SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Good Samaritan Society, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of senior care and services, has elected three new members to its Board of Directors.
The new members include Ryan Austad, President and Chief Operating Officer of Austad’s Golf in Sioux Falls, SD; Dr. Jean Bokinskie, program director of the Parish Nurse Ministry, former professor and chair of nursing and current Emeritus-in-Residence for the Nursing Department at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN; and Dana Ritchie, native of Mandan, ND, and an experienced Capitol Hill advocate serving as the Associate Vice President of Constituency Services and Workforce for the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) in Washington, D.C. Their terms began June 17, 2024.
“Being part of a family-owned business in Sioux Falls, I’m passionate about supporting other businesses in the community and giving back,” said Ryan Austad. “I’m honored to join the Good Samaritan Society Board of Directors and support this not-for-profit organization headquartered right here in Sioux Falls that provides outstanding services not only for my community, but hundreds of communities across the Midwest.”
“I am proud to be a nurse and have dedicated my life’s work to educating and preparing the next generation of nurses,” said Dr. Jean Bokinskie. “Through my role on the Board of Directors, I’m eager to have a front row seat to the compassionate care provided every day by nurses in aging services and help support the Good Samaritan Society’s mission of sharing God’s love through the work of health, healing and comfort.”
“Having grown up in Mandan, North Dakota, I carried my Midwestern values to Washington, D.C. where I’ve spent over 20 years advocating for seniors,” said Dana Ritchie. “Through my work at AHCA/NCAL, I’m well-familiar with the mission and reputation of high-quality care provided by the Good Samaritan Society. It’s a true honor to support this fantastic organization in a new way and grow to be an even better advocate for the residents, families and caregivers supported by senior care providers.”
“Adding Ryan, Dr. Bokinskie and Dana to our board will enhance the great work and strides we’ve already accomplished for our seniors and caregivers across our footprint and will position us to continue putting our nation’s seniors and caregivers first in everything we do,” said Nate Schema, Good Samaritan Society president and CEO. “Their diverse skills and experience complement our current board and give us additional depth and breadth in the areas of public policy, home- and community-based services and local business. Their commitment and support of our mission and service to the community is evident.”
The Board includes the Good Samaritan Society’s president and individuals from communities across the Society’s service area who bring to the Board a wide range of background and professional experience, including finance, business, education, leadership and the nonprofit sector.
Good Samaritan Society Board
- Darrell Schmith, Chair
- Executive Vice President, First PREMIER Bank
- Rev. Linda Norman, Vice Chair
- Chief Financial Officer & Administrator, Mission Investment Fund of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA)
- Nate Schema, Director
- President & CEO, Good Samaritan Society
- Dr. Mike LeBeau, Director
- Senior Vice President Health Services Operations, Sanford Health
- Scott Petersen, Director
- Former CEO, LodgeNet
- Thomas Koop, Director
- Former CPA, Clifton Larson Allen, LLP
- Dave Austad, Director
- CEO, Austad’s Golf
- Dr. Helen Melland, Director
- Former Dean of the College of Nursing, Montana State University
- Dr. Dean Bresciani, Director
- Retired North Dakota State University President
- Ryan Austad, Director
- President and Chief Operating Officer, Austad’s Golf
- Dr. Jean Bokinskie, Director
- Program Director, Parish Nurse Ministry & Emeritus-in-Residence, Concordia College Nursing Department
- Dana Ritchie, Director
Associate
- Vice President of Constituency Service and Workforce, AHCA/NCAL
