This year marks 25 years the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) of hosting its annual long-term care event, taking place April 8-9, 2025, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference has sessions focusing on workforce, self-care, data, advocacy and more. If you are looking for sessions specific to leadership or resident and client care, we’ve got you covered.

Both days include leadership sessions with local and nationally known experts on the topic. Kicking off the conference is opening keynote speaker, Del Gilbert, founder of Accelerating Excellence.

  • Tuesday April 8 | 12:00pm | Overwhelmed to Overflowing. Del equips people and organizations to thrive in the marketplace and behind. Attendees will learn how adopting a Growth Mindset can empower you to embrace challenges and unlock your full potential. Explore the power of the Abundance Mindset to cultivate generosity and see opportunities instead of limitations
  • Tuesday April 8 | 2:30pm | South Dakota Department of Health Emergency Preparedness Planning | Presenter: Lesley-Ann G. Pont, South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. Topics will include surge response, transportation coordination, cybersecurity assessments, extended downtime planning, and patient movement strategies. The session will also provide an overview of these plans and upcoming exercises, encouraging long-term care facility participation.
  • Tuesday April 8 | 3:45pm | Regulatory Insights from the South Dakota Department of Health | Presenters: Diana Weiland, RN, Cassie Deffenbaugh, RN; Jennifer Maeschen, RN, South Dakota Department of Health. This session will offer valuable insights and recommendations, covering the most common deficiencies cited in surveys, top complaints against providers, and the latest regulatory guidance. This session will provide participants with the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists and ask questions, gaining expert advice from the SDDOH advisors
  • Wednesday April 9 | 8:00am | The Data Doesn’t Lie: The Truth About the Current State of Employee Well-being | Presenter: Jean Hartnett, Radical Sabbatical. This presentation will provide ground-breaking research, and a unique perspective not often considered when managing, leading and retaining team members.
  • Wednesday April 9 | 9:15am | Authentic Leadership | Presenter: Julie Thorson, Friendship Haven. Attendees will explore the power of authenticity in leadership and how it can transform not only your professional life but also those around you.
  • Wednesday April 9 | 11:00am | Closing Keynote: For Every Season: Lessons to Live By with Rev. Dr. Greg Wilcox. As we conclude this year’s conference, we invite you to reflect on the theme of “Embracing the Seasons” through the lens of healthcare—an ever-evolving journey that shapes and enhances our lives, regardless of the season we’re in.

When it comes to residents and client care, it’s important to provide the most up to date data, trends, and ever-changing regulatory topics. Attendees at this year’s conference will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of resident and client care sessions.

  • Tuesday April 8 | 1:15pm | Decision-Making Capacity: A Team Approach to Quality Care | Presenter: Kristi C. Wall, PsyD, ABPP, Sioux Falls Veteran’s Health Administration. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the key elements involved in assessing medical decision-making capacity (DMC) and offer practical guidance on conducting a high-quality DMC assessment.
  • Tuesday April 8| 2:30pm | Charting the Course: Key Changes for SNF Medical Directors in 2025 | Presenters: Dr. Victoria Walker, Avel eCare and Dr. Joseph Rees, Avera Health. This session will equip SNF leaders with the essential knowledge and strategies needed to effectively navigate the evolving regulatory landscape in 2025 and beyond.
  • Tuesday April 8 | 3:45pm | When Communication Isn’t Right, Go Left! | Presenter: Gwen Maag, RN, BC, Avera Education and Staffing Solutions. Communication is a process of understanding and sharing information with someone. To communicate well is to understand and be understood. Having strong communication skills helps us in every stage of life – both in and out of work
  • Wednesday April 9 | 8:00am | Managing Distress and Disruptive Behaviors in Dementias – Part One: Understanding, Expectations, and Communication | Presenters: Dr. Rachel McClure, Jacqueline Hambrick, Kim Morgan, & Kristin Reiffenberger, Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Health Care System. This session will be aimed at helping attendees improve their understanding of dementia related changes and declines, develop realistic expectations, and increase effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills to optimize interactions
  • Wednesday April 9 | 9:15am | Managing Distress and Disruptive Behaviors in Dementias – Part Two: Problem Solving, Pleasant Events, and Self-Care | Presenters: Dr. Rachel McClure, Jacqueline Hambrick, Kim Morgan, & Kristin Reiffenberger, Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Health Care System. This session will provide caregivers with practical tools to manage distress and disruptive behaviors while promoting overall well-being. Attendees will learn to: apply the ABC model to problem-solve challenging behaviors, incorporate pleasant events to improve quality of life, and prioritize self-care to maintain personal well-being and prevent caregiver burnout.

Registration Pricing

  • Facility Package (5 for $500) This includes up to 5 individuals from the same facility. Members Only
  • Individual Member Registration $200.00
  • Non-member registration: $375.00

To learn more about the 2025 Post-Acute Partners in Care conference or to register click here, or check out the brochure.

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