Kelby Krabbenhoft becomes CEO of Sanford Health

Sanford Health and Krabbenhoft have “mutually agreed to separate,” the health system said in a press release. They did not mention the reason for his departure.

“Kelby’s impact on the organization and the communities it serves will be felt for generations to come,” said Brent Teiken, Chairman of the Board of Sanford Health, in a press release.

Terms of Krabbenhoft’s departure will not be released, a spokesperson for Sanford Health said.

Krabbenhoft released his own statement minutes later to address the move.

“We decided today was a good time to retire. Sanford is in a good position, the strongest ever. It’s Thanksgiving week and almost exactly 25 years since my family arrived. here, ”he wrote. “It’s a good time to say ‘goodbye’.”

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Bill Gassen, Chief Executive Officer, has been selected by the Board of Directors as President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Bill is the right person to lead Sanford Health through these unprecedented times because of his extensive experience with many aspects of the organization and his deep commitment to our staff,” said Teiken. “We are extremely optimistic to have a firm hand behind the wheel in partnership with our existing management team.”

Krabbenhoft, who is not a doctor, gained national attention last week after emailing employees telling them he would not wear a mask because he had recovered from COVID-19 and considered himself immune.

Senior Sanford Health executives were quick to disavow their CEO’s statement and immunity claims, which are not supported by the best scientific evidence available.

Meanwhile, Krabbenhoft gave interviews to local media to say he would in fact wear a mask, following guidelines from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But he also said he did not support mask warrants – a possible explanation why Sanford Health, a major health system in South Dakota, did not support pandemic measurement unlike Avera Health, its long distance rival.

It was another position that was quickly disowned by a senior Sanford executive. In an interview broadcast by CBS News on Monday, Sanford Health chief medical officer Dr Allison Suttle called on Governor Kristi Noem to institute a mask warrant.

In addition to Gassen, the current management team remains in place: Executive Vice President Micah Aberson, Medical Director Dr. Allison Suttle, COO Matt Hocks, Director of People Nathan Peterson and CFO Bill Marlette.

Sanford’s full press release is below:

Sanford Health and CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft mutually agree to separate
Bill Gassen named new President and CEO

SIOUX FALLS, SD –The Board of Directors announced that Sanford Health and longtime CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft have mutually agreed to separate.

The Board of Directors recognized Krabbenhoft’s contributions to the organization during his long tenure. Krabbenhoft assumed the role of President and CEO in 1996 and made the organization of a community hospital the largest not-for-profit rural health system in the country, now spanning 26 states and 10 countries. “Kelby’s impact on the organization and the communities it serves will be felt for generations to come,” said Brent Teiken, Chairman of the Board.

The Board of Directors has appointed Bill Gassen President and CEO of Sanford Health. Bill has been with the organization since 2012, most recently serving as Executive Director. His appointment takes effect immediately.

“Bill is the right person to lead Sanford Health through these unprecedented times because of his extensive experience with many aspects of the organization and his deep commitment to our staff,” said Teiken. “We are extremely optimistic to have a firm hand behind the wheel in partnership with our existing management team.”

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work on behalf of the Sanford family and help lead this organization and its life-changing work. Our system priorities will be focused on caring for our employees, patients and the communities we serve, ”said Gassen.

Gassen began his career at Sanford Health in 2012 as a corporate legal advisor and moved to human resources two years later as vice president of human resources integration. He then held the position of Human Resources Director before his promotion to Administrative Director.

Gassen and his wife, Jill, have five children.

The Executive Leadership Team comprised of Executive Vice President Micah Aberson, Medical Director Allison Suttle, COO Matt Hocks, Chief of Staff Nathan Peterson and CFO Bill Marlette will continue to assist with the tasks. supervision of the organization.