PIERRE — South Dakota Department of Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon will be stepping out of that job after the beginning of next year. Malsam-Rysdon’s last day in that role is January 7th. She is departing as Health Secretary to enter work in the private sector. Malsam-Rysdon has been Health Secretary since 2015 and has served as a policy advisor to Governor Dennis Daugaard. She has held multiple roles in the Departments of Health, Social and Human Services including Secretary of the Department of Social Services. Governor Kristi Noem says Malsam-Rysdon has been a “steady hand” as Health Secretary. Malsam-Rysdon says she is thankful for the opportunity to lead the Health Department for the last seven years and for Noem’s leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic. Stepping in for Malsam-Rysdon will be Joan Adam of Pierre, who is currently Division Director for Administration in the Health Department. Adam has 20 years of service in the Health Department and also serves on the Pierre School Board.
