Charles Hart

CARING FOR THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY

1949 • CATEGORY

MEDICAL • RESIDING

RAPID CITY, SD • NOMINATED BY

JOHN BARLOW

SD HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE: CLASS OF 2016 Growing up and educated in Miller, South Dakota, Charles was always thankful that his parents, Cletus (an International Harvester dealer and banker), Louise (his wonderful, caring mother), and siblings Jim and Carolyn would always encouraged him to explore opportunities that seemed out of reach to a youngster from small town South Dakota.

He credits his early education and the wonderful teachers he had in the small, progressive Miller school system. Elementary years included the opportunity to learn Spanish and German, while high school provided the opportunities to participate in numerous extracurricular activities — experiences that gave him the confidence to expand and explore education and travel. His parents emphasized these were doors to opportunities and options with lifelong endeavors.

“You learn as much from other people and cultures as you do from textbooks”, they said.

Continuing his education at the University of Notre Dame, Charles became interested in medicine after spending a summer in Tacambaro, Mexico for Christian International for the Lay Apostolate (CILA), working with the local doctor and teaching English to 4th and 5th graders.

Post college he attended the two-year University of South Dakota School of Medicine (USDSOM) and the University of Minnesota to finish his medical degree and Family Practice residency. At USDSOM he found professors who encouraged students to explore all areas of medicine from rural to research. One of the most satisfying and educational experiences Charles had was a summer research program at the Haight-

Ashbury Medical Clinic in San Francisco serving heroin addicts returning from Vietnam.

After medical school, Charles married his beautiful wife of 47 years, Kathryn – a Registered Nurse, who he met at the University of Minnesota. They have two daughters, Betsy (engaged to Will Mayo) and Karen (married to Cortlands Barnes), with two grandchildren.

Charles began practicing medicine in Vail, Colorado, where he developed an interest in comprehensive medical care and administration. These became a constant part of his continuing education. In Colorado and South Dakota he was always active and took leadership roles in medical staff, hospital, and state medical affairs. In 1981, Charles was named the Colorado medical representative for a Rotary Group Study Exchange to South Africa spending six weeks studying their healthcare system.

After 14 years of practicing Family Practice and Emergency Medicine, Charles transitioned to full-time medical administration at Regional Health in Rapid City, South Dakota with an emphasis on medical staff-board relations and quality of care. He continued his education receiving a Bush Fellowship to attend the University of Wisconsin, receiving a Master of Administrative Medicine. Understanding all sides of issues and the art of compromise were valuable lessons learned.

As CEO of Regional Health, his goals were to develop a comprehensive medical care system that provided access to quality care for a diverse, economically and geographically challenged region. To accomplish this, he developed a caring and energized team that resulted in expansion, mergers and partnerships with other healthcare systems, educational institutions, communities, and social organizations. He is especially proud of the development of the Rapid City Crisis Intervention Center, Rapid City Community Health Center, Hospice House, Sanford School of Medicine West River Expansion and Medical Student Scholarship Fund, Western Dakota Technical School programs, and partnerships with Avera Health.

At the national level, Charles was involved with Premier Inc., a healthcare improvement company of 4,400 US hospitals and health systems. As Quality Committee Chairman, he worked very closely with the US Department of Health and Human Services and the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care to develop their Quality of Care programs. Charles was the Board’s Vice-Chairman, and he was instrumental in taking the company public (PINC). He best remembers the knowledge he gained from meetings with the healthcare system leaders of Scotland, Denmark, and Sweden. In Scotland, he presented the healthcare plan for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally titled “A Planned Disaster.”

Charles also became very active with the 340B Health federal drug program which provides drug discounts to uninsured and Medicaid patients. He is forever thankful to the South Dakota Congressional delegation for its continued support of this program.

Charles was also a member of multiple community and state boards, as well as three bank boards. He finds his work on the South Dakota Community Foundation Board most rewarding.

Charles is forever indebted to the many people who helped him through his career, especially his Board Chairpersons and members, mentors: John Barlow MD, Ray Hillenbrand, Dan Landguth, John Porter, and his wife Kathryn, all people who gave unconditional support and critical feedback. His advice to youth is to continue to learn, stay engaged, follow your passion, and learn from your mentors.

Fun Facts about Charles:

• Instead of exchanging wedding rings, Charles and Kathryn bought a VW van and spent six weeks backpacking in Alaska and down the West Coast.

• Charles was the summer Medical

Doctor for the US Olympic

Hockey team that trained in Vail

Colorado.

• Both of his daughters, Karen and

Elizabeth, were Governors of

South Dakota Girls State.

• Charles was Board Certified in both Family Practice and

Emergency Medicine.

• His grandchildren call him ”Charky” in reference to his boyhood name “Chark.”