About the Foundation

Brookings Health System Foundation, created on December 30, 2009, was formed to help build and support Brookings Health System. It is a 501(c)(3) organization, legally separate from the health system, and is governed by its own board of trustees.

Our Mission

Inspiring people to support Brookings Health System through philanthropy, recognizing the vital role of healthcare in sustaining quality of life in our community.

Foundation Board of Trustees & Leadership

Karin Emery, Chairperson

Karin Emery

Chairperson

Joshua Warne, Vice Chairperson

Joshua Warne

Vice Chairperson

Amber Hemmestad, Secretary/Treasurer

Amber Hemmestad

Secretary/Treasurer

Rod King

Rod King

Jesyna Rausch

Jesyna Rausch

Vivian Georgalas

Vivian Georgalas

Jason Merkley, Brookings Health System CEO

Jason Merkley

Brookings Health System CEO

Brittany Venekamp, Foundation Director

Brittany Venekamp

Foundation Director


Foundation News

Aiming to Inspire Health Fundraiser & Raffle to Raise Funds for Local Healthcare Initiatives

Brookings Health System Foundation will hold the 17th annual Aiming to Inspire Health fundraiser, presented by First Bank & Trust, on Thursday, Aug. 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Brookings Gun Club, rural Brookings, S.D. Proceeds from the 2026 sporting clay fundraiser and will support local healthcare initiatives.

Rausch and Georgalas Join Brookings Health System Foundation Board

Jesyna Rausch and Vivian Georgalas were elected to the Brookings Health System Foundation board of trustees at the December 2025 board meeting. They will both serve a two-year term through December 2027. 

Medary Acres Greenhouses Helps Grow Funds for a New Ambulance

For the third consecutive year, the Darnall family of Medary Acres Greenhouses is answering an important emergency call: inspiring others to give to Brookings Health System Foundation. As the matching gift sponsor for the Foundation’s South Dakota Day of Giving campaign, Medary Acres Greenhouse hopes to grow funds that will help purchase a new advanced life support ambulance.