Bryan Slaba, CEO of Wagner Community Memorial Hospital - Avera has been named one of 60 rural hospital CEOs to know in 2019 by Becker's Healthcare.

Recipients of the honor were chosen from nominations submitted to Becker's Healthcare. CEOs named to the list lead hospitals that are consistently recognized as top institutions by the National Rural Health Association, American Hospital Association and HIMSS.

Slaba joined Wagner Community Memorial Hospital - Avera in 2007 as CFO and became CEO in 2008. As noted in the report, under his leadership the hospital has expanded capabilities and partnerships, added a rehabilitation and primary care clinic area, and partnered with the Indian Health Services and Yankton Sioux Tribe to establish an eight-chair dialysis center. In 2017, the American Hospital Association awarded Slaba its Rural Hospital Leadership Award for improving health delivery.