Avera chief mission officer named

Avera announced that after an extensive national search, Dave Belde, PhD, has been named chief mission officer for Avera Health. He succeeds Mary Hill, who retired at the end of June.

“As a health care ministry rooted in the Gospel, mission is central to Avera and as such our chief mission officer is a key member of our senior leadership team,” said Sr. Mary Kay Panowicz, chair of the Avera System Members, the Avera sponsors. “Dave will be a tremendous asset as Avera remains centered on our mission and alignment to Catholic health care ethics.”

“Dave has an impressive background as a senior executive in Catholic health care and mission-based leadership,” said Jim Dover, FACHE, president and CEO of Avera. “We are blessed to welcome an executive with a very high level of expertise, experience and education to lead in the vital areas of mission, ethics and spirituality at Avera.”

Belde comes from Richmond, Va., and has 25 years of executive leadership experience in clinical, community, corporate and governance contexts. Most recently, Belde has led his own consulting firm, TwinShip Advisors, providing expertise on a wealth of topics, including ethics integration, conflict resolution, community partnership development, strategic planning and more. Before that he was with Bon Secours Mercy Health, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, as vice president for Community Health for Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina, and senior vice president for Mission Services in the Richmond, Va., market. He has extensive previous experience in ethics and mission.

A native Minnesotan who grew up in South St. Paul, he gained his undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona. He went on to earn a master’s in theological ethics from Boston College and a PhD in health care ethics from St. Louis University. Belde has served as an adjunct professor of health care ethics, theology and interdisciplinary studies. In addition, he has served extensively on boards and councils at local, state and national levels, has authored numerous nationally published journal articles and has co-authored an introductory ethics textbook, “Health Care Ethics: Theological Foundations, Contemporary Issues and Controversial Cases.”

As chief mission officer, Belde will provide strategic direction in leading the integration of the mission, vision, values, beliefs and history of the Benedictine Sisters and Presentation Sisters into Avera’s Catholic health ministry. He will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, accountable for the development and implementation of strategic processes and services associated with mission, including formation, ecclesial relations, Catholic ministry identity, Ethical and Religious Directives, stewardship, clinical pastoral education, ethics, and workplace spirituality and solidarity.

“It is abundantly clear to me that Avera is a special ministry dedicated to advancing the health and wholeness of the patients, families and communities it serves each day,” Belde said. “To have the opportunity to join such a rich and meaningful culture and to partner with committed leaders and coworkers to advance the mission of our founding congregations makes me excited, humbled and so very grateful to join Avera.”

Belde will begin his role on Sept. 16.

CCM Health joins Headwaters High-Value Network

CCM Health announced its partnership with the Headwaters High-Value Network, a coalition of 19 independent rural hospitals in Minnesota committed to advancing healthcare statewide. This collaboration aims to improve healthcare quality and streamline operations, addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities such as rising costs and care coordination.

By pooling resources and expertise, CCM Health and other network members can negotiate more effectively with insurers. They are also focusing on innovative, value-based insurance solutions that prioritize quality care, cost-effectiveness, and positive experiences for patients and healthcare providers.

“We at CCM Health are excited to team up with the Headwaters High-Value Network to improve our service to rural communities,” said Brian Lovdahl, CEO of CCM Health in Montevideo. “This partnership will help us deliver better care and make sure that independent hospitals like CCM Health can succeed in the constant changing world of healthcare.”

The Headwaters High-Value Network provides a platform for collaboration among hospitals like CCM Health, fostering initiatives that aim to improve healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction across the state of Minnesota.

“By combining our resources and expertise, CCM Health and our fellow independent partners are strengthening our dedication to delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare in rural Minnesota,” added Lovdahl.