Deanna Larson Appointed Chief Operating Officer of Children’s Home Society

Posted on August 23, 2023

Deanna Larson has joined Children’s Home Society of South Dakota as Chief Operating Officer after serving in an interim capacity.

“Deanna’s background as a Children’s Home Society board member and longtime leader at Avera and Mayo Health Systems gives her invaluable perspective,” says CEO Michelle Lavallee. “She is well qualified to continue driving our operational initiatives, including the application of digital resources and technology to create efficiencies and improve service to the people we serve.”

During her time as Interim Chief Operating Officer, Larson has proven instrumental in implementing after hours, weekend and on-call pay differentials to improve employee satisfaction and retention. She is also working closely with Children’s Home Society processes, structure and technology.

Larson says, “I am very engaged with the organization, and I see opportunities to make Children’s Home Society an even more responsive and effective provider, as well as a national leader in providing therapeutic care for the families we serve as we help them transition and succeed.”

A senior executive, Larson has more than 30 years of experience in various healthcare roles. She held multiple leadership roles at Mayo and Avera in behavioral health, acute care, critical care and home care. Larson spent more than 15 years as the Vice President of Quality and Innovation for the Avera system. Recently she served as President and Chief Executive of Avera’s eCare platform, which is now one of the world’s most extensive telemedicine networks of its kind.

Larson was named Woman of the Year by the American Telemedicine Association for exceptional character and leadership, and subsequently served on its Board of Directors. 

She is a former examiner for the prestigious Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award.

Deanna and her husband Dan have three grown children and six grandchildren.