Aug. 2, 2024 —Lakewood Health System has welcomed two new members to its System Board: Daniel Douts and Sarah Jennissen.
Douts started his three-year term on May 1st, replacing Board member, Kevin Nelson, who retired after serving for six years. As the owner/agent at Daniel Douts State Farm in Staples, Douts has lived in the Staples community for eight years with his wife, Marci, and their three sons, ages 6, 4 and 1. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors, fishing, hunting and golfing. Douts is the Chair of the Staples Motley Area Community Foundation, he volunteers with Meals on Wheels, and coaches t-ball and youth baseball. “Lakewood is such a great asset to our local communities and has a strong history, and an exciting future. Raising a family in the area, I wanted to be part of that future, so when the opportunity came to join the Board, I took it.”
Jennissen started her three-year term on July 1st, replacing Board member, Stephanie Jordahl, who resigned after serving three years. A 14-year resident of Staples, Jennissen works as a nursing instructor at Central Lakes College (CLC). She volunteers with her children’s various sports programs, and at church with the Awana program, serving on the governing board and teaching adult bible studies. Jennissen recently began training as a client advocate for the Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center. “As a registered nurse and nurse educator, I’m passionate about patients receiving and accessing excellent care, and Lakewood provides that. Speaking as a patient and how my family has been cared for at Lakewood, as well as in my professional work bringing CLC nursing students to Lakewood for clinical instruction, it is a great environment. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my community and bring my perspectives to the Board as a nurse, educator, patient and community member.” Jennissen and her husband, Steve, have four children: Sam, 21; Grace, 19; Josie, 16; and Liam, 13. During the school year, Jennissen spends her free time watching her kids in the gym or on the field.
The Lakewood System Board is tasked with various responsibilities, such as hiring and retaining the CEO, ensuring quality care, developing the mission, vision and strategic plan, overseeing the financial position, and developing strong Board and medical staff relationships.