Dr. Ronald Place Set to Inspire Mount Marty University Graduates at the Yankton 2024 Commencement

Dr. Ron Place will give the commencement address to the undergraduate and graduate students at Mount Marty University on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Place’s interest in the medical field all started at the young age of eight while preparing to undergo an appendectomy. He was curious and fascinated with the science and skill needed to perform his operation.

This led Place to become a board certified surgeon in both General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery after obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota (USD). “I like hard things,” said Place, “and I like to accomplish hard things. It’s about finding those things that are interesting to me, applying those gifts God has given me, and parlaying those into something exceptional and another way I can challenge myself in my life."

While at USD, Place earned his ROTC commission in the U.S Army. He was a full-time surgeon for the first half of his military career, including multiple combat deployments. Place was in the guidance counselor’s office in high school when he saw an article about the Health Professions Scholarship Program, which is a military scholarship program for medical school. “It started out transactional, but I learned the value of our country, and I learned about the value of the American way of life through service to the military.” He served nearly 37 years and ended his time of service as a lieutenant general and the third Director of the Defense Health Agency.

Place is a clinical professor of surgery at both the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Natural Sciences at Mount Marty University. “One of the things I find particularly meaningful is not just the mission statement but mission and action of Mount Marty where there is a blending of academic effort with career orientation.” Place appreciates how Mount Marty teaches students to think in a way that not only gets them the jobs they are desiring, but also prepares those students to lead in that job.

Dr. Place is now the Regional President and CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center in Sioux Falls. He also serves on many leadership boards. “I think one of the advantages we have with Avera and Mount Marty,” said Place, “is we both have a tie to the Benedictine… and specifically through the Benedictine, the idea of philosophy.” He went on to explain the notion of respectful curiosity, and how asking questions can challenge oneself and help the organization operate even better.

“I was stunned,” Place mentions about being this year’s commencement speaker, “and I feel very privileged.” One of the messages he plans to convey to the graduates is to be open to opportunities in their professional careers. “My hope is that in some form or fashion I can stimulate thought, stimulate conversation, and stimulate action in at least some of the graduates in a positive way.”

The Yankton undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies start Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm respectively in Cimpl Arena at Mount Marty University. Program and live stream details can be found at mountmarty.edu/commencement.

###

ABOUT MOUNT MARTY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1936 by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.