Sister Colman Coakley

Biography:

Sister Colman began working as a bookkeeper at (Avera) McKennan, Sioux Falls, SD in 1952, and went on to become the business manager, Health Care Coordinator and Director of Pastoral Care. Sister Colman served as chair of Avera McKennan’s Board of Trustees from 1970 to 1989. Sister Colman became the first President of the Presentation Health System. Under her influence and leadership, the Health System grew from the Presentation Sisters’ four owned hospitals to a regional network with 18 hospitals, 14 long-term care facilities, assisted living and independent living senior apartment complexes and a home-care organization, as well as many other associated services and programs.
In 1997, Sister Colman was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame because of her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to health care in South Dakota. As a leader of one of the largest regional health care systems, she developed programs to share resources and expertise with small, rural facilities.
Sister Colman came to Aberdeen to volunteer at Avera St. Luke’s hospital for three years before returning to Sioux Falls to volunteer with the Hispanic Ministry. Sister Colman came to live at Presentation Convent in March 2012.

1952-1986 - McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD - Bookkeeper, Business Manager, Health Care Coordinator and Director of Pastoral Care
1986-1996 - Presentation Health System, Sioux Falls, SD - President
1997-1998 - Sioux Falls, SD - Volunteer
1998-2001 - St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD - Volunteer
2001-2002 - McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD - Volunteer
2002-2007 - Hispanic Ministry, Sioux Falls, SD - Volunteer