Ben Meyerink, MD of Sioux Falls became the 143rd president of the South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA) during the organization’s annual meeting Friday, May 29 in Sioux Falls. Outgoing president Keith Hansen, MD presented the presidential medallion to Dr. Meyerink at the association’s Annual Awards & Scholarship Recognition Dinner at The Catlin downtown. He first joined the SDSMA as a medical student member in 2014 and became an actively practicing physician member in 2021.
Originally from Platte, Dr. Meyerink received his medical degree from USD SSOM and completed his residency training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. After residency he returned home to South Dakota and practices in Sioux Falls at Avera Medical Group Family Medicine 69th & Cliff. He holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Family Medicine at USD SSOM. “It is a privilege to lead our state’s physicians in elevating patient care and supporting those who deliver it,” said Dr. Meyerink. “I am eager to collaborate with doctors across all specialties as we unite to confront the most pressing challenges facing healthcare today.”
The Board of Directors members for 2026-27 are:
- President – Ben Meyerink, MD – Sioux Falls
- President-Elect – Megan Smith, MD – Burke
- Vice President – Deepak Goyal, MD, MBA – Rapid City
- Secretary-Treasurer – Mandi Greenway Bietz, MD – Mitchell
- At-large Director – Sarah Flynn, MD – Sioux Falls
- At-large Director – Ty Hanson, DO – Aberdeen
- At-large Director – Brian Wilson, DO – Rapid City
- Policy Council Chair – Laura Hofert, MD – Madison
- Immediate Past President – Keith Hansen, MD – Sioux Falls
- AMA Delegate – Robert Allison, MD – Fort Pierre
- AMA Alternate Delegate – Robert Summerer, DO – Madison
SDSMA Award Recipients
The SDSMA presented awards to recipients at the Annual Awards & Scholarship Dinner on Friday.
- The SDSMA’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes a physician or lay person who has been of outstanding service to the medical profession in South Dakota. This year the Distinguished Service Award recipient is Matthew Simmons, MD of Rapid City.
- The Outstanding Young Physician Award was presented to Sara Marroquin, MD of Sioux Falls. This award is given to a young physician under 40 or within the first eight years of professional practice after residency and fellowship training. This physician is recognized for outstanding achievements, dedication and service to the community and the SDSMA at the local, state, or national levels.
- The SDSMA’s Community Service Award is presented each year to a physician who separates himself or herself through outstanding work in the area of community affairs. This year the award was given to Amy Lueking, MD of Pierre.
- The Young at Heart Award is presented to a physician who has inspired young physicians as a mentor, role model and leader. This year’s recipient is William Dendinger, MD of Vermillion.
- Jen Tinguely, MD, MPH of Sioux Falls is the recipient of the SDSMA’s Past President’s Award. This award is presented each year to the immediate past president of the SDSMA in recognition of their many years of work and dedication to the SDSMA.
- Robert Allison, MD of Fort Pierre is the recipient of the Special Presidential Award. This award is chosen by the SDSMA president to recognize the recipient’s contributions to the medical profession.
- Justin Bell of Fort Pierre is the recipient of the Friend of Medicine Award. As a dedicated lobbyist representing SDSMA, he received this award in recognition of his contributions serving as an effective advocate for health care and the medical profession.
- The Copic Humanitarian Award honors a physician for volunteer medical services and contributions to their community. Titus Weller, MD of Pierre is the recipient of this year’s award. The award recognizes individuals who unassumingly volunteer outside the spectrum of their day-to-day lives. The recipient of the award designates a $10,000 donation from Copic to be provided to a health care-related 501(c)(3) organization in South Dakota. Dr. Weller has chosen Avera Foundation – St. Mary’s as the donation recipient.
- Eleven physicians were recognized with the SDSMA’s 50-Year Award. Physicians who received this award are: Gary Carlson, MD of Rapid City; William Dendinger, MD of Vermillion; George Nicholas, MD of Huron; Eugene Hoxtell, MD of West Richland, Washington; Thomas Krafka, MD of Rapid City; Gregory Magnuson, MD of Sioux Falls; John Malm, MD of Gregory; Sam Mortimer, Sr., MD of Beulah, Wyoming; Rodney Parry, MD of Sioux Falls; Mary Slattery, MD of Sioux Falls; and C. Roger Stoltz, MD of Sioux Falls. These physicians became licensed to practice medicine a half-century ago and have contributed greatly to the medical profession.
