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Erica DeBoer’s journey didn’t start at South ��ֱ���� State University, but her decision to transfer to State is one that she says set her up for success. Recognizing the value of her education, DeBoer ’97 has taken the initiative to give back to the College of Nursing and SDSU. 

She was recognized during Hobo Week with the SDSU Alumni Association’s Legends and Leaders ��ֱ����, giving DeBoer the status of being a distinguished alumnus of SDSU.  

A distinguished career

It was always nursing for DeBoer. 

Since graduating from SDSU, she climbed the ranks at Sanford Health, starting as a nurse assistant with Sioux Valley Hospital (now Sanford) in 1996.  

DeBoer prides herself on being a lifelong learner and has shared spaces with nursing students and new employees since just six months after she received her nursing degree. She spent the majority of her time at the bedside in adult critical care, finding joy in taking on tough projects and building programs. 

Technology has been a big part of her journey, starting with electronic medical records, serving on the clinical informatics operations team as well as supporting large-scale implementation of smart pump technology and bar code scanning of medication to improve patient safety. 

Following the adoption of her son, she became a clinical educator in the Sanford ICU full time in 2006.  In 2010, DeBoer finished her master’s degree with an emphasis on clinical nurse leadership, the first cohort in South ��ֱ����. 

In 2019 she was promoted to senior executive director of clinal informatics and care management until 2021, when she took on the role of system vice president and chief nursing officer. 

The Sanford Health nursing practice DeBoer oversees is the largest division of the enterprise workforce supporting patient and resident care, including nearly 9,000 nurses across the post-acute, ambulatory and inpatient settings. 

DeBoer has also been involved in many professional organizations including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, as well as the American Association of Nursing Leadership, National League for Nursing Leadership Institute and Vizient System Nursing Executive Committee and serves as a board member of LifeScape. 

Alumni Involvement 

Following her time as a student at SDSU, DeBoer has stayed engaged and involved with the College of Nursing and the SDSU Alumni Association in various roles.  

“Erica DeBoer is a shining example of the caliber of individuals South ��ֱ���� State University produces and celebrates through the Legends and Leaders program,” said Mary Anne Krogh, dean of the College of Nursing, in her nomination letter. “Her distinguished career, unwavering commitment to excellence and profound impact on SDSU make her a truly deserving candidate for this honor.” 

Some projects she is proud of include starting a formal mentorship program through the SDSU Alumni Association and working with the college to revamp curriculum for its clinical nurse leader program. 

DeBoer has served on the SDSU Alumni Association’s board of directors since 2016 and is now immediate past chair.  

“It's been motivating to work with Dean Krogh and the other professors in the College of Nursing. We have had the opportunity to develop how best to prepare our nurses for the future,” DeBoer said. “Nursing is a valuable profession and will always be essential. How we do our work must change in order to meet other nations’ health care needs.”  

DeBoer served on the Legends and Leaders selection board for many years. Her knowledge of how intense the selection process is made receiving the award even more special, and surprising.  

“I also understand in reading the binders worth of information on individuals whose names are put forward every year that I am part of a very elite group, and it's almost indescribable,” she said.  

She also recognizes most individuals selected for this award are retired. DeBoer, still working at Sanford Health, says she has a lot more work to do.  

“I have to attribute much of my success to my family roots and the grit I learned growing up,” she said. “Additionally, the unending support that my husband and family provide makes the commitment to my profession possible.”