Rural Health
Welcome to the South Dakota Office of Rural Health. Our mission is to improve the delivery of health services to rural and medically underserved communities, emphasizing access. We work primarily at the local level.
Specific program examples include recruiting of health professionals, assisting facilities such as hospitals and rural health clinics, helping interested organizations develop and use technology applications, and providing general information and referral.
November 16, 2023 - Rural Health Day Proclamation
Shortage Areas
Learn about health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) and medically underserved areas (MUAs).
Recruitment Assistance for Healthcare Professionals
The Office of Rural Health administers a variety of programs to assist communities and facilities in recruiting healthcare professionals.
J-1 Waiver Program
The J-1 Visa Waiver Program helps rural communities recruit foreign or international medical graduate physicians.
Critical Access
The Critical Access Hospital Program helps small rural hospitals adjust to the rapid changes in health care.
Listservs — Email Groups
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Subscribe to South Dakota Rural Health Listserv
When you subscribe, you will receive about 20 email newsletters throughout the year about various topics, such as recruitment program information; opportunities for attending conferences, webinars, or meetings; sharing information from federal resources; etc. You will also stay up-to-date on grant-related details from the federal level.
Reports
South Dakota Healthcare Workforce Report, 2018
Based on population and employment statistics, projections indicate that thousands of healthcare workers will be needed in the healthcare industry in the next decade. This profile of healthcare professions serves as an aid in planning for the healthcare workforce needs in the future. The report draws upon labor statistics, educational preparation data, and current health professions’ licensing registries. The report profiles the healthcare workforce's projected needs in the future and workforce distribution by geography, age, and profession.
Primary Care Needs Assessment, 2016-2020
The South Dakota Primary Care Office (PCO) is housed within the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH), Office of Rural Health (ORH). The mission of the ORH is to improve the delivery of health services to rural and medically underserved communities, emphasizing access. The ORH’s efforts are largely aimed at the local level within South Dakota’s communities, most of which are rural and/or frontier.
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EMS & Trauma Program
Find information on emergency medical services (EMS), including licensing and certification requirements, BLS education and additional EMS resources.
PHPR
Discover essential resources and guidelines for healthcare providers on emergency preparedness.
Healthcare Professionals
Access surveying and licensing information, public health laboratory testing, preparedness resources, response resources, and a statewide trauma registry.
Careers and Recruiting
Find a variety of available career and educational opportunities for current and future healthcare workers and support at and beyond the SD DOH.