Business owner, former legislator tapped to lead South Dakota Department of Health

Dec. 22—SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Gov. Kristi Noem has announced a new secretary of the state Department of Health, going outside of the department to appoint Melissa Magstadt, a former legislator and health care business owner, effective Dec. 27.

"Melissa has proven her ability to provide innovative and cost-effective healthcare to the people of South Dakota," Governor Kristi Noem said as part of a

press release

on Thursday, Dec. 22. "She will bring a fresh perspective to the department. We've set an example for the nation over the past several years by trusting our people to exercise personal responsibility over their healthcare decisions. Melissa will advance that vision for the people of South Dakota."

The Watertown-area resident owns two different businesses in the health care space: one, Quick Care SD, focused on access to care in the eastern part of the state and the other, SG Essentials, an integrated medicine practice in Watertown and Pierre.

Magstadt served in the South Dakota House of Representatives for two terms beginning in 2011, where she was a member of the House Committee on Health and Human Services.

"South Dakota should be on the forefront of supporting proactive quality of care for our people," Magstadt wrote in the release. "Our state has unique health challenges, which vary from our rural communities to our big cities. We can tackle these challenges by focusing on an innovative, forward-looking approach to public health, rather than simply reacting to difficulties."

The appointment of Magstadt comes less than one week after former Secretary Joan Adam retired days after the department was

embroiled in public controversy

surrounding the termination of a contract with an organization in the state focused on transgender issues.

Entering 2023, Gov. Noem has two other key positions left to fill: the Secretary of Education spot vacated by Tiffany Sanderson in November and the Secretary of Social Services position that Laurie Gil announced she will be exiting on Jan. 8.

Jason Harward is a

Report for America

corps reporter who writes about state politics in South Dakota. Contact him at

605-301-0496

or

jharward@forumcomm.com.