Please welcome Dr. Joseph Rees as our new Medical Director. Dr. Rees officially began July 1, 2020, however, he previously served as a resource for us in many ways. He screened our nursing staff for N95 fit testing protocol, and provided telehealth services to our skilled nursing center since January.

As the Senior Care Medical Officer at Avera eCARE, Joseph Rees, DO, began his career at Avera McKennan Medical Center and University Center as a Hospitalist in Sioux Falls. While practicing at Avera McKennan, Dr. Rees served as Co-Director of the Internal Medicine Department. He provided over-site to the internal medical residents and students for Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota. Dr. Rees attended Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He received his Doctor of Osteopathy and completed his internal medicine residency and Geriatric fellowship at Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota.

Dr. Rees fills the shoes of Dr. Fred Thanel, MD, who retired at the end of June. Dr. Rees has been seen rounding in the licensed care areas and has attended July’s Quality of Life and Quality Assessment Performance Improvement meetings. We are happy to have him join the Dow Rummel family.  We look forward to his presence and medical leadership in the years to come. Welcome, Dr. Rees!