SDAHO Post-Acute Conference Delivers Collaboration and Innovation

The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) hosted the 2024 Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference April 10-11, 2024, at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell. This two-half day event saw record-breaking attendance with over 200 healthcare professionals from across the state taking part in this in-person conference. Michella Sybesma, VP of Education and Communication’s organized this year’s event. “We are excited to continue to see growth with this annual event. This was the first year we’ve hosted the conference in Mitchell, which shortened the driving time for many of the attendees, and from attendance numbers it looks like that was a good decision. We know our members within the long-term care industry continue to face challenges, and we hope this conference provided them with some solution-based conversation and education they can take home to their teams.” Both National and State experts provided a unique opportunity where participants could choose from over 25 different breakout sessions, which included education on nursing home, assisted living, home health/hospice, and leadership. This year’s conference also offered attendees up to 11.2 contact hours for nursing home administrators and up to 9.4 contact hours for social workers. A pre-conference session titled: Emergency Preparedness Tabletop with South Dakota Health Care Coalition kicked off the session. The Opening Keynote Speaker, Jack York shared: The Wisdom on Wheels Journey: A Nationwide 5-Year Quest to Capture the Hearts and Minds of the Greatest Generation . Closing the event, Rich Bluni with his moving presentation, Inspired Leadership. For the first time, SDAHO hosted a Facility Art Contest, inviting nursing home Activity Directors and residents to create an art project centered around the theme: My Community – Past, Present and Future.  Facilities that participated showcased their project at the conference with attendees voting on their favorite. The event was sponsored by SDAHO Enterprises who awarded the following facilities: 3 rd Place – Wakonda Heritage Manor – $750 2 nd Place – Avera Brady Health and Rehab – $1500 1 st Place – Kadoka Nursing Home – $2500 Tammy Hatting, SDAHO, COO “Congratulations to everyone who participated in our annual Facility Art Contest. It was great to see everyone’s art creations but more importantly how excited the staff and residents were to share a piece of their community and their lives through the artwork. SDAHO is so thankful to those who participated, they are all winners.” This year’s event also brought new vendors and exhibitors, providing attendees more insight into innovations in senior living and the future of geriatric care. “Thank you to the sponsors and exhibitors that supported the conference and to all the presenters that shared education and resources, it was a successful event because of many partnerships.” Michella Sybesma – VP Education & Communication, SDAHO To watch the recap video from the 2024 Post Acute Partners in Care Conference visit the SDAHO YouTube Channe.