Meet the Staff
Mark B. Deak
Executive Director
Mark represents SDHCA at both the state and federal levels of government and directs all SDHCA's services.
Mark is an attorney focusing primarily on Government Relations. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Speech & Communications from Macalester College. He received the Degree of Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law.
Mark has represented associations at all levels of government and he has worked with numerous health care organizations.
Lori Tracy
Assistant Executive Director
Lori is a licensed nursing home administrator.
She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Administration from the University of South Dakota. She is the staff person who works very closely with the Councils and various disciplines in the Centers. She plans all the educational offerings through the South Dakota Health Care Association.
She also serves as the Executive Secretary for the North Central Society for Post-Acute and Long Term Care Medicine (NCSPALTC). SDHCA provides all the administrative duties for NCPALTC and performs educational offerings.
Brett Hoffman
Director of Public Policy
& Communications
Brett develops SDHCA publications including Updates and Legislative Alerts, and implements useful tools for Member communications and services.
He also compiles and manages regulatory and operational data for Members in a variety of areas, and designs surveys to collect useful information.
He has a background in health care communications and legislative affairs. Brett holds an M.A. in Political Science from the University of South Dakota and a B.A. in English from Arizona State University.
LuAnn Severson
Director of Public Affairs
& Professional Development
LuAnn is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls where she received her Bachelor of Science Degrees in Social Work and Sociology.
She was instrumental in applying and acquiring the state RFP for the National Nurse Aide Testing Assessment Program for South Dakota working closely with the SD Dept of Health, SD Board of Nursing along with the testing corporation.
LuAnn coordinates the SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Art Show, Century Club℠, Corporate Membership, Spring Institute and Fall Convention Exhibitors, SDHCA Annual Report, Volunteer/Scholarship programs, SDHCA Career Center, and other community/Member outreach efforts. LuAnn is also responsible for researching resource options for Inservice Training Coordinators and promotes professional development to Members.