About SDAHO

Mission

Advancing healthy communities through a unified voice across the health care continuum.

Our Story

Serving as the voice for South Dakota’s hospitals and healthcare organizations encompassing the full continuum of care, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) represents a diverse membership with the goal of ensuring the highest quality of health care for South Dakotans.

The association is a not-for-profit organization spanning various types of institutional ownership, geographic location, size, and complexities of service. Members include hospitals, health care systems, nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living centers, and hospice organizations. Originally formed in 1926 as 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.

SDAHO serves its membership through information, education, and advocacy on the issues, challenges, and solutions delivering quality health care to a widespread and varied population. By staying abreast of the changing dynamics in a demanding industry, SDAHO is a trusted resource and leading advocate for its members as well as area policymakers.

Vision

We envision communities throughout South Dakota where everyone reaches their highest potential for health.

Organization

The central office is located in Sioux Falls, SD and is under the direction of the President & CEO, Tim Rave who serves at the pleasure of, and is responsible to, the Board of Trustees.

Our staff is divided into five areas of responsibility: Advocacy and Member Relations, Acute & Post-Acute Services, Education, Business Development, and Rural Health Initiatives.

The association is financed principally through membership dues; however, grants, contracts and business development relationships have become integral to the operation.

Board of Trustees

2025-2026 SDAHO BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CHAIRPERSON
Paulette Davidson, CEO
Monument Health

VICE CHAIRPERSON
Bryan Breitling, Administrator
Avera Dells Area Hospital/Avera Flandreau Hospital

SECRETARY-TREASURER
Erica Peterson, Administrator/CEO
Sanford Chamberlain Hospital/Sanford Chamberlain Care Center

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSON
Jason Merkley, Administrator/CEO
Brookings Health System

TRUSTEES

Natalie Gauer, Administrator/CEO
Milbank Area Healthcare Campus Avera

Mick Gibbs, President & CEO
Avera Heart Hospital

Eric Hilmoe, COO
Sanford Health

John Allen, CEO
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

John Pierce, President
Monument Health Rapid City

Mike Wilde, MD, VP Medical Officer
Sanford Health

Thomas Worsley, President
Monument Health Spearfish Hospital, Monument Health Network

John Allen, CEO
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

Tim Rave, President/CEO (ex-officio)
SD Association of Healthcare Organizations

DELEGATE TO AHA
John Ayoub, CEO
Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics

DELEGATE TO LEADINGAGE
Shantel Krebs, Regional President & CEO
Avera St. Mary’s Hospital

NON-BOARD MEMBERS:
ALTERNATE TO AHA
Erick Larson, Administrator
Huron Regional Medical Center

ALTERNATE TO LEADINGAGE
Mark Schulte, VP Operations
Monument Health