The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) has been serving members since 1926. When it was originally formed 96 years ago it was the South Dakota Hospital Association, in 1995 SDAHO united both acute and post-acute care providers under one unified vision advocating for a flourishing health care industry. Today one particular SDAHO staff wears the badge of longest employee with the organization, and she is also the individual responsible for ensuring the members are kept up to speed on all the communications and events taking place within SDAHO. Meet Sheena Thomas, Content Specialist with SDAHO.
Sheena started with SDAHO in 2016, assisting with two quality grants. She would quickly move to an administrative role and today she serves as the Content Specialist, in the Education and Communication Department. Sheena’s responsibility includes website design and upkeep, graphic design, marketing and communication strategy, content for brochures, fliers and ensuring members are award of all the resources and opportunities SDAHO has to offer. “I really enjoy being creative. I like taking someone’s idea and bringing it to life.”
Sheena graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Before to coming to SDAHO, Sheena worked in animal rescue and the freight industry. “Prior to coming to SDAHO, I really didn’t have any healthcare experience at all.” Sheena has been able to take her role within the Education and Communication team and excel. Within her time at the organization, she has seen the number of employees increase, resources grow, affiliations added to the organization, and increased educational opportunities. “Our education has grown exponentially. When I first started, SDAHO provided a few webinars a month, hosted by other associations. Today we do more than 10 a month, that we organize and host.”
Sheena and her husband Billy have been married 15 years, and have a son named Ryder who keeps them active. When not working Sheena enjoys traveling and being with her family. “We enjoy spending time with my parents and sister who live close by, which allows Ryder to spend time with them”. Sheena also has a soft spot for animals. “We have three cats and two dogs; I am an animal lover.”
To take a closer look at the SDAHO and the creative work done by Sheena Thomas, visit the website at www.sdaho.org
To learn more about Sheena Thomas visit the SDAHO YouTube Page.
