Two accept positions with Pioneer Memorial Long Term Care Services

Sharon Akland, RN, Irene, is the new Director of Nursing for Long Term Care Services at Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services, Viborg. DeAnn Szymonski, RN, Vermillion, has accepted a new position as Nurse EducatorQuality Monitor for Long Term Care Services.

Akland has served Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services in various leadership positions since 1964. Most recently, she served as Director of Patient Services. Szymonski was Director of Nursing at Bethesda in Beresford before joining Pioneer Memorial.

Akland is a graduate of Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing and has a two-year certification in Patient Care Administration from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband, Dave, have two adult children and live on a farm near Irene.

Szymonski, who received her RN degree from The University of South Dakota, is responsible for training new long term care employees, teaching classes, monitoring performance, and providing education where needed to maintain a high quality of care. Prior to joining Bethesda in 2000, she was a health care educator and consultant for Avera Lewis & Clark Health Education Agency in Yankton.

A native of Selby, Szymonski and her husband Jason have four children, and live in Vermillion.