SDAHO’s 100th Anniversary: A year long celebration
Throughout 2026, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is celebrating 100 years of impact. We’re marking this centennial by sharing the stories and historical milestones that define the association and health care in South Dakota. We recently wrapped up our 26th Annual Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference major event, but only a small chapter in our storied 100-year history, that will go down as one of the biggest milestones in our 100-year story.
The Defining Moment in SDAHO’s History
One of the most pivotal milestones in the history of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) came in 1995—when the association expanded beyond its roots as a hospital-only organization to represent the full continuum of care.
Originally founded in 1926 in Huron as the South Dakota Hospital Association, the organization was created by hospital administrators and physicians focused on improving hospital services, managing costs, and strengthening public trust. For decades, its mission centered solely on acute care. But as health care needs evolved, so did the association.
The decision in 1995 to include post-acute care providers marked a transformational shift. By bringing long-term care, assisted living, home health, and hospice organizations into its membership, SDAHO redefined its role—becoming a unified voice for healthcare across South Dakota. This change also led to a new name that better reflected its broader mission: the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations.
View excerpts from SDAHO’s Documentary: A Century Strong – as current and former members share their thoughts on this milestone transition
Today, that evolution continues to shape SDAHO’s impact. The association now represents 54 hospitals and 120 long-term care facilities, along with a wide range of other providers serving communities across the state. Together, these members deliver care to tens of thousands of inpatients and more than a million outpatients each year.
This growth is reflected in events like the annual Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference. Now in its 26th year, the event has expanded from fewer than 100 attendees to nearly 250, highlighting both the importance of post-acute care and SDAHO’s commitment to supporting it.
As SDAHO celebrates 100 years, the 1995 transition stands out as a defining moment—one that strengthened collaboration across the health care spectrum and ensured that providers of all types have a seat at the table. By embracing the full continuum of care, SDAHO positioned itself not just as a hospital association, but as the leading advocate for a stronger, more connected healthcare system in South Dakota.
To learn more about SDAHO’s history, visit the 100th Anniversary webpage – sdaho.org/100th.
