Joe Kippley
Public Health Director
As the leader of the Sioux Falls Health Department, Joe oversees day-to-day operations, working alongside a dedicated team to protect and promote the health and well-being of the community.
The Sioux Falls Health Department provides a wide range of health services and programs, which include Falls Community Health, a public health laboratory, quality assurance for emergency medical services, health promotion and prevention, and the environmental health division, which oversees the inspection, licensing, permitting, and/or monitoring of:
- Food service establishments (including restaurants, food trucks, and grocery stores),
- In-home daycare providers,
- Water quality testing,
- Tattoo artists and establishments,
- Hotel and lodging,
- Sanitary and nuisance code enforcement,
- Disease vectors, including mosquito control,
- And more.
Joe was appointed Public Health director in May of 2024. He previously managed day-to-day operations across a wide array of healthcare fields including primary care, oncology, genetics, and cardiology at healthcare systems across the country.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics from the University of Notre Dame, a law degree from the University of South Dakota, and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Iowa.
Professional passion: Solving problems. I enjoy assessing situations and identifying practical opportunities for improvement. It is a never-ending process, but improving patient care or being more efficient with taxpayer dollars is always a rewarding feeling.
Best part of my job: Collaboration with community partners. We are blessed in Sioux Falls with outstanding healthcare facilities that make Sioux Falls a destination for people around the region. We also have great partnerships with other governmental entities and boards made of fellow community members that are all invested in making our community as healthy as possible. Education is a key component of public health, and we get to collaborate all the way from elementary schools on up to medical residency programs.
Personal interests: I have two daughters in elementary school, so I stay busy with their activities. I enjoy playing golf and spending time outdoors. I'm a big fan of Notre Dame athletics and try to make it to a football game each year.