Minnehaha County commissioner appointed as City Hall health director

Joe Kippley touts healthcare administration background, confronts conflict question

A Minnehaha County commissioner will serve as the next public health director for Sioux Falls, Mayor Paul TenHaken announced Wednesday, following a long selection and interview process.

Commissioner Joe Kippley replaces Dr. Charles Chima, who resigned nearly a year ago. The length of time between Chima’s departure and Kippley’s selection allowed the city to review the office and identify operational efficiencies, TenHaken said. Kippley’s interview process included an interview with the seven-member Board of Health.

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“It was a long interview process,” TenHaken said. “We had a lot of interviews – four or five.”

His appointment is contingent upon approval from the City Council.

Kippley, an executive at Sanford Health, acknowledged the unusual situation for a county commissioner working for city government. But after consulting with the state’s attorney, he was told that the relationship would be “permissible.”

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Kippley said he deals with potential conflicts as a Sanford employee while serving on the commission. As an example, he said he recuses himself when the commission votes on issues involving the coroner’s office because of its relationship with Sanford, and he said he could evaluate issues that might be adversarial between the city and county on a “case-by-case basis.”

“That’s something we’ll navigate,” he said.

Kippley currently serves as clinic director of cardiology at Sanford Health. He was also director of Imagenetics, and he said he developed a passion for health care while growing up in Brookings.

As an administrator in health care, he said he approaches his position from a position of “humility,” acknowledging that the nurses and doctors he works with know more about health than he does.

“You’re one step removed,” he said about the role of an administrator. “You help the people who help the people.”

Kippley also has a law degree, which TenHaken said will be an asset given the department’s relationship with the federal government and contracts.

The Health Department is due to complete a health needs assessment of the community, which is done every three years, and Kippley said that will be a focus when he starts. He also said that TenHaken’s belief in physical fitness will be a part of the department’s mission.

“The mayor has already gotten me out for a one-mile run,” he joked.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on his appointment May 21.