Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon stepping down

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon announced Friday that she will be departing from the Noem administration as Heath Secretary, a role she has filled since 2015.

“Kim has been a steady hand as our Secretary of Health,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I have appreciated her help and partnership during unprecedented times. We will miss having her on the team, and we wish her all the best.”

She previously served as senior advisor to Governor Dennis Daugaard, Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Deputy Secretary of Social Services, and Director of the Divisions of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to lead the Department of Health the last seven years, and for Governor Noem’s leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon. “The employees of the Department of Health are some of the best public servants in the state, and I am grateful for their hard work on behalf of people in South Dakota.”

Before her work for the state of South Dakota, Malsam-Rysdon worked to help people with disabilities live and work in their communities.

In her place, Joan Adam, the current Division Director for Administration at the DOH, will serve as the Interim Secretary of Health.

Joan has worked for the DOH for a combined 20 years where she has served as Division Director for Administration since 2010. She also oversees the SD Public Health Laboratory, Correctional Healthcare Services, the Offices of Vital Records and Health Statistics, and Health Information Technology.

Joan and her husband, Karl, live in Pierre where they raised five children.

Secretary Malsam-Rysdon’s last day as Health Secretary will be January 7, 2022.