Nurse manager Darcie Lee was recently named Horizon Health Care’s Director of Clinical Operations, a new position within the organization.
The Director of Clinical Operations position was created to form a cohesive and integrated clinical department dedicated to all Horizon service lines. She will work closely with medical and dental leadership to oversee clinical support teams in medical, dental, and behavioral health.
Darcie Lee, Director of Clinical Operations
“Being a part of a FQHC – we see a vulnerable population of patients who have needs that span across our three service areas: Behavioral health, dental, and primary care services,” said Lee. “I am excited to collaborate with our teams & explore the many opportunities to integrate the three service lines to meet the needs of our population.”
Her time as nurse manager coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and management of nursing and vaccine protocols created by the national health emergency. Alongside those efforts, Lee worked on projects to increase efficiencies in the Horizon organization including a comprehensive reorganization of the lab and X-ray processes.
“We are excited to have Darcie step into this new role for our organization,” said Misty Rudebusch, MPAS, PA-C, Horizon Health Care Medical Director. “She brings a wealth of knowledge to the position, and her motivation and desire to provide support and leadership for clinical staffs across the organization will be a tremendous asset.”
Creating a position that will oversee all service areas of Horizon allows more collaboration and a holistic approach to Horizon’s care initiatives.
“We know that physical, behavioral and dental health closely impact each other,” said Chief Dental Officer Michelle Scholtz. “Having a seasoned medical professional like Darcie in a position to oversee our three service areas will further solidify our comprehensive approach to caring for our communities.”
Lee graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. She joined Horizon Health Care in 2018 as an RN for De Smet Community Health Center and served as the nurse for the De Smet School. Prior to Horizon, she gained eight years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse at local hospitals.
Lee has used her passion for health and wellness to be involved with numerous committees in the De Smet community, such as: De Smet Wellness Coalition, De Smet Cardiac Readiness Community Committee, De Smet School COVID Taskforce, and was Girls on the Run coach for three years. She has also had the honor of being a participant in the EmBe Center for Nursing Workforce Leadership Program and Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership Program in the 2019-20 cohorts.
Lee’s new position will be located from Howard due to proximity to the Horizon administration building, but she will continue to reside in De Smet with her husband, Robert, and children, Everett, Rosie Jo, and Esme.
For over 40 years, Horizon Health Care has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and mental health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and mental health care needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through 110,000 patient visits annually in 31 community health centers in: Aberdeen, Alcester, Bison, Bryant, De Smet, Eagle Butte, Elk Point, Faith, Fort Thompson, Howard, Huron, Isabel, La Plant, Lake Preston, Martin, McIntosh, Mission, Plankinton, Wessington Springs, White River, Woonsocket, and Yankton. For more information, please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org.