06/17/2026
Renee Boehrns has been selected as the Employee of the Month for the South Dakota Human Services Center in Yankton.
Boehrns, a Physician Assistant, has been a dedicated member of the HSC team for over 25 years. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated a commitment to providing exceptional medical and psychiatric care all the while earning the respect of our colleagues for her professionalism, compassion, and consistency.
Originally from Garretson, South Dakota, Boehrns has a unique and accomplished background. She is a scuba diver and served as a limited co pilot alongside her late husband, learning through both self study and direct instruction. For 18 years, she and her husband also raised registered quarter horses. Her colleagues note that she brings that same mix of discipline, curiosity, and dedication to her work at HSC.
Boehrns’s nominators emphasized her commitment to patients and staff. “Renee’s service to HSC for the past twenty years is greatly appreciated. She is hardworking, dependable, and always willing to share her expertise and wisdom for the benefit of patient care. She consistently puts the patients’ best interests first, even coming in on her days off to ensure they receive the care they need. She is fair, thoughtful, and truly cares about her colleagues as well.” They added that many providers at HSC have learned from her over the years and look up to her dedication.
When asked what she enjoys most about her role, Boehrns shared that she has always been proud of HSC’s strong advocacy for individuals diagnosed with mental illness. She values the opportunity to evaluate and treat patients holistically, meeting both their medical and mental health needs. She also expressed deep appreciation for the camaraderie among staff and the shared mission of providing each patient with respectful, professional, and compassionate care.
Outside of work, Boehrns enjoys gardening, traveling, her book club, and spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
