Sanford CEO Bill Gassen Delivers Keynote at National Conference
Sanford Health President and CEO Bill Gassen is joining the nation’s top health system executives at one of the industry’s premier conferences this week for a keynote panel discussing the next era of healthcare.
New Guideline Reframes Weight as Health Risk Tied to Diabetes, Kidney and Heart Conditions
The first-ever clinical guideline for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, or CKM syndrome, identifies excess weight, especially in the abdomen, as a key driver for the syndrome. The guideline aims to make people more aware of how heart disease, kidney disease and metabolic conditions (including diabetes and obesity) are interconnected.
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.
Sanford Health's Dr. Joshua Crabtree Named Among 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
Joshua Crabtree, M.D., chief physician at Sanford Health, has been named to Modern Healthcare’s list of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives for 2026.
Monument Health Opens Emergency Services and Medical Campus in Rapid City
Monument Health today opened the doors of its new free-standing Emergency Department at 1911 East Mall Drive in Rapid City, bringing high-quality emergency care closer to the communities along the Interstate 90 corridor. The facility marks the first completed phase of the Monument Health Emergency Services and Medical Campus and represents a significant investment in the long-term health infrastructure of the Black Hills region.
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.
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.
Avera Sacred Heart Named Among Great Community Hospitals
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, S.D., has named to Becker's Hospital Review’s Great Community Hospitals list for 2026, released June 2.
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.
22 Good Samaritan Locations Earn National Quality Award
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) announced that 22 Good Samaritan locations received the 2026 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. This recognition signifies a location’s commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care.
Dakota Vascular Sponsors With The Helpline Center to Expand Community Support and Mental Health Access in the Sioux Falls Region
Dakota Vascular, the Sioux Falls region’s trusted leader in vascular care, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Helpline Center’s Step Forward to Prevent Suicide walk on June 6 in Sioux Falls. The public event is one of the non-profit’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Avera Health Receives Wellvana CARE Award
Avera Health earned Partner of the Year in the health system segment of Wellvana’s CARE Awards at is 2026 Accountable Care Symposium recently in Denver, Colo. Wellvana is a national leader in value-based care enablement.
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).
Monument Health Partners With Community Research Program Walking Forward
For 24 years, Walking Forward has worked to close the gap in cancer outcomes for American Indian communities across western South Dakota. Now, the nationally recognized program is joining Monument Health once again, bringing more than two decades of community-based cancer navigation, research and education work under the health system and strengthening its ability to serve patients across western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming.
Prairie Lakes Laboratory Expands Direct-Access Walk-In Testing Services
Prairie Lakes Laboratory is making it easier than ever for community members to take a proactive approach to their health with expanded walk-in, direct access lab testing services.
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.
Cataract Awareness Month Highlights Options for Clearer Vision
In recognition of Cataract Awareness Month this June, Vance Thompson Vision is encouraging patients to learn more about their vision and explore today’s advanced cataract treatment options. Cataracts are a natural part of aging, often causing vision changes that can make everyday tasks more difficult. The good news is that cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures today. It offers patients the opportunity to restore their vision with advanced, personalized treatment.
Particle Sensors Reveal Critical Air Quality Findings in Hospital Operating Room
The surgical team had performed hundreds of procedures in the operating room without issue.
The room was spotless. Sterilization procedures were followed with precision. Airflow systems were operating exactly as designed.