Meet Avera’s new chief medical officer

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Dr. Friedman has worked in emergency medicine for 20 years. But beginning next month, he’ll take over a new role as chief medical officer.

“I’ve been very fortunate, during my career here at Avera to serve in multiple different roles, currently as the clinical vice president of emergency medicine. And I’ve also been, in the past, chief of staff for the McKennan Medical Group. So that has given me a lot of opportunities to work beside my colleagues to develop into this position that I now am taking forward,” said Dr. Jared Friedman, incoming chief medical officer for Avera.

Friedman says he will use that experience to continue Avera’s legacy while moving the health care system forward.

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“The goals of my role in this position is just to continue the incredible legacy that we have at a Avera that started way back with our founding sisters, the Presentation and Benedictine sisters, that developed Avera McKennan hospital and have brought it to where it is today,” said Friedman.

Aside from overseeing patients, Friedman will be in charge of a large team of doctors and nurses.

“I think the goal of the entire leadership team at Avera McKennan is for the patients to have a great experience, but also for all of our staff and physicians to have a great work experience. And I think the culture that we have at Avera is very unique. And I think that’s what makes it a great place to have a job and to come to work every day to carry out the mission that we have to take care of patients,” said Friedman.

Friedman officially takes over as CMO on March 2nd.