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.
A Century Strong: From the SDAHO Vault — Raising Standards and Building a Stronger Future
As we continue our Century Strong: From the SDAHO Vault series, the May installment brings together two important storylines from SDAHO’s history: the statewide effort to professionalize healthcare through the Basic Science Law of 1939, and the Association’s evolution as it entered its 15th year — a period marked by rising costs, wartime uncertainty, and the early development of health insurance in South Dakota.
Rural Initiatives: SDAHO Supporting Cardiac Ready Communities
The Rural Health Initiatives (RHI) team supports SDAHO members by securing external funding through grants and contracts that advance services in quality improvement, opioid stewardship, EMS, and workforce development.
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.
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.
Distinguished Service Award Nominations Open Through July 1
Each year, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) has the privilege of recognizing individuals whose leadership, compassion, and dedication make a lasting impact on health care across our state through the Distinguished Service Awards (DSA).
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.
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.
Your Next Top Hire May Already Be Part of Your Team
As part of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) workforce initiative, this article highlights a simple but powerful workforce strategy for rural healthcare organizations: growing talent from within.
SDAHO’s RHTP Resources Offer Centralized Access to Tools, Updates, and Support
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO), continues to support members navigating the Rural Health Transformation Project (RHTP)—a multi-year effort to expand access to care, strengthen the health care workforce, and ensure sustainable, high-quality health care across South Dakota’s rural communities.
A Century Strong: From the SDAHO Vault, the Dirty ’30s and the Birth of the Inter-Allied Council
For our April edition of A Century Strong: From the SDAHO Vault, we revisit one of the most innovative—and often overlooked—responses to the crushing challenges of the Great Depression. While 1933 brought relief to hospitals through the newly created Beverage Revenue Fund, it also sparked the formation of a unique collaborative effort: the Inter-Allied Council, an experiment in statewide coordination and shared problem-solving during one of the hardest decades in South Dakota history.
SDAHO Leadership in D.C.: 2026 Federal Priorities Now Available
Recently the SDAHO leadership team was on the ground in Washington, D.C., for the American Hospital Association Annual Membership Meeting and the LeadingAge Leadership Summit, representing South Dakota’s hospitals, post-acute care providers, and the communities they serve.
Chasing the Extraordinary: Jon Carmichael to Deliver Opening Keynote at SDAHO Rural Health Leaders Conference
Get ready to kick off this year’s Rural Health Leaders Conference with a truly unforgettable perspective. Opening keynote speaker Jon Carmichael brings a story that’s as breathtaking as it is inspiring – capturing a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse from 39,000 feet by daring to think beyond limits. His electrifying message will challenge conference attendees to embrace bold ideas, navigate uncertainty, and seize the defining moments that shape the future.
Discover On-Demand Education With SDAHO’s LifeCircle
SDAHO’s LifeCircle website offers a rich collection of on-demand education designed to support hospice, palliative care, advance care planning, and more. With pre-recorded webinars and education available dating back to 2009, it’s a convenient one-stop resource for members seeking timely, practical learning. LifeCircle’s on-demand webinars are available at no cost to members, though registration is required.
SDAHO From Hospitals to a Full Continuum
Throughout 2026, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is celebrating 100 years of impact. We’re marking this centennial by sharing the stories and historical milestones that define the association and health care in South Dakota. We recently wrapped up our 26th Annual Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference major event, but only a small chapter in our storied 100-year history, that will go down as one of the biggest milestones in our 100-year story.
Ryde Central Pilot Launches in Mobridge
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations HRET is pleased to announce that the first live hospital and EMS service with the new interfacility platform (Ryde Central) is Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics.
SDAHO Clinical Improvement Consultant to Present at Yankton Area Mental Wellness Conference
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is pleased to announce that Clinical Improvement Consultant Loretta Bryan, BSN, RN, CPHQ, will be presenting at the upcoming annual Yankton Area Mental Wellness Conference taking place June 3–4, 2026. This year’s conference is titled, “Honoring Growth: Advancing Mental Health for All” and will be held at the Yankton High School.
Investing in Rural Health Care’s Future at the 2026 Rural Health Leaders Conference
For a century, SDAHO has served as a cornerstone for South Dakota’s healthcare communities. As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, we aren’t just looking back at our legacy—we are looking forward to the next frontier.
Keeping the Momentum Going: South Dakota’s Health Care Workforce
Since launching the South Dakota Health Care Workforce Resource Center, one thing has become clear: people are using it—and it’s making an impact. From job seekers exploring opportunities to HR teams refreshing job descriptions, the site is helping connect real people to real communities that need them.