Originally from Huron, Dr. Ronald Place graduated from the University of South Dakota (USD) with a Chemistry Degree, a member of the Phi Betta Kappa Honor Society, along with an ROTC commission. He then graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society. Dr. Place completed his General Surgery internship and residency training at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC), Ft. Lewis WA, and fellowship training in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas.
Dr. Place was a full-time surgeon for the first half of his military career, including combat deployments to Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) twice, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo). He gradually transitioned to full-time executive leadership, leading at every level with the military medical system; including surgical department chief, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Operating Officer, CEO of two community hospitals, and CEO of two regions. He completed his nearly 37 years of military service with the rank of Lieutenant General as the 3rd Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The DHA is a joint integrated combat support agency that leads all non-combat military medical facilities, public health, medical education, medical research, and the TRICARE Health Plan..
Dr. Place is now the Regional President and CEO of Avera McKennan. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Link Community Triage Center, the Avera Heart Hospital, and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce—all in Sioux Falls, SD. He also serves on the Patriot Support Board for Universal Health Services, the South Dakota Workforce Scholarships Board, and the Advisory Board for the USD Beacom School of Business.
SDARL Welcomes Keynote Speaker,