Sanford Health Awarded $2.3 Million NIH Grant for Kidney Research
Sanford Health researcher, Kamesh Surendran, Ph.D., and his lab at Sanford Research, were recently awarded a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding will support Dr. Surendran's lab in studying kidney development and disease by determining the molecular basis by which diverse cell types of the kidney develop and are maintained.
SDAHO Honors 2026 Distinguished Service Award Recipients
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) proudly recognized the recipients of its 2026 Distinguished Service Awards during the 100th Annual Convention, held September 16–18 in Sioux Falls.
Building What's Next: Supporting Rural Health Care Through Facility Modernization
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is proud to recognize Journey Construction, a Premium Associate Member and trusted partner in healthcare construction.
SDAHO Recognizes 2026 Affiliate Society and Partner Award Recipients
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) celebrated leadership, service and achievement across South Dakota's health care community during the Awards Luncheon at the 100th Annual Convention.
Heritage Bank Sioux Falls Rebrands as Physician Bank Headquarters
Heritage Bank, N.A. announced recently that its downtown Sioux Falls location will be rebranded as Physician Bank, establishing the office as the headquarters of its growing national banking brand dedicated exclusively to physicians and medical professionals.
Sanford Chief Transformation Officer to Join Newsweek AI Health Summit
Tommy Ibrahim, M.D., MBA, MHA, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Sanford Health, will join national healthcare and research leaders at the Newsweek AI Health Summit Sept. 23 in New York City.
Hard Hats with Heart Names 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Team
A coalition of construction and industry leaders is coming together to champion workforce health through the 2026 Sioux Falls Hard Hats with Heart campaign. Led by Event Chair Megan Barkley with L. G. Everist, Inc. and an Executive Leadership Team of local business and community leaders, the initiative supports the American Heart Association's efforts to help workers build healthier habits, increase awareness of cardiovascular disease risk factors and strengthen emergency preparedness across the industry.
Avera, SDSU and USD Establish Statewide NIH Research Partnership
The National Institutes of Health awarded $11,090,204 over five years to establish the South Dakota Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research (SD-ACT), a statewide partnership among Avera Research Institute, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.
Stroke Rehab Should Start Early and Address Physical, Cognitive and Mental Health
A stroke can change life in an instant, affecting everything from walking and speaking to memory, mood and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Recovery often continues for months or even years as survivors of stroke work to regain independence and quality of life. A new guideline from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, emphasizes that every person who has a stroke should receive a personalized assessment and begin rehabilitation during their hospital stay once they are medically stable, supported by a team of specialists who can address physical, cognitive, communication and emotional challenges throughout recovery. The 2026 Guideline for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery was published today in the Association’s peer-reviewed scientific journal Stroke.
Three Weeks to Go: Meet Butters and Recharge at SDAHO's Annual Convention
We're just three weeks away from SDAHO's 2026 Annual Convention, September 16–18 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center! If you haven't registered yet, now is the time to do so, and join us as we celebrate A Century Strong: Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future.
A Century Strong: From the SDAHO Vault – Fifty Years of Change
Last month, from The SDAHO Vault we looked back at the first 25 years of the South Dakota Hospital Association, from its beginnings in 1926 through 1951. This month, we're opening the vault again and moving ahead 50 years — from 1952 to 2001.
Avera Relaunches 'Ask the Question' Suicide Prevention Campaign
During September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month, Avera has launched its Ask the Question public service campaign for the fifth year.
Same Filter Rating, Dramatically Different Performance Results
The maintenance supervisor placed two air filters on the workbench.
At first glance, they looked identical.
Same size.
Same efficiency rating.
Ophthalmology Limited Expands Surgery Center, Adds Neuro-Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology Limited is celebrating an exciting new chapter with the expansion of its Eye Surgery Center and the addition of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus services. This fall, the practice will welcome healthcare partners and community members to a special open house, offering guests an opportunity to tour the expanded facility, meet members of the team, and learn more about the growing range of specialized eye care services available close to home.
Sanford USD Medical Center Named to Becker's 100 Great Hospitals
Sanford USD Medical Center has been named to the Becker's Healthcare list of 100 Great Hospitals in America. The Sioux Falls medical center is the only hospital in the state of South Dakota to be named to the list.
Vance Thompson Vision Welcomes Aaron M. Ricca, MD, and Return of Retina Services
VanceThompson Vision is pleased to announce the addition of Aaron M. Ricca, MD, and the return of retina care to their practice. Dr. Aaron M. Ricca is an established, board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in vitreoretinal disease.
Seven Sanford Hospitals Earn National Heart Attack Care Awards
Seven Sanford Health hospitals across four states have earned recognition from the American College of Cardiology. Sanford USD Medical Center in South Dakota, Sanford Medical Center Fargo and Sanford Bismarck Medical Center in North Dakota, Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Minnesota, and Marshfield Medical Center and Marshfield Medical Center -Weston in Wisconsin have all received the ACC's NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2026. Those six locations are among only 350 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.
Sanford Health, North Memorial Health Complete Partnership
Sanford Health and North Memorial Health today announced the organizations have finalized their partnership and are now one nonprofit integrated health system operating as Sanford Health. The combined organization will preserve Robbinsdale Hospital and its essential role as a Level I Trauma Center while making significant investments that improve care, expand access and build a stronger rural-urban network across Minnesota.
Join Colleagues from Across the Region at the 2026 South Dakota Neuro Stroke Conference
Stroke care is a team effort, and there has never been a better opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate with professionals dedicated to improving outcomes for patients across South Dakota.
Write Once, Reach Everyone: Accessible Writing and GEO Want the Same Solution
Accessible writing and GEO-readiness reward the same practices — and understanding why gives you a much stronger argument for both. This article explains where they overlap, what the shared patterns look like, and how to use that overlap to get writing quality taken seriously in rooms where it hasn't been yet.