With the holiday season upon us and the end of the year fast approaching, we take a moment to pause and reflect on the many gifts and blessings we have experienced during the past year.
Health care continues to experience transformational change, and SDAHO has endeavored to stay ahead of the pace of change in providing service and support for our members across the health care continuum. Without question, we face many challenges, but similar to your important work of caring and healing, the work of your association is never really finished.
As we have seen during the past year, one of the best ways to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow is to work together through collaborative teamwork as our members in post-acute care facilities, hospitals and health systems work together on initiatives to improve the health status of South Dakotans. The focus is on āadvancing healthy communitiesā with a focus on the patient overall experience, safety and quality.
To meet these challenges and more, we must better understand the shifting demographics associated with recruiting and retaining staff, identify the skills that are needed in tomorrowās workforce and share the lessons learned with each other.
South Dakota is a better place because of the extraordinary work of the caring professionals in each of our member organizations. We are especially grateful to all health care workers who will spend time at work caring for the most vulnerable citizens in our state, sacrificing time with their families. It is difficult, but necessary work that exemplifies an unwavering commitment to the communities we serve!
As we look to 2017 with a spirit of unity and optimism, we are thankful for the accomplishments and blessings from the past year. Peace, joy and blessing to one and all during the holiday season and Happy New Year!
