Michella joined the SDAHO team in 2019, serving as the Director of Education. She has since expanded her leadership – now overseeing the communication arm of the association. “My primary goal at SDAHO is to help coordinate education and events at SDAHO for our members, which consists of in-person events and webinars. “Shortly after I started in 2019, COVID-19 hit in March and we had great plans for educational events but then everything had to switch from in-person to virtual. It was rewarding to be able to provide an alternative option for our members to get their education and we had no idea it would grow into the offerings it is today.” Michella Sybesma, VP Education and Communication, SDAHO. In 2020, SDAHO provided over 100 webinars, with 2021 and 2022 seeing an even bigger increase in educational offerings for members. “To hear our members feedback and their appreciation for offering alternative options for continuing education credits and educational resources was fulfilling, especially given everything they were dealing with.” Michella Sybesma, VP Education and Communication, SDAHO
Also, under the leadership of Michella, are the communication efforts by this four member team. “Our team does a phenomenal job of getting communication to our members and we do that through our website, social media and our newsletter.” Michella Sybesma, VP Education and Communication, SDAHO. The SDAHO Communication team, produces a weekly E-Newsletter that goes to over 800 subscribers each Monday.
In addition, Michella is responsible for SDAHO’s three main in-person conferences: Post-Acute Partners in Care; Rural Health Leaders, and the Annual Convention. Each event pulls together healthcare professionals from across the state to hear from local and national experts. This past July in Pierre workforce took center stage during the Rural Health Leader Conference, where policymakers and members from the healthcare industry met to talk solutions. “It was so awesome to be SDAHO and bring our members various stakeholders together to the table to talk about the issues and potential solutions. To be a part of that was rewarding.” Michella Sybesma, VP Education and Communication, SDAHO
Michella is a South Dakota native and attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Right after graduation, she jumped into the workforce working as a nursing home administrator. After getting married she and her husband moved to Sioux Falls where Michella worked as the Director of a medical and non-medical home health agency, providing 24-hour in-home care.
When Michella is not working, she and her husband focus much of their free time on their two daughters. “My husband and I have been married for 17 years and we have two girls, really our life revolves around daughters, one is in high school and one is in middle school. Outside of school activities, they enjoy traveling and keeping busy with home remodeling projects .” Michella and her family also enjoy their pet rabbit Milo!
When asked what she wants members to know about SDAHO, “We are constantly advocating for our members, it never stops and it’s all about bringing the right people to the table to find solutions. Everyday is a little different which is fun. Working with our team, we have such a great supportive and collaborative environment. It is fulfilling to come to work and be able to work along such great people.”
- To take a closer look at the SDAHO Educational Offerings: , click here.
- To learn more about SDAHO’s Unified Voice Newsletter or to subscribe, click here:
- To learn more about Michella Sybesma visit the SDAHO YouTube page.
