The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) Rural Health Initiatives Department successfully hosted its 4th Annual Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) Workshop, Supporting You, Strengthening Outcomes, on March 25 in Sioux Falls. The one-day event was made possible in part through grant funding from the South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Rural Health, and the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (FLEX) Grant Program.
The workshop brought together quality professionals from critical access hospitals across South Dakota for a day of learning, collaboration, and connection. Attendees engaged with state and SDAHO experts, including South Dakota Flex Coordinator Terri Nihil, SDAHO Clinical Improvement Consultant Michelle Jury, BSN, RN, CPHQ, and Becky Heisinger, MBA, PMP, CGMS, CPHQ, Director of Rural Health Initiatives.
Engaging Sessions with Practical Takeaways
This year’s sessions focused on real-world challenges and actionable strategies to support quality improvement efforts across rural healthcare settings:
- Food Insecurity, How Wellness Pantries Can Impact a Community in Need.
- Presenter: Lindsay Weber, President and CEO of Avera St. Benedict Health Center
- Presenter: Lindsey Meyers, VP of Public Relations, Communications, and Community Engagement, Avera Health
Presenters shared how healthcare organizations can address food insecurity as part of their mission. Attendees learned how wellness pantries can improve patient outcomes, together they explored current trends, and gained practical ideas to support community health.
- Preparing for a Successful Survey: From Readiness to Results: Surveyor Preparedness: What to Expect and How to Prepare
- Presenter: Heidi Durband, Acute Care Advisor, Office of Licensure and Accreditation – South Dakota Department of Health
This session provided insights into the survey process, including common findings and emerging trends. Participants walked away with a better understanding of how to prepare for surveys and proactively address potential issues.
- Minding the Gap: Exploring Generational Influences and Inspirations
- Presenter: Faith Minnich Kjesbo of Mountain Light LLC led an engaging session on generational dynamics in the workplace. Attendees explored how different generations communicate, what motivates them, and strategies to foster stronger, more effective teams.
- Quality in Action: Real-World Success Stories.
- Presenter: Denise Below – Sanford Webster Medical Center (Topic: Are you Ready to be Socially Driven?)
- Presenter: Alane Pochop – Redfield Community Memorial Hospital (Topic: Employee Focus Group)
-
- Presenter: Jenn Aldren – Monument Health Sturgis (Topic: Falls)
- Presenter: Emily Eckert–Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center (Topic: S.A.I.L. Staying Active and Independent for Life Away with Us
- Presenter: Julie Girard – Sanford Vermillion Medical Center (Topic: Suicide Protocols)
A Valuable Opportunity to Connect
In addition to educational sessions, the workshop provided valuable time for networking and peer-to-peer learning—an essential component for advancing quality initiatives in rural healthcare. This included members of the Nebraska Hospital Association, a new addition to this yearly event.
“We’re grateful to continue offering this workshop as a resource for our members,” said Becky Heisinger. “This year’s strong turnout and the quality of our speakers made for a highly valuable experience. Our team works closely with quality professionals every day, and bringing them together for additional learning, collaboration, and support—made possible through FLEX grant funding—is something we know truly makes a difference.”
Attendees also had the opportunity to earn up to 5.0 Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) credits.
To learn more about SDAHO’s Rural Health Initiatives and quality improvement resources, visit sdaho.org/rural-health-initiatives.
