The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is proud to showcase Lisa McPherson, RN, with Fall River Health Services in Hot Springs, South Dakota in this weeks, Rural Healthcare – Expanding the Workforce Pipeline, video campaign.
About the Campaign:
This campaign is part of SDAHO’s broader workforce development grant initiative, designed to help member facilities recruit and retain health care professionals. In 2023, SDAHO received the Rural Network Development Grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), leading to the formation of the South Dakota Rural Workforce Network (SDRWN), a collaboration among health care organizations and community partners across the state.
As part of this initiative, a video series was created featuring SDRWN members. The series highlights real health care professionals in South Dakota, providing valuable insight into their roles, skills, training, and educational journeys.
The campaign specifically targets:
- Second-career individuals
- High school students exploring healthcare careers
Featured Professional:
From a young age, Lisa McPherson knew she was meant to work in health care. As a child, she often cared for her siblings, stepping in before her mother could. That early responsibility planted the seed for a lifelong dream. Today, Lisa serves as the Med-Surg Nurse Manager at Fall River Health Services—a role she cherishes and worked diligently to achieve, even if her journey took a little longer than most.
Lisa became a parent at a young age and made the decision to focus on raising her son. She told herself that once he graduated from high school and college, it would be her turn. When her son later joined the military, Lisa took the leap and enrolled in nursing school—despite some initial hesitation. “I was scared to go back to school in my late 30s,” she shared. “But a friend said to me, ‘You’ll either be 41 with a degree or 41 still wanting one.’ That really stuck with me.”
Lisa earned her nursing degree and began working right in her hometown of Hot Springs, South Dakota. Her health care career took off—starting as a bedside nurse, then moving into outpatient care. She became wound care certified, and within four years was promoted to acute case manager. She credits her previous job experience for giving her transferable skills that helped shape her nursing journey. “I wasn’t too worried about finding a job—nurses are needed everywhere.”
Now in a leadership role, Lisa enjoys mentoring both new and seasoned nurses. “I love watching new nurses grow and seeing veteran nurses learn new things,” she said. “We have a team that celebrates the wins together and supports one another during tough times.”
Lisa encourages others to pursue a nursing career, pointing out the wide range of opportunities the field offers—from bedside care and case management to legal consultation and healthcare IT.
“I truly believe in what we are doing here at Fall River Health Services—in the rural health model and in this community. I love what I do.”
Full Video featuring Lisa McPherson
Watch More:
Additional videos can be found on the South Dakota Health Care Workforce Resource Center Webpage at: sdworkforce.com/expanding-the-workforce-pipeline
Throughout June and July 2025, SDAHO will share additional articles and videos showcasing more SDRWN members sharing their own professional health care journey.
To stay updated on video releases, follow campaign efforts or explore tools and resources, visit the South Dakota Health Care Workforce Resource Center Webpage at sdworkforce.com or contact Lindsay Stroman at Lindsay.Stroman@sdaho.org
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,150,097 with 0% percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
