10 Reasons to Attend the 2026 Rural Health Leaders Conference
The countdown is on! The 2026 Rural Health Leaders Conference is just around the corner, and this year’s event promises to be one of the most exciting yet. With a new location, fresh perspectives, practical solutions, and plenty of opportunities to connect, there are countless reasons to join us in Pierre.
SDAHO Rural Health Leaders Conference Expands Professional Development With ACHE Session
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) looks forward to welcoming attendees to the 2026 Rural Health Leaders Conference, June 24–25 at the Ramkota Convention Center in Pierre. This year’s theme, A Century Strong: Charting the Next Frontier of Rural Health, sets the stage for forward-looking conversations, meaningful collaboration, and practical strategies to strengthen rural healthcare.
Essentia Health to Host Back Pain Seminar in Fargo
Essentia Health on Tuesday, June 16, will host a seminar in Fargo highlighting available surgical and non-surgical options for back pain. If your back pain limits your mobility and quality of life, this event is designed to help you understand your options and take the next step toward relief.
Free Community Class June 25: Understanding Dietary Fats with Dr. Fruehling
CHI Health St. Francis, in partnership with CHI Health Clinic: Nebraska Heart Institute, is offering a free community education session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25 in Conference Room 2/3 at the hospital. Dr. Erich Fruehling will present “The Fat Saga: Understanding Dietary Fats.”
Avera Queen of Peace, SDSU Partner on Respiratory Care
Avera Queen of Peace is partnering with the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Respiratory Care Program to provide respiratory therapy education and hands-on clinical training in Mitchell as part of an initiative to strengthen rural health care workforce development. This professional training year consists of respiratory-specific coursework, lectures, labs and clinical experiences.
NE-INBRE Announces 2026 Biomedical Research Scholars
In late May, the Nebraska Institutional Development Award Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (NE-INBRE) program welcomed a new cohort of undergraduate students from across Nebraska as they embark on their summer research experience.
SDAHO Provides In-Depth Education on Guardianship
Through the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) LifeCircle website, visitors can access comprehensive resources and training on guardianship and the role of guardians.
UNMC Celebrates More Than 1,000 Graduates at Commencement Ceremonies
Diplomas and certificates were conferred on more than 1,000 University of Nebraska Medical Center students during ceremonies held May 7 in Lincoln, Norfolk and Kearney and May 9 in Omaha and Scottsbluff.
Monument Health Investment Marks First Full Year of Graduates From West River Health Science Center
In its first full year of operation, the West River Health Science Center, a nursing pathway partnership between Black Hills State University and South Dakota State University, graduated 122 registered nurses across two classes. This milestone was made possible in part by Monument Health’s $2 million investment to expand the facility in 2022. Sixty-two of those graduates have committed to joining Monument Health.
USD Department of Social Work to Host Third Annual Mental Health Conference
The Department of Social Work at the University of South Dakota will host its third annual conference for mental health professionals from May 13 to 14 at the USD – Sioux Falls campus.
Workplace Safety Training Opportunities Available Through SDAHO
Is your organization doing everything it can to keep staff safe? Strengthen your workplace safety efforts with SDAHO’s comprehensive training resources—designed specifically for health care settings.
Scholarship Recipients Announced by CHI Health Good Samaritan
CHI Health Good Samaritan Foundation recently awarded $18,750 in scholarships to 20 area students working towards careers in health care.
Sanford Health to Offer Sports Physical Event in Watford City for Student-Athletes
Sanford Health is offering sports physical events for student-athletes to complete their sports physicals for the 2026-27 school season. Student-athletes are required to get an annual sports physical when participating in school-sanctioned sports and must have their physicals completed before the first day of practice for their sport.
Sanford Health Offering Sports Physical Events in Bismarck and Mandan for Student-Athletes
Sanford Health is offering sports physical events for student-athletes to complete their sports physicals for the 2026-27 school season. Student-athletes are required to get an annual sports physical when participating in school-sanctioned sports and must have their physicals completed before the first day of practice for their sport.
Sanford Bismarck Hosting Doc Talk on Relief Options for Foot and Ankle Pain
An expert from the Sanford Bismarck region will host a Doc Talk next week on foot and ankle pain, heel pain and toe arthritis.
University of South Dakota Names Betsy Becker, Ph.D., DPT, Dean of the School of Health Sciences
The University of South Dakota has announced the appointment of Betsy Becker, Ph.D., DPT, as the next dean of the School of Health Sciences. A distinguished clinician, educator and administrator, Becker returns to her alma mater to lead the school as its fourth dean since its establishment in 2008.
SDAHO-Backed Health Career Course Grows Through USD Partnership and Rising Student Interest
The first offering of the Health Career Exploration course was developed in partnership with the University of South Dakota (USD) and supported in part by grant funding from South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations Health Research and Trust (SDAHO HRET).
SDAHO Highlights Internal Expertise at the 2026 Rural Health Leaders Conference
Get ready to be inspired! The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is bringing the energy, insight, and expertise of our own team to the 2026 Rural Health Leaders Conference. Join us June 24–25, 2026, at our new location—the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Pierre, South Dakota—for a dynamic event centered around this year’s theme: A Century Strong: Charting the Next Frontier of Rural Health.
Sanford Health to Share Insights on AI, Workforce Transformation, and the Future of Care Delivery at Reuters Digital Health Summit
Sanford Health leaders will join healthcare executives, policymakers and technology innovators from across the country at Reuters Digital Health Summit May 20 – 21 in Chicago, to discuss how health systems are responsibly scaling AI and digital innovation to improve patient care, workforce sustainability and operational performance.
Sanford Fargo to Host Doc Talk Focused on Back Pain
Sanford Health Fargo is hosting a Doc Talk discussion to educate the public about back pain.