The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) hosted its annual Rural Health Leaders Conference in Ft. Pierre, June 27-28. This in-person event was attended by healthcare professionals from across the state to take part in two-days of robust conversations focusing on South Dakota’s healthcare challenges, solutions and more. Several key areas focused on: workforce updates, healthcare sustainability and Medicaid Expansion.
Michella Sybesma, VP of Education and Communication, “This year we wanted to continue our conversation on workforce and what additional work is needed to assist with those challenges. So this year we kicked off the conference by providing attendees with an update to what work has been done so far, specifically with workforce and how SDAHO has been part of the solution. I think attendees were grateful to learn about our efforts to assist with workforce needs.”
Eric Shell, Chairman of Stroudwater Associates presented at this year’s event, The New Future of Rural Healthcare: Strategies for Success. In addition, a follow-up discussion titled Follow-up Discussion on the Future of Rural Healthcare & Health System Strategies.
Following this discussion, a panel of experienced healthcare leaders took the stage to discuss Healthcare Sustainability in Rural America. Moderator, Jessica Aguilar, lead the conversation with panelists, Erica Peterson, Bryan Breitling, and Curt Hohman. Topics included key rural health issues that need to be addressed, leader characteristics needed to promote sustainability, and how to engage organizations to execute change and improve care.
Mike Person the Medical Director with, with Avera McKennan shared with those in attendance, Stop the Bleed Program. This program is through the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is administered by the ACS Committee on Trauma (ACS COT)
Understanding Medicaid edibility and enrollment is on the minds of many as Medicaid Expansion is set to begin in South Dakota. Sarah Aker, Division Dir of Medical Services with the South Dakota Department of Social Services presented a session on: South Dakota Medicaid Eligibility & Enrollment.
Nita Dunham, the Systems Director of Case Management with Monument Health presented A Collaborative Approach to Manage Hospital to Nursing Home Transitions, with additional discussions centered around Care Transitions.
Last, Sarah Schmidt, the Senior Health Advisor to U.S. Sen John Thune provided a federal legislative update. Tammy Hatting, SDAHO’s COO “This year we were able to provide informative and timely information to those who attended this year’s Rural Health Leaders’ Conference. Healthcare providers continue to face challenges and we rely on our relationships with our federal delegation to stay on top of the latest medical, financial and policy issues impacting rural health operations. We rely on events like Rural Health Leaders to share information through our presenters and vendors.”
For more information on SDAHO’s Rural Health Leader’s conference, visit us at sdaho.org/rural-health-leaders-conference.
Registration is now open for the SDAHO Annual Convention taking place in Sioux Falls, September 20-22 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. To learn more, visit: sdaho.org/convention.
