Premier Bank CEO to serve on Sanford Health board

Dana Dykhouse elected to three-year term

One of South Dakota’s most prominent bankers and philanthropists is taking a role with Sanford Health.

The Sioux Falls health system announced Thursday that First Premier Bank CEO Dana Dykhouse has been elected to serve on its Board of Trustees and will begin a three-year term on Jan. 1.

The 12-member Board of Trustees oversees governance of the health system and provides oversight of the organization’s strategic direction and financial and operational performance.

“Living in Sioux Falls, I’ve had a front-row seat to the remarkable impact of Sanford Health. Sanford’s deep commitment to advancing the best in health care and investing in communities has had a profound impact on the well-being and economic strength of the region,” Dykhouse said in a statement accompanying the announcement of his election. “I am honored to join an outstanding team of leaders on the Board of Trustees and help advance Sanford Health’s mission of providing world-class health care for all.”

Widely respected as an esteemed businessman, Dykhouse is a Rock Rapids, Iowa, native who first joined First Premier Bank in 1995. Since then, the bank’s total assets have grown from $250 million to more than $3 billion.

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Dykhouse has also become a prominent contributor in numerous public-private partnerships and currently serves as the chairman for the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund and South Dakota Technical Education Board. He also serves on the board for the Freedom Scholarship, the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, and Northwestern Energy.

“Dana’s profound impact on people can be felt throughout South Dakota – from his business and workforce acumen to the generosity of his giving,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “Dana has been a trusted advocate and champion of health care for many years, and I want to welcome him to our Board of Trustees. Our health system’s future will be stronger because of his involvement and his passion for enhancing the quality of life for our communities.”