Avera Health’s CEO to retire

Avera Health’s long-time President and CEO, John Porter, has announced plans to retire. “John has had an amazing 44-year career with Avera.

He has been pivotal in the formation of our health system, its tremendous growth over the past four decades, and the development of innovative programs,” said Sr. Mary Kay Panowicz, Avera System Members Chair.

The System Members are comprised of six Sisters, three from each of the two religious orders that sponsor Avera — the Benedictine Sisters of Yankton and the Presentation Sisters of Aberdeen.

This group provides guidance and direction to the leadership of Avera Health.

“We feel blessed to have had John’s partnership and collaboration in our health ministry. He has truly been a remarkable leader.

“Over the coming days and months we will celebrate Avera’s many accomplishments achieved under his leadership,” said Sr. Joan Reichelt, Avera System Members Vice Chair and Executive Vice President of Culture at Avera.

Porter will stay in his current role until December 2018, or until his successor is selected.

“It’s been a unique privilege to be at the helm of Avera Health over the past four decades. Next December, I will be turning 70 years old, so I feel that now is the right time for me to begin taking steps toward my retirement and helping Avera to make this important transition,” Porter said.