South Dakota Launches ‘Rural Health Forward’ to Strengthen Rural Healthcare Workforce
Rural Health Forward prioritizes independent rural hospitals, community health centers, and Tribal health providers, ensuring they have access to essential workforce training and support.
Led by the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, and the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD), the initiative brings together professional associations, training organizations, and healthcare employers to identify workforce priorities, develop educational content, and deliver training statewide.
“By collaborating, we can expand access to high-quality, evidence-based professional development that is responsive to what rural healthcare professionals tell us they need,” said Bridget Diamond-Welch, Ph.D., director of research and innovation for the USD School of Health Sciences. “Our goal is to make it easier for providers to continue learning, build connections with colleagues across the state and access resources that support them in delivering high-quality care in their own communities.”
USD will lead overall project management, including the statewide needs assessment, project evaluation and data governance, and coordination of implementation across partners. As one of South Dakota’s two Project ECHO hubs, USD will provide Project ECHO series through Rural Health Forward. Project ECHO is a virtual learning model that connects healthcare professionals with experts and peers through brief educational sessions and case-based discussions, expanding access to evidence-based training and professional support, particularly for providers serving rural communities.
South Dakota State University will serve as the curriculum lead, coordinating the development of training content, while both universities will identify faculty and subject-matter experts to develop project materials and provide simulation and experiential learning opportunities.
CHAD will lead provider outreach and engagement, coordinate training registration and participation, support statewide communications, and oversee implementation and operation of the Rural Health Forward learning platform. CHAD will also help coordinate leadership, mentoring and other provider-support activities.
“Healthcare professionals in rural communities need access to training and professional support that reflects the unique needs of the communities they serve,” notes Lindsey Karlson, director of programs at CHAD. “CHAD is looking forward to working with USD, SDSU, partners and healthcare professionals to design and deliver relevant and impactful training.”
The primary objectives of the Rural Health Forward initiative are as follows:
- Identify statewide workforce training needs
- Expand hands-on and mobile learning opportunities
- Strengthen professional connections through Project ECHO and mentoring
- Offer an accessible online training hub
- Continuously improve programs using feedback and participation data
“Rural Health Forward is being built with rural healthcare professionals, not simply for them. We invite rural healthcare professionals and partners to join us on November 19 to learn more about Rural Health Forward and how they can participate,” shared Sarah Mollman, associate dean for research and associate professor at SDSU.
Rural Health Forward will launch its development work and engagement process—with those who want to participate in building it—publicly in November 2026, followed by a phased rollout and establishment of an advisory council. Healthcare professionals, organizations, hospitals and clinics are invited to take part in the needs assessment, attend the Nov. 19 kickoff, and join upcoming trainings. For details or to get involved, visit RuralHealthForward.org.
This press release is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Rural Health Transformation Project, a financial assistance award totaling $841,951, 100% funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the University of South Dakota and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
You May Also Like
USD President Sheila K. Gestring Announces Retirement
After nine years leading the University of South Dakota, President Sheila K. Gestring has announced her retirement, effective June 21, 2027.
Avera, SDSU and USD Sanford School of Medicine Establish Statewide NIH Research Partnership
The National Institutes of Health awarded $11,090,204 over five years to establish the South Dakota Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research (SD-ACT), a statewide partnership among Avera Research Institute, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.
USD Philosopher Joseph Tinguely Awarded John Templeton Foundation Grant
Joseph Tinguely, Ph.D., was recently awarded a grant from the John Templeton Foundation in the amount of $435,790. This grant will support him as he organizes interdisciplinary collaborators with the aim of producing a conference, an edited manuscript and a series of public-facing media.
