A strong health care workforce begins with early exposure, hands-on learning, and meaningful mentorship. Through a growing partnership, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) and Southeast South Dakota Area Health Education Center (AHEC) are working together to build the next generation of health care professionals — with a strong focus on rural communities.
Southeast SD AHEC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the health care workforce and improving access to care, with a strong focus on rural and underserved communities. Executive Director Carrie Peschl began her own health care career as a dental assistant, an experience that continues to shape her passion for workforce development. Since stepping into her leadership role, she has partnered closely with SDAHO to expand programming and elevate opportunities for students and communities alike. “Our partnership with SDAHO has been the perfect fit,” Peschl shared. “The collaboration has strengthened our organization and expanded opportunities for students.”
The partnership brings together Peschl; Loretta Bryan, RN, Clinical Improvement Consultant with SDAHO; and Becky Heisinger, MBA, Director of Rural Health Initiatives for SDAHO. Bryan supports programming and health care education, while Heisinger assists with grant management and funding initiatives. Together, they are enhancing AHEC’s reach and impact statewide.
Through this collaboration, Southeast SD AHEC continues to deliver high-impact, hands-on programming:
- Rural Experience for Health Professions Students (REHPS): Thirty collegiate health care students completed four-week placements in rural South Dakota hospitals, where they got hands-on experience with providers, rotated through interprofessional departments, and experienced firsthand the collaboration that defines rural health care. Students also immersed themselves in the community, seeing firsthand the benefits and lifestyle that come with living in a rural area.
- Scrubs Camp & Camp Med: 175 middle and high school students rotated through hands-on stations showcasing different health care professions, giving them a fun and engaging introduction to health care careers.
- HOSA Mini-Camp: 37 high school students practiced hands-on health care skills in preparation for their state HOSA competitions, including giving injections, using a cane to assist patients, and passing surgical instruments.
- AHEC Scholars: A national honors program for collegiate health care students; Loretta Bryan has led webinars on difficult conversations, leadership, and opioid recovery, giving students valuable insights beyond the classroom.
Upcoming Southeast SD AHEC events include Disaster Training Day, Camp Med-Yankton, the Health Scholars Symposium, the Empowered Leadership Conference, and the next summer session of REHPS.
Across all programs, students consistently describe the experiences as engaging, practical, and inspiring. As Bryan noted, “Seeing students’ excitement as they learn something new reminds us why this work matters.”
Together, Southeast SD AHEC and SDAHO are strengthening the health care workforce pipeline and ensuring rural communities have access to the professionals they need.
To learn more about Southeast SD Area Health Education Center (Southeast SD AHEC) visit, yanktonruralahec.org
For partnership opportunities or more information, contact Carrie Peschl at carrie.peschl@yrahec.org.
