SDAHO Welcomes Michele Snyders, as Hospice and Palliative Care Program Manager

The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) welcomes Michele Snyders, MSW, CSW-PIP, APHSW-C! Michele recently joined SDAHO as the Hospice and Palliative Care Program Manager, a new department and position for the association. The mission behind the department and position is to develop and coordinate hospice and palliative care education and support for communities and healthcare providers across South Dakota. Michele will also be facilitating LifeCircle of South Dakota, a group of healthcare professionals in the state whose aim is to improve end of life care through community and professional education and lobbying efforts. Michele says it’s priority number one is to move LifeCircle in a positive direction. “LifeCircle South Dakota has been in existence since 1999 under the direction of the USD School of Medicine and Dr. LuAnn Eidsness so continuing that work is priority number one for me. We are also working toward developing Guardianship Education.” Michele Snyders, MSW, CSW-PIP, APHSW-C, Hospice and Palliative Care Program Manager. 

In addition, Michele will help support and coordinate existing Hospice and Palliative Care Education Grants, while also identifying needs across South Dakota and develop support and training based on those needs.

Michele comes to SDAHO with over 25 years of healthcare experience in hospital social work, solid organ transplant, dialysis, palliative care, and telehealth in the long-term care setting. Prior to earning her Master’s in Social Work, Michele worked with the serious mental illness population at Southeastern Mental Health Center and later was the manager for the Sioux Falls Food Pantry. Michele has had the opportunity to focus on hospice and palliative care education and specialization, including obtaining a post-master’s certificate in hospice and palliative care. She is also the first social worker in the state to pass the Advanced Palliative and Hospice Social Work Certification exam. “I’ve also been trained as a trainer and facilitator in Respecting Choices, and I love to provide education and assistance on anything related to Advance Care Planning.” – Michele Snyders, MSW, CSW-PIP, APHSW-C, Hospice and Palliative Care Program Manager.

Having worked in healthcare for so many years, Michele is very familiar with SDAHO and the work the association does every day. “I worked closely with SDAHO through LifeCircle when we developed the Medical Order for Scope of Treatment (MOST) legislation and implementation for South Dakota. I have also had the opportunity to attend seminars sponsored by SDAHO as well as provide education to members through educational events.” – Michele Snyders, MSW, CSW-PIP, APHSW-C, Hospice and Palliative Care Program Manager.

Michele calls Sioux Falls home, but is originally from Cedar Falls, IA. She and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter-in-law, in addition to her chocolate lab named Murphy and their golden retriever named Copper who Michele says rule the house. In her free time, Michele enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and entertaining her dogs.

Please join us in welcoming Michele Snyders, MSW, CSW-PIP, APHSW-C as SDAHO’s Hospice and Palliative Care Program Manager.