiding informed decision-making to advance accountability in our work and well-being for all.
- Collaboration: We are committed to a multi-sector, statewide approach that values open dialogue, mutual respect, and active engagement among partners to develop forward-thinking and long-term solutions.
Maternal & Infant Health Task Force Members
Katelyn Strasser
Deputy Division Director
Organization: SD Department of Health
Task Force Chair and Systems of Care Committee Lead
Laurel Rick
Infant Health Coordinator
Organization: SD Department of Health
Infant Health Committee Lead
Shelby Kommes
Women’s Health Director
Organization: SD Department of Health
Maternal Health Committee Lead
Fabricia Latterell
Administrator, Office of MCH Data Analytics & Insights
Organization: SD Department of Health
Data Lead
Sandra Melstad
Consultant
Organization: SLM Consulting, LLC
Beth Walstrom
Evaluator
Organization: SDSU Population Health
Stephanie Hanson
Assistant Professor/Executive Director
Organization: SD State University / SD Perinatal Quality Collaborative
Denise Hanisch
Medical Director
Organization: SD Department of Health
Abhinav Datti
Prevention Services Manager, Office of MCH Data Analytics & Insights
Organization: SD Department of Health
Eric Emery
Representative
Organization: SD Legislature
Sydney Davis
CRNA, State Senator District 17
Organization: SD Legislature
Kaylyn Davis
Infant and Child Mortality Data Abstractor, Office of MCH Data Analytics & Insights
Organization: SD Department of Health
Tracy Bieber
Program Manager
Organization: Community Health Workers of SD
Kimberlee McKay, MD
Research Medical Director, RMOMs-SD PI
Organization: Avera Research Institute
Hope Kleine
Administrator, Office of Lifespan Health
Organization: SD Department of Health
Suzanne England
GPA MCH Consultant
Organization: Indian Health Services
Marty Link
Deputy Division Director
Organization: SD Department of Health
Josie Petersen
Assistant Administrator, Office of Rural Health
Organization: SD Department of Health
Bri Edwards
President
Organization: Lach’s Legacy
Nikki Krier
Nurse Consultant: SD PLAN
Organization: SD Department of Health
Audrey Rider
Early Childhood Field Specialist
Organization: SD State University Extension
Katie Kopp
Director of Nursing, Birth Place Services
Organization: Sanford Health
Joe Kippley
Public Health Director
Organization: Sioux Falls Health Department
Lacey McCormack
Director of Rural Research
Organization: Avera Research Institute
Laura Nordbye
Child Care Licensing Program Manager, Office of Licensing & Accreditation
Organization: SD Department of Social Services
Alyssa Christensen
Nurse Manager
Organization: Avera McKennan Hospital
Shelly Ten Napel
CEO
Organization: Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas
Taylor Rehfeldt
Representative
Organization: SD Legislature
Jen Tinguely
Medical Director
Organization: City of Sioux Falls Health Department
Nicky Cooney
Strategic Initiatives Consultant, Health Improvement Division
Organization: Wellmark
Jody Spangenberg
Public Health Nurse
Organization: SD Department of Health
Chris Soukup
Care Management Program Administrator, Medical Services
Organization: SD Department of Social Services
Anna Waterland Dykstra
Certified Nurse Midwife
Organization: Indian Health Service, Four Directions Clinic in Kyle
Carrie Churchill
Administrator, Office of Home Visiting
Organization: SD Department of Health
Carly Goodhart
Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
Organization: Sanford Health
Kelsie Thomas
Board President
Organization: SD Doulas
Beth Dokken
Director, Division of Family and Community Health
Organization: SD Department of Health
Kristine Randall
Director, NICU
Organization: Sanford Health
London Zerfas
Deputy Administrator
Organization: SD Department of Health
Melanie Boetel
Director, Behavioral Health
Organization: Department of Social Services
Mandy Bell
VP of Product Innovation
Organization: Avel eCare
Stacie Ugofsky
Lead Licensing Specialist
Organization: SD Department of Social Services
Sara DeCoteau
Tribe’s Health Services Coordinator
Organization: Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation
Victoria Wakeman
Certified Doula and Trainer, Certified Lactation Peer Counselor
Organization: Childbirth Support Specialists
Terri Rattler
TMIECHV Program Manager
Organization: Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board
Alicia Mousseau
Vice President
Organization: Oglala Sioux Tribe
Johanna Hewitt
Nurse Practitioner, DNP
Organization: Indian Health Services, Pine Ridge Hospital Pediatrics
Joel Arriolacolmenares
Administrator, Office of Public Health Nursing
Organization: SD Department of Health
Beth Laughlin
Labor and Delivery Nurse Manager
Organization: Monument Health
Shannon Muchow
Nurse Manager, Office of Public Health Nursing
Organization: SD Department of Health
Kelly Cronin
Public Health Nurse
Organization: SD Department of Health
Sandy Lown
Executive Director
Organization: Teddy Bear Den
Jordyn Gunville-Pourier
Senior Research Associate
Organization: Johns Hopkins - Center for Indigenous Health
Tony Burke
Government Relations Director
Organization: American Heart Association
Matt Tribble
Public Health Analyst, Overdose Response Strategy
Organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Steve Ardis
Officer
Organization: Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
Renee Forred
Doula, Owner
Organization: SD Doulas; Transitions: Doula and Life Services
Laura Rose
Assistant Chief Financial Officer, Human Resource Director
Organization: The Bebela Project
Kelly Piacentino
Director, SD PLAN Program
Organization: SD Department of Health
Alejandra Ortiz
Infant and Child Health (Contractor) Epidemiologist, Office of MCH Data Analytics & Insights
Organization: SD Department of Health