David C. Link

David Link retired in 2015 after serving in senior executive leadership positions for Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, South Dakota for over three decades. 

Mr. Link received his master’s in business administration from the University of South Dakota.  He was a Bush Leadership Fellow and received his master’s degree in Hospital and Health Care Administration from the University of Minnesota.  Mr. Link has been a central figure in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, research and development for Sanford Health and, among other things, is responsible for the Sanford Initiatives. 

Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in the Dakotas.  It is one of the largest health systems in the nation with 43 hospitals and nearly 250 clinics in nine states and three countries.  Sanford Health’s 27,000 employees, including 1,400 physicians, make it the largest employer in the Dakotas.   Sanford Health serves as the premier regional health system between Minneapolis and Denver and is the largest rural health care provider in the United States.

Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford have allowed for several initiatives, including global children’s clinics, genomic medicine and specialized centers researching cures for type 1 diabetes, breast cancer and other diseases. 

Mr. Link is involved in many community associations.  Current board and leadership positions include the Global Interdependence Center Advisory Board, Enterprise 605, South Dakota EPSCoR/REACH Committee, the South Dakota Symphony and the South Dakota Research and Commercialization Council.