Maternal & Infant Health Task Force

Mission:

The Maternal and Infant Health Task Force works to improve the health of mothers and infants through data-informed innovation, collaborative partnerships, and sustainable solutions that address disparities to build lasting improvements in care and outcomes. 

Guiding principles:

  • Community-centered approach: We engage families and local stakeholders as active partners, empowering them to drive decisions and shape solutions that directly respond to their community’s needs.
  • Data: We use data as a tool for transparency, illuminating health disparities and guiding informed decision-making to advance accountability in our work and well-being for all.
  • Collaboration: We are committed to a multi-sector, statewide approach that values open dialogue, mutual respect, and active engagement among partners to develop forward-thinking and long-term solutions. 

  • Steve Ardis, Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
  • Joel Arriolacolmenares, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Mandy Bell, Avel eCare
  • Tracy Bieber, Community Health Worker Collaborative of South Dakota
  • Melanie Boetel, South Dakota Department of Social Services
  • Tony Burke, American Heart Association
  • Alyssa Christensen, Avera McKennan Hospital
  • Carrie Churchill, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Nicky Cooney, Wellmark
  • Kelly Cronin, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Abhinav Datti, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Kaylyn Davis, Black Hills Special Services Cooperative
  • Sydney Davis, State Senator District 17
  • Sara DeCoteau, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation
  • Beth Dokken, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Anna Waterland Dykstra, Indian Health Service, Four Directions Clinic in Kyle
  • Bri Edwards, Lach's Legacy
  • Eric Emery, South Dakota Legislature
  • Suzanne England, Indian Health Services
  • Carly Goodhart, Sanford Health
  • Jordyn Gunville-Pourier, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Center for Indigenous Health
  • Denise Hanisch, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Stephanie Hanson, South Dakota State University/SDPQC
  • Johanna Hewitt, Indian Health Services, Pine Ridge Hospital Pediatrics
  • Kamela Johnson, Monument Health
  • Joe Kippley, City of Sioux Falls Health Department
  • Hope Kleine, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Katie Kopp, Sanford Health
  • Nikki Krier, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Beth Laughlin, Monument Health
  • Marty Link, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Sandy Lown, Teddy Bear Den
  • Lacey McCormack, Avera Research Institute
  • Kimberlee McKay, MD, Avera Research Institute
  • Alicia Mousseau, Oglala Sioux Tribe
  • Shannon Muchow, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Laura Nordbye, South Dakota Department of Social Services
  • Josie Petersen, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Randee Peterson, South Dakota Department of Social Services
  • Kristine Randall, Sanford Health
  • Terri Rattler, Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board
  • Taylor Rehfeldt, South Dakota Legislature
  • Audrey Rider, South Dakota State University Extension
  • Chris Soukup, South Dakota Department of Social Services
  • Jody Spangenberg, South Dakota Department of Health
  • Shelly Ten Napel, Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas
  • Kelsie Thomas, South Dakota Doulas
  • Jen Tinguely, City of Sioux Falls Health Department
  • Matt Tribble, Overdose Response Strategy at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
  • Stacie Ugofsky, South Dakota Department of Social Services
  • Victoria Wakeman, Childbirth Support Specialists
  • London Zerfas, South Dakota Department of Health