South Dakota Healthcare News

As SDAHO celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2026, we’re taking a look back at one of our longest-standing traditions—the Annual Convention.

This year’s SDAHO Annual Convention is more than a conference—it’s a celebration of a century of collaboration, partnerships and innovation in South Dakota healthcare. As we commemorate our 100th Anniversary, we’re inviting health care professionals from across the state to come together for an event unlike any other.

Freeman Regional Health Services is pleased to welcome Laura Hofer, PA-C, to its provider team. Hofer will provide care in the Rural Medical Clinics and the Emergency Department, helping expand access to high-quality healthcare for patients throughout our region.

Brookings Health System’s Sleep Diagnostics Facility was recently reaccredited through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for polysomnography services both at the hospital-based testing facility and the home sleep testing setting.

Several Avera hospitals have received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® ― Stroke quality achievement awards for their commitment to ensuring people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.

Sanford Health reinvested more than $1 billion in 2024 to support patients, strengthen communities and expand access to healthcare across the rural communities it serves. The investments are detailed in Sanford Health's annual Community Impact Report, which highlights how the nonprofit health system reinvests resources to improve community health and ensure access to care close to home.

Six Good Samaritan locations have been recognized as 2026 Silver – Achievement in Quality award recipients by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for demonstrating systematic growth in quality care.

For 80 years, Yankton Medical Clinic has had the privilege of caring for generations of families throughout southeast South Dakota, northeast Nebraska, and the surrounding region. This summer, the clinic is saying "thank you" to the community in a big way.

Yankton Medical Clinic, an Avera partner, has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in computed tomography (CT) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology® (ACR®). CT scanning — sometimes called CAT scanning — is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and tailor treatments for various medical conditions. 

Avera Health is growing its family medicine team in the Hawarden and Akron area with the addition of two physicians who bring both deep regional roots and varied clinical backgrounds to their new patients.

Dakota Vascular in Sioux Falls is now offering new embolization procedures as part of their interventional services.

First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard and Sanford Health share statements on the passing of T. Denny Sanford, noted philanthropist and business leader.

Tierra Ohmann, RN, was recently hired as nursing director at The Neighborhoods at Brookview skilled nursing facility. 

Avera and The Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics & Spine (CNOS) are excited to announce Avera’s acquisition of the CNOS practice based in Dakota Dunes, SD. This partnership includes over 100 CNOS physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and athletic trainers across nine specialties and subspecialties with over 350 staff. This is effective January 1, 2027, with CNOS being named Avera CNOS going forward. 

CNOS and Avera are excited to announce Avera’s acquisition of the CNOS practice based in Dakota Dunes, SD. This partnership includes over 100 CNOS physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and athletic trainers across 9 specialties and subspecialities with over 350 staff. This is effective January 1, 2027, with CNOS being named Avera CNOS going forward. With Avera and CNOS’s long-standing presence in the tri-state area, both organizations see opportunities to further strengthen health care delivery across the region.

Some of the most valuable educational resources aren’t always the newest, they’re the ones that continue to make an impact.

Several Avera facilities have been recognized for their participation in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke post-acute care initiative to enhance guideline-based care for stroke patients, ultimately improving and prolonging lives.

The South Dakota Health Care Workforce Resource Center continues to serve as a valuable resource for healthcare organizations seeking practical solutions to today’s workforce challenges.

The countdown is on! Registration is now open for the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations’ 100th Annual Convention, taking place September 16–18, 2026, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

24 facilities across South Dakota have received recognition for participation in the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Stroke post-acute care initiative to enhance guideline-based care for stroke patients, ultimately improving and prolonging lives.

Avera's Melissa Goff, PharmD and Tom Johnson, PharmD, have been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review's 2026 list of chief pharmacy officers to know.