New board members elected to Good Samaritan Society

Contact:

Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / jon.berg@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, SD – 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

About the Good Samaritan Society
The Good Samaritan Society is one of the largest not-for-profit providers for senior care and services in the United States with more than 200 locations in 17 states. Its services include senior living, long-term care, rehabilitation therapy, home-based services and more. For 100 years, the organization has been dedicated to sharing God’s love through the work of health, healing and comfort. Learn more about the Good Samaritan Society at good-sam.com. 

About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves 1.4 million patients and nearly 200,000 health plan members across 250,000 square miles. The integrated health system has 45 hospitals, 211 clinic locations, more than 160 Good Samaritan Society senior living centers, 2,900 Sanford physicians and advanced practice providers, 540 active clinical trials, and nine world clinic locations around the globe. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.