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LifeCircle

LifeCircle is an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional representation of people, organizations, and institutions in South Dakota whose purpose is to improve serious illness care for patients and their support person(s), not limited to but including end of life care. The group’s vision is that South Dakotans living with serious illness will have access to palliative care and hospice care; their loved ones receive support; and healthcare providers in the state will have access to information and education to improve care for patients and families living with serious illness.

To Submit information or requests to LifeCircle South Dakota contact the group coordinator: Michele Snyders at LifeCircleSD@sdaho.org.

LifeCircleSD was based at USD Sanford School of Medicine in the Department of Neurosciences from its inception to May 2022. The Advisory Board is composed of people passionate about LifeCircle’s purpose and includes a diverse group of professionals from multiple organizations who oversee the activities. Chairs of the Advisory Board included Dr. Judith Batchelor, Dr. Susan Schrader and Dr. LuAnn Eidsness.
June 2022 South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organization (SDAHO) assumed its management. SDAHO hired Michele Snyders, MSW, CSW-PIP, APHSW-C to Chair the LifeCircle SD Advisory Board. In the fall of 2023, the South Dakota Palliative Care Network (SDPN) merged with LifeCircle South Dakota to continue the work started during their 2020-2023 HRSA Rural Health Network Development grant period.
(Click here to view the Welcome letter.)
The purpose of LifeCircle is to improve care for people living with serious illness and their support person(s). The vision of the group is that people of South Dakota will receive the care needed to complete their life and die peacefully, their loved ones will receive support, and health care providers in the State will improve care of patients and families at the end of life. LifeCircleSD aims for interdisciplinary and inter-institutional representation of people, organizations, and institution for the entire state.
The three goals are professional education, public education and public policy.
  • Pandemic planning and crisis standard of care:
    • In the spring of 2020, it was becoming clear that COVID was a serious threat. There was an old pandemic crisis standard of care document written in 2009 by the Sioux Falls Bioethics Network. LifeCircle brought this document forward mid-2020 and gathered important stakeholders from South Dakota to discuss and rewrite. These experts included people from the hospital systems, state government and healthcare organizations. We spent the next year researching other state documents, national guidelines, legal assessments and ethical analysis. This culminated in a new crisis standard of care document that is supported by the large hospital systems, several independent hospitals, and the SD DOH.
    • Education about this crisis standard of care is now the focus. Members of LifeCircleSD have participated in statewide panels and will continue to do so in 2022.
    • In late 2022, LifeCircle pulled together the same health systems, agencies and organizations to develop the Pediatric Crisis Standards of Care.  Pediatric specialists from all three major health system helped guide an adaptation of the adult standards previously developed, that reflect the special care needed for the pediatric population.  The final draft of this standard of care was completed a year later following the same process used in creating the adult standard of care.
  • Professional and pre-professional education:
    • The Quarterly Conference Call (QCC) focuses on EOL education for healthcare professionals. In 2020 the focus was on diversity at end of life in SD. Speakers from the Native American, Hispanic, Muslim, African American and Jewish communities provided education. The QCCs cover a wide array of topics to improve care delivery for people living with serious illness. In 2025 LifeCircle increased educational opportunities from quarterly to monthly. SDAHO also offers continuing education through their partnerships with Hospice Foundation of America (HFA); Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC); Social Work in Hospice and Palliative Care (SWHPN); The MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care; and The Alliance for Care at Home (formerly National Hospice and Palliative Care Network (NHPCO).
    • The Academic Work Group developed the Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Seminar in 2001. This was taught by interdisciplinary faculty for students of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work and chaplaincy. This was a cutting-edge seminar held three times a year and educated nearly 2,000 students. Over the 22 years, several research studies on interdisciplinary education were completed and their articles published in prestigious palliative care journals. The last seminars were in the fall of 2021. The medical school leadership changed their focus of palliative care education and removed the medical students from the seminar; and the Academic Work group disbanded.
    • Summit Conferences in 2006, 2007, 2008 - Statewide conference for professionals caring for patients and families at the end of life.
    • Interdisciplinary Seminar in Winner SD, September 22, 2014 - This was a daylong seminar held in Winner, for interdisciplinary teams in the region to learn together the basics of palliative and hospice care. The faculty were interdisciplinary. Continuing education credits were provided.
  • Guardianship:
    • Clinician members of LifeCircle SD shared concerns about the guardianship program in South Dakota.  Many guardians appear to have difficulty making healthcare decisions.  In 2022, a subgroup of LifeCircle members began working with the State Bar Association and the Guardianship Program to help educate guardians on healthcare decision making.  Videos and worksheets are available on the SDAHO website.
    • Educational material is being developed with plans to put this material on a statewide organization's webpage.
    • Several of the Quarterly Conference Calls have addressed this issue.
  • Public policy:
    • Several members of LifeCircleSD are public policy experts and attend the legislative session every year in Pierre. They keep LifeCircle apprised of pertinent legislative issues related to end of life care.
    • During the 2024 legislative session SB 147, co-sponsored by Senator Jean Hunhoff (R) and Representative Taylor Rehfeldt (R), was signed into law that put a definition of palliative care into statute and provides for the distribution of informational materials regarding palliative care.
    • In 2019 a small workgroup along with Senator Deb Soholt (R) worked to develop and pass legislation for the South Dakota Medical orders for Scope of Treatment – SD MOST.  This is a transportable medical order for those with end-stage disease.  It is known nationally as POLST.
    • Discussed and supported Medicaid expansion and endorsement on SD Decide.
    • SD Out of Hospital DNR, which became Comfort One. 2004, and 2005
    • Worked with SD Bar Association to revise the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and the living will. Testified before committee and educate legislators. 2006-2007
    • Crisis Standard of Care policy, 2020-2021.
  • Collaboration with the SD Palliative Care Coalition:
    • A statewide group with the focus on nursing education and networking of palliative care healthcare professionals.
  • Summary of Other Major Accomplishments
    • In 2022, a Hospice & Palliative Care website was created and housed under the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations’ (SDAHO) main website Hospital & Lon Term Care tab.  The content includes information for healthcare professionals and the public on: LifeCircle SD; Advance Care Planning; Hospice Care; Palliative Care; South Dakota Hospice Service Areas; South Dakota Palliative Care Directory
    • Sioux Falls Resource Directory 2008 - The Palliative Care & End of Life Resource Directory was developed for healthcare providers, and other professionals, who provide care and services to individuals, and their families, facing a chronic illness or terminal diagnosis. This directory is a resource for services, programs and funding mechanisms available to patients and families in the Sioux Falls area in need of information, education, and support to manage chronic illness and end-of-life issues. Please, share this information with colleagues and patients as it is our hope that this tool will: help patients and families as they navigate the complex system of healthcare services and programs, procure optimal services and make difficult decisions, increase community awareness of care & end-of-life services and programs; and improve quality of life at the end-of-life.
    • Art Exhibit - “Living until we die” a traveling journal and photographic exhibit of Augustana College seniors engagement with individuals at the end of life. This was part of the Capstone Course taught by Dr. Ann Pederson and Dr. LuAnn Eidsness, “Living until we die, dying until we live.”
    • Public Education - Community forums (D2K 2004, Advance care planning)
We meet on the LAST Monday of every month at 9:00 am CST/ 8:00am MST Via Zoom
(Fill out the form below to receive meeting invites.)
Past Meeting Minutes
LifeCircle Education focuses on serious illness education for healthcare professionals. It is held the second Wednesday of the month from Noon-1pm CST/11am-Noon MST
Fill out the form below to get on the mailing list for upcoming education.
State
  • Legislation
  • Programs Supporting Palliative Care
  • State Wide Grants
    • 2023-2025: SDAHO HRSA Planning Grant- Network Members: Michele Snyders, MSW; Deb Arbogast, RN; Kayla Wolff, RN; Michelle Sieveke, RN; Robin Randall, RN; Megan Myers; Brandi Pravecek, DNP; Cheryl Fischbach, DNP
    • 2021-2022: USD Bush Grant- Palliative Care Education Project ECHO- Cheryl Fischbach, DNP, RN; Sabina Kupershmidt, PhD; Helene Hegge, MS, RN
    • 2020-2023: Avera HRSA Grant- South Dakota Palliative Care Network- Charlene Berke; Mari Perrenoud RN, MSA, CHPN; Sarah Mollman, PhD, RN, CHPN, CNE
    • 2020-2024: NIH (NCI): R-01: Advancing Palliative Care in Northern Plains American Indians. Mary Isaacson, PhD, CHPN, SDSU Associate Professor; Dr. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman-Massachusetts General Hospital Palliative Care Physician; Dr. Frannie Arneson-Avera Palliative Care Physician; Dr. Daniel Peterite- Monument Health Radiation Oncologist; J.R. LaPlante- Avera Director of Tribal Relations and member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe; Tinka Duran- Senior Director-Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center and member of the Rosebud Sioux Nation
    • 2022-2023: SDSU- Avera Cancer Institute-Early Palliative Care for American Indians and Rural Patients w/Advanced Cancer- Sarah Mollman, PhD, RN, CHPN, CNE and Brandon Varilek, PhD, BAN, CHPN, CNE
    • 2022: SDSU RSCA Challenge Grant: The Impact of Personal Familiarity on Goals of Care Conversations. Brandi Pravecek, DNP, CHPN and Mary Isaacson, PhD,  CHPN
Federal

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Education Recordings

2025

2/12/25 | The 2024 Serious Illness Scorecard – Opportunities to Improve Palliative Care Access in South Dakota | Recording

2024

  • 12/11/24 | Hospice Use Disparities in American Indian Persons with End-Stage Kidney Disease | Recording
  • 9/11/24 | Perspectives on integrating community health workers into palliative care teams in South Dakota | Recording
  • 6/12/24 | SD Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Seminar Update | Recording
  • 3/13/24 | M.A.I.D. – How to Respond to Patient and Family Questions | Recording

2023

  • 12/13/23 | Music and the Heart: Creating Therapeutic Support through Music and Heartbeats | Recording
  • 9/15/23 | Utilizing Community Health Worker | Recording
  • 6/14/23 | Dr. John Massey | Buprenorphine & its Efficacy for Patients with Serious Illness and End of Life Care Situations | Recording
  • 3/8/23 | Dr. Francine Arneson | Clinical Indications for Medical Marijuana | Recording | Presentation

2022

  • 12/14/22 |  Medical Cannabis Program |  Recording
  • 9/14/22 | Caring for the Seriously Ill in the LGBTQ+ Community |  Recording – Passcode: %kRbMM*6
  • 3/9/22 |  Guardianships |  Recording

2021

  • 12/8/21 |  Caring for immigrants and refugees and end-of-life issues | Recording
  • 9/8/21 | Guardianship | Recording
  • 6/9/21 | Judaism and End of Life issues | Recording

2020

  • 12/9/20 | African American perspective on end of life | Recording
  • 9/16/20 | Culturally Competent Care for Hispanics or Latino Patients | Recording
  • 7/15/20 | End of Life Care from Islamic Perspective |  Recording
Education without recordings
  • 4/15/20 | JR LaPlante | Native Americans and EOL
  • 6/12/19 | Implementing MOST
  • 3/13/19 | David Brechtelsbauer, MD and Molly Keegan |Report from the SD State Plan for Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias Work Group: What we learned, What we did, What you can do

2018

  • 12/19/18 | Deb Fischer-Clemens and Corey Brown | The M.O.S.T. Legislative Process
  • 9/12/18 | Cameo Anders, MA (c), JD | Advance Directives, Medical Orders, and Something in Between
  • 6/13/18 LuAnn Eidsness, MD | South Dakota MOST – POLST for South Dakotans
  • 4/11/18 | LuAnn Eidsness, MD | Pain Management Principles

2017

  • 12/13/17 | Joseph Rees, DO | Overcoming Roadblocks to Successful Transitions of Care
  • 9/20/17 | Nancy Joyner, MS, APRN-CNS | Understanding POLST for South Dakota
  • 6/14/17 | Katie Bloom, LCSW-PIP; David Brechtelsbauer, MD; and LuAnn Eidsness, MD | Dying with Dementia
  • 3/15/17 | David Brechtelsbauer, MD | Having the Discussion, Getting Paid: Medicare’s Role in End-of-Life Care

2016

  • 12/14/16 | Michael Bloom, PhD | Finding Your Humanity: Contending with the PITA* Patient (*Pain in the A##)
  • 9/14/16 | Nancy Wise-Vander Lee, PhD | Managing Compassion Fatigue for Professionals
  • 6/8/16 | Deborah Kullerd, MD | Respecting Choices in Long-Term Care
  • 3/9/16 | Karla Abbott, RN, DNP | Comfort in Culture

2015

  • 12/9/15 | Mary Hill, MA, JD, RN | Staff Reactions to Medically Futile Treatment
  • 9/9/15 |Francine Arneson, MD | Dealing with Difficult Families
  • 5/13/15 | Sandra White Shield | Cultural Consideration and Lakota Putting Life Away
  • 2/11/15 | Mary Jo Kreitzer, PhD, RN | Whole Life Wellbeing: Exploring the Use of Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices

2014

  • 11/12/14 | Priscilla Bade, MD and David Brechtelsbauer, MD | Palliative and Hospice Care in Long Term Facilities
  • 8/13/14 | Brandi Tackett, RPh, PharmD | Palliating Dyspnea at End of Life
  • 5/14/14 | Kate DeBartolo | The Conversation Project
  • 2/12/14 | Lexi Haux, RN, BSN | South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

2013

  • 11/13/13 | Terri Peterson-Henry, MD and Pam Koepsel, MS, RN | Pediatric Palliative Care
  • 8/14/13 | Mary Minton, PhD, RN | Palliative and End of Life Care: SD Statewide Survey Results
  • 5/8/13 | Terri Peterson-Henry, MD | Go Wish – Facilitating Conversations About Care and End-of-Life Decisions
  • 2/13/13 | Nancy Fahrenwald, PhD, RN | American Indian Community Partnerships: Living and Deceased Organ Donation and Transplant Education

2012

  • 11/28/12 | Deb Fischer-Clemens and Sarah Jennings | Affordable Care Act
  • 8/8/12 | Susan E. Andersen, MS, BSN | VA Care for Hospice & Palliative Care and Geriatric Veterans
  • 5/9/12 | Matthew Malone, DO | Anti-Psychotic Medications, Differentiating Between Dementia & Delirium, Risks/Benefits to treatment, and Diagnostic Cues and Concerns
  • 2/8/12 | Andrew Burnett, PhD and Mary Morris, MD | POLST: Planning to Care, Caring to Plan

2011

  • 11/9/11 | Marcia Taylor | Creating a Home Based Palliative Care Program
  • 8/10/11 | Priscilla Bade, MD | Meeting the Face to Face Requirements for Hospice Recertification
  • 2/9/11 | Matthew Malone, DO | Methadone: Getting Comfortable With Its Use in the Hospice Patient

2010

  • 11/10/10 | Jorge I. Ramirez MD and Caroline Schauer RN | We Honor Veterans: Creating a Veteran-Centric Culture
  • 5/12/10 | Pam Koepsell, RN, MS | For Everything There is a Season – Creating Memories for the Family
  • 2/10/10 | Reverend Gary Compton | Men & Grief

2009

  • 11/4/09 | Jorge Ramirez, MD | Palliative Care – History to Present in the VA System
  • 5/13/09 | Brandi Tackett, PharmD | Hospice Admission Orders Hospice House Admission Orders Comfort Pack – Just in Case
Research and Publications
Grants
  • HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant. South Dakota Coalition for the Advancement of Serious Illness Care -SD CASIC 9/30/2023-9/29/2024. Project Manager: Michele Snyders, SDAHO
  • Investigators: Fischbach, C., Kuperschmidt, S, Pithan.  Palliative Care Grant, Bush Foundation. Advance Care Planning Sparks Quality Conversations about Palliative Care ECHO (2020-2022)
  • Investigators: Armstrong, K., Petereit, D., Isaacson, M.J. R-01, NIH (NCI): R-01, Clinical Trial; RFA-CA-18-026: Improving the Reach and Quality of Cancer Care in Rural Populations. Title: Advancing Palliative Care in Northern Plains American Indians (2020-2024)
  • Investigators: Berke, C., Mollman, S.  Upper Midwest Palliative Care Education Network- South Dakota Palliative Care Network.  HRSA Rural Health Network Development. (2020-2023)
  • Investigators:  Mollman, S., Varilek, B.  Project ENABLE- easing cancer burdens, particularly in Native Americans. Hillman Serious Illness and End of Life Emergent Innovation Grant
  • Investigator: Pravecek, B., Isaacson, M., Personal familiarity, and impact on provider’s ability to have a goals of care conversation.  Funded through Innovation and Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Challenge (RSCA)- SDSU (2022)
  • RWJ Rallying Points: $10,000 in 2004 for advance directive education
  • Eggers Research Fund (Sioux Valley Hospital) 2005
  • Avera Foundation 2005
  • Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation: Dying to Know research
  • Wellmark: D2K research