State Staff
Brock Rops
State Advisor
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Mr. Brock Rops is the Deputy Director for South Dakota Area Health Education Center and Executive Director for South Dakota HOSA-Future Health Professionals. Mr. Rops has been involved as a leader in education for 25 years. He has a passion for inspiring and instilling confidence in students as they begin to get more engaged in their pursuits as future health professionals. Mr. Rops believes the South Dakota HOSA program will answer students' questions regarding careers in health care and the pathway involved to getting there.
Outside of his duties as the SD HOSA State Advisor, Mr. Rops enjoys spending time with his wife Nancy, who is an OBGYN nurse, and two kids Finely(12) and Sutton (10). He relaxes by enjoying a round of golf or a game of basketball.
Outside of his duties as the SD HOSA State Advisor, Mr. Rops enjoys spending time with his wife Nancy, who is an OBGYN nurse, and two kids Finely(12) and Sutton (10). He relaxes by enjoying a round of golf or a game of basketball.
State Officers
Mazzi Moore
President
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Hello! I am Mazzi Moore, a junior at Brandon Valley High School. During the 2024-25 HOSA year and my third year in the program, I will be serving as your South Dakota State HOSA President-Elect. Although I participate in a wide variety of extracurriculars and clubs ranging from academics to community service, HOSA has a special place in my heart. It has helped me explore an incredible range of careers in the medical field, guiding my future pursuit of biomedical engineering. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity to lead as your President-Elect, and I look forward to a great HOSA year!
Board of Directors
Dr. Amy Bialas
Academic Affairs-Sanford Health
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Like many HOSA students, Amy Bialas solidified her interest in healthcare after taking Health Careers I & II in high school. Dr. Bialas is the executive director of medical education for Sanford Health and also an assistant professor within the department of family medicine at the Sanford School of Medicine. A Sioux Falls native, Dr. Bialas has worked in healthcare since 2001. Dr. Bialas had the pleasure of attending the 2011 HOSA National Conference in California, and was convinced that HOSA would inspire South Dakota students to pursue careers in healthcare.
Dr. Pam Hilber
Director Workforce Planning, Avera Health
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Pam Hilber, PhD, is a 15 year Avera employee. She originally joined Avera as a Psychologist in the Behavioral Health segment of their services. She was then trained and prepared for leadership through Avera's informal and formal staff/leadership development programs. 6 ½ years ago she was named the Director of Workforce Planning for the Avera system. Essentially, this includes securing an adequate workforce to allow for Avera's mission into the future.
Josh Hall
Principal at Sioux Falls CTE Academy
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Mr. Josh Hall is the Principal of the Career and Technical Education Academy in the Sioux Falls School District. Prior to his current position, Josh served as Assistant Superintendent (Sioux Falls School District), Middle School Principal (Sioux Falls School District), Middle School Assistant Principal (Sioux Falls School District), and Career and Technical Education Teacher (Rapid City, Brandon Valley, and Sioux Falls).
Josh earned his Bachelor's Degree (BSED) from Black Hills State University; Master's Degree in education (MSCI) from Black Hills State University; and Educational Specialist Degree (Ed. S.) in Secondary School Administration from the University of South Dakota. Josh also earned his School Superintendent certification through the University of South Dakota.
Outside of work, Mr. Hall enjoys spending time with his wife Heather, who is a Special Education teacher, and his three children Carter (13), Berklee (8), and Hadlee (2). Josh also enjoys golfing when he gets an opportunity to do so.
Josh earned his Bachelor's Degree (BSED) from Black Hills State University; Master's Degree in education (MSCI) from Black Hills State University; and Educational Specialist Degree (Ed. S.) in Secondary School Administration from the University of South Dakota. Josh also earned his School Superintendent certification through the University of South Dakota.
Outside of work, Mr. Hall enjoys spending time with his wife Heather, who is a Special Education teacher, and his three children Carter (13), Berklee (8), and Hadlee (2). Josh also enjoys golfing when he gets an opportunity to do so.
Josie Petersen
South Dakota Healthcare Workforce Center
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Josie Petersen is the Manager of the South Dakota Healthcare Workforce Center which is a part of the South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Rural Health. She oversees numerous programs including workforce development projects, the Healthcare Workforce Report, recommendations from the Governor's Primary Care Task Force, South Dakota Healthcare Workforce Initiative newsletters, and Emergency Medical Services leadership trainings. Prior to this work, Josie was the Primary Care Program Coordinator and has expertise in areas such as healthcare recruitment programs, federal healthcare designations, and community assessments. Josie graduated from the University of South Dakota. She enjoys living in Pierre with her husband and two children.
Tom Schmidt
First Premier Bankcard Vice President - Credit Services
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Tom has been involved in business for over 30 years. Twenty-eight of those years have been spent in supervision and managerial positions. Tom is a proactive advocate on multiple boards. He is passionate towards giving time to the common cause. One, in which HOSA, obviously, belongs.
Mikayla Titus
Center Director - NE SD AHEC
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Mikayla Titus is the Associate Director of Community Programs for Northeast South Dakota Area Health Education Center, NESD AHEC. Her role with NESD AHEC works to get youth interested in health occupations, secondary students interested in rural healthcare, and educational resources to rural communities. She has a passion for working towards sustainable health solutions for underserved areas which can be seen in her efforts with NESD AHEC for the rural and underserved communities in South Dakota.
Mikayla received her Bachelor of Science in Health Administration and Policy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a multidimensional understanding of health through her work and volunteer experiences. She enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering with various organizations in the Aberdeen community.
Mikayla received her Bachelor of Science in Health Administration and Policy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a multidimensional understanding of health through her work and volunteer experiences. She enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering with various organizations in the Aberdeen community.
Jocelyn Depatie
West River AHEC Coordinator
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Jocelyn Depatie is the West River AHEC Coordinator. She comes to WRAHEC with an extensive background in health care as a direct care professional coupled with a Master of Science in Higher Education. Among her responsibilities is engaging students, K-12, into the health careers pipeline. In addition, she fosters interest and engagement of post-secondary students and supports activities across Western South Dakota to connect future health professionals to its most underserved areas.
Jocelyn has called the Black Hills home for the better part of 20 years. She enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and all the wonders of the great outdoors. She has two wildly successful grown children and is blessed with two adorable granddaughters.
Jocelyn has called the Black Hills home for the better part of 20 years. She enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and all the wonders of the great outdoors. She has two wildly successful grown children and is blessed with two adorable granddaughters.
Melissa Ettswold
Associate Director of Programming SE AHEC
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Melissa Ettswold is the Associate Director of Programming for Southeast South Dakota Area Health Education Center, SESD AHEC. Her responsibilities include engaging K-12 students in healthcare occupations, placing post-secondary students in rural healthcare facilities, and providing disaster day training. She is a certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS), and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Melissa is married and has two sons. She also enjoys taking in a baseball or basketball game and watching her sons participate in their sporting and non-sporting events.
Wade Erickson
CEO-Horizon Health
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Mr. Erickson began his FQHC career after being hired in October 2000 to lead the Finance Department as the CFO for Horizon Health Care, Inc. In serving in the role of CFO, Mr. Erickson participated in multiple successful New Access Point and Service Expansions into dental and behavioral health grant applications as well as three Successor in Interest mergers. He was instrumental in growing the organization from a small program with seven locations and a budget of 2.5 million to a current program consisting of 32 locations with an annual budget of nearly 31 million. As the organization continued to grow, he played a critical role in Operations and Human Resources which eventually led to the development of the Human Resources Department and the hiring of a Human Resources Director as well as the hiring of Horizon's first Chief Operations Officer. Upon the retirement of the long time CEO, Mr. Erickson was hired as the new CEO for the organization on 4/1/2021. He is well respected by peers and colleagues in the Community Health Center world and is often relied upon to provide advice and mentorship to new health center leaders. He is responsible for overall management and leadership of the organization including implementation of policies established by the Board of Directors, planning and implementing the systematic and coordinated delivery of primary health care services across Horizon's 28,000 square mile service area, overseeing all personnel matters, appointing of a Senior Executive Team and delegating authority.
Lindsay Stroman
Workforce Development Coordinator with SDAHO
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Lindsay Stroman is the Workforce Development Coordinator at SDAHO, where she focuses on creating and executing strategies to meet the needs of SDAHO members concerning healthcare workforce supply, recruitment, and retention. She is also the Network Director for a HRSA Rural Health Network Development Grant awarded to SDAHO by FORHP in 2023. This grant aims to enhance healthcare access in rural South Dakota by establishing a comprehensive pipeline for essential healthcare workers, with high school students being a key target group. Additionally, Lindsay is a member of the Advisory Board for the USD Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program. Originally from Centerville, SD, she relocated to Sioux Falls after earning a Bachelor of Science from the USD School of Education. During her time at USD, she cheered for the Coyotes and volunteered as a Special Olympics coach. Currently pursuing an MBA, Lindsay is also a Certified Workforce Development Professional. Recently, she welcomed her son Lincoln in April 2024 and is adjusting to new motherhood. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys practicing Hot Yoga Sculpt and spending time outdoors with her family and friends.
Shelly Hegerle
Director of People & Culture with CHAD
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Shelly's role at CHAD includes assisting our community health centers (CHC's) in the Dakotas with workforce recruitment and retention efforts, pipeline education, and working with policy and partnership liaisons within the states to stay abreast of the changing workforce landscape.
Dr. Marie Lohsandt
Director of Nursing Student Services-SDSU
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Dr. Lohsandt's passion for student success, education, and workforce development spans over three decades. She has been a University Administrator for over 25 years, and formerly a K-12 School Superintendent and Executive Director of a Career Learning Center.
Marie earned her bachelor's degree from Dakota State University, her master's and doctorate degrees from the University of South Dakota and has also completed post-doctorate studies at the University of South Dakota. She is the Director of Nursing Student Services at South Dakota State University. Go Jackrabbits!
During her career she has served on numerous committees and boards, but the ones she enjoys the most provide opportunities to advocate for others including the Lake Area Domestic Violence Executive Board, Madison Housing & Redevelopment Commission, SD Higher Education Association, and she is a founding member of SD Association of College Career Centers. She looks forward to serving on the SDHOSA board to further its mission of developing young health care professionals in South Dakota.
Marie enjoys sports, nature, travel, home or do-it-yourself projects, recreational shopping, puttering on her acreage, and most of all, spending time with her young adult son (also a Jackrabbit!).
Marie earned her bachelor's degree from Dakota State University, her master's and doctorate degrees from the University of South Dakota and has also completed post-doctorate studies at the University of South Dakota. She is the Director of Nursing Student Services at South Dakota State University. Go Jackrabbits!
During her career she has served on numerous committees and boards, but the ones she enjoys the most provide opportunities to advocate for others including the Lake Area Domestic Violence Executive Board, Madison Housing & Redevelopment Commission, SD Higher Education Association, and she is a founding member of SD Association of College Career Centers. She looks forward to serving on the SDHOSA board to further its mission of developing young health care professionals in South Dakota.
Marie enjoys sports, nature, travel, home or do-it-yourself projects, recreational shopping, puttering on her acreage, and most of all, spending time with her young adult son (also a Jackrabbit!).
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