South Dakota-based health system chooses new leader

One of the state’s major health systems has a new leader.

James “Jim” Dover has been named the next president and CEO of Sioux Falls-based Avera Health, one of the largest not-for-profit rural health care systems in the Midwest. His first day with Avera will be Oct. 23.

Dover joins Avera following Bob Sutton’s resignation early this summer due to a health problem. Dover will be Avera’s third president and CEO.

“I am humbled and honored to lead such a remarkable organization,” Dover said in a news release.

He will oversee a health system with $3 billion in annual revenue, more than 20,000 employees, a 1,200-member medical group, 37 hospitals, 200 clinics, and 40 long-term care facilities. Avera’s footprint includes locations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.

Avera is also the region’s largest provider of behavioral health services and operates Avera Health Plans.

Dover comes to Avera from Lansing, Michigan-based Sparrow Health, where he had served as president and CEO since 2019. Dover received his bachelor’s degree in bacteriology from the University of Idaho and his master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.