Colette Hesla has shared her account regarding the death of her husband, Chris Swen Hesla, following a public reprimand issued to Dr. Nielsen Howard Burns. The South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners disciplined Dr. Burns earlier this year after Colette filed a formal complaint. Chris Hesla, a prominent figure in the outdoors community and former executive director for the South Dakota Wildlife Federation, was transported by ambulance to Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre on August 11, 2022. He was seen by Dr. Burns in the emergency room that same day.
Colette Hesla, a registered nurse, discovered that her husband had a white blood cell count of 23.2 while in the emergency room, a clinical indicator of infection. Despite his condition, Dr. Burns discharged him from the emergency room. Chris Hesla was re-admitted the following day and eventually air-transported to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. He remained under intensive care for 47 days before he died on September 28, 2022, at the age of 61. His death certificate lists respiratory failure, septic shock, and pneumonia as the causes.
Following his death, Colette filed a complaint with the state Department of Health, which initially found no violations of regulations. She then turned to the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners in May 2024. After a 22-month investigation, the board issued a public reprimand to Dr. Burns. The disciplinary order concluded that the treatment provided to the patient fell below the standard of care. Dr. Burns, who has previously received a reprimand while a medical student, remains in practice and is currently listed as a physician at Winner Regional Health.
Colette Hesla continues to seek clarity on the timeline and effectiveness of the medical oversight process in South Dakota. She has contacted state officials to discuss the impact of the state's two-year civil statute of limitations on malpractice claims and the duration of investigative procedures. While she decided against pursuing a civil lawsuit, she maintains her focus on the board's findings and the need for accountability regarding medical standards in the state.