For many years the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) has participated as a host organization for the Maternal and Child Health Careers: Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP) Program, through a partnership with the University of South Dakota (USD) Center for Disabilities. The RISE-UP Program provides opportunities for enhanced public health leadership training in maternal and child health, focusing on social determinants of health, elimination of health disparities, and developmental disabilities.
Training takes place at one of three locations:
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, with assistance from Johns Hopkins University
- University of Southern California, with assistance from California State University Los Angeles and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
- The University of South Dakota, with assistance from the Sanford School of Medicine
Students at the Center for Disabilities site are placed across health, educational, clinical, research, public policy/advocacy, and community-based organizations in South Dakota. SDAHO hosted students during June and July as part of their internship. This year, SDAHO had the privilege of working with Hari Kadarkaraisamy, a rising senior at USD and Kelly Young, a 2025 graduate of USD.
Hari and Kelly had the opportunity to discuss their final poster presentations at the RISE-UP Summer 2025 Symposium on July 24, 2025, at the USD Center for Disabilities. Hari’s poster studied the impact and importance of the 340B Drug Pricing Program to patients and hospitals in South Dakota. Kelly’s poster focused on Expanding Palliative Care Services in South Dakota. Both interns had the opportunity to share with their colleagues what they learned during their time with SDAHO, how they enjoyed traveling around the state, and their future career plans.
The staff at SDAHO enjoyed their time working with Hari and Kelly, and look forward to continuing this partnership with RISE-UP.
