Welcome

President Renae Buehner, RNC - term expires 2021

 I graduated from  Dakota Wesleyan University with my associates degree in 2001. I went back to get my bachelors degree and graduated from University of Phoenix in 2012.

I have worked the majority of my nursing career on labor and delivery. I am an AWHONN fetal monitoring instructor and teach a portion of the Avera Perinatal practicum. I am currently the unit Supervisor for Labor and Delivery.

For family, I married my high school sweetheart and we have 3 beautiful daughters that keep us busy.

Beth Graff - Past President Elect - expiring in 2021

Past President : Meghan Foster, RNC - term expires 2021

Hello all and thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving you as your President. I have been involved in SDPA for several years, starting with planning committee member, board member, President elect and now President. I have enjoyed every moment of being involved in SDPA. I thoroughly enjoy meeting all of the members and working with speakers to produce a fantastic conference. I have worked in the Avera Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 12 years as a bedside nurse, transport nurse and currently as clinical nurse educator. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my 6 year old daughter, Madelyn. We enjoy camping with family and enjoying the nice weather for the short time we have it here in South Dakota.  I also enjoy crocheting accessories  for those cold weather months.

Treasurer: Lisa Jorgenson  - term expires 2021

.I currently work in the NICU at Avera McKennan Hospital. I was a NICU nurse from 2003-2008, have been on the NICU transport team from 2005- present, and a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner from 2008 to present. I graduated from Creighton University in 2003 with my BSN and from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with my MSN in 2008. My clinical interests include: quality improvement activities, staff education, and reviewing Vermont Oxford Data.

I am born and raised in Sioux Falls. My husband Jay and I have four children- Jonah (11), Jack (8), Lucy and Liam (5 year old twins).

Charissa Ortman Brockmueller - term expires 2020

I graduated from Augustana University in 1999 with a Bachelor's of Arts in Nursing and then began my nursing career at Sioux Valley/Sanford Health.  After 5 years of NICU nursing experience, I entered into a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at Vanderbilt University and graduated with a Master's of Science degree in 2006.  I currently work full-time at Sanford Health as a NNP in the NICU and with the flight team.  My clinical areas of interest include simulation training, flight team, and mentoring.

My husband, Brad, and I live in Sioux Falls and we have a daughter named Alexa in middle school who is active in music, athletics, and academics.  I play the trombone in a community brass choir and enjoy traveling all over the country to visit friends and family and/or sightseeing.

Shannon Backstrom - term expires 2021

Annie Siewert - term expires 2021

Cathy Lessly - term expires 2022

Kayla Arnold - term expires 2022

Heather Solon - term expires 2022

Shanna Konz - term expires 2022

Lauritz Meyer - term expires 2023

Natasha Lopez - term expires 2023

Laurie Hogden - term expires 2023

Executive Assistant: Susie Petersen, RNC

I am the executive assistant for the SDPA taking over my role in May, 2014.  I have been a past board member and secretary/treasurer.  I am very passionate about the SDPA and have been an active member since 2002 and worked on the planning committee for the past 6 years.

I have worked at Avera McKennan Hospital since 1976 as a nurses aide, LPN and then RN since 1988.  The first 4 years was in orthopedics and then transferring to Obstetrics and Newborn Nursery where I currently work in the Women's Center Postpartum/Newborn Nursery.  I graduated from the University of South Dakota with an Associates Degree in Nursing and certified in In-patient Obstetrics since 2001.

My husband, Rick and I enjoy camping during the summer and vacationing during the winters to escape the cold South Dakota weather. I also enjoy scrapbooking all of these adventures.