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.
Maternal & Infant Health Task Force Members
Katelyn Strasser
Deputy Division Director
Organization: SD Department of Health
Task Force Chair and Systems of Care Committee Lead
Laurel Rick
Infant Health Coordinator
Organization: SD Department of Health
Infant Health Committee Lead
Shelby Kommes
Women’s Health Director
Organization: SD Department of Health
Maternal Health Committee Lead
Beth Walstrom
Assistant Administrator of Data, Office of Lifespan Health
Organization: SD Department of Health
Data Lead
Sandra Melstad
Consultant
Organization: SLM Consulting, LLC
Stephanie Hanson
Assistant Professor/Executive Director
Organization: SD State University / SD Perinatal Quality Collaborative
Denise Hanisch
Medical Director
Organization: SD Department of Health
Abhinav Datti
Prevention Services Manager, Office of MCH Data Analytics & Insights
Organization: SD Department of Health
Eric Emery
Representative
Organization: SD Legislature
Sydney Davis
CRNA, State Senator District 17
Organization: SD Legislature
Kaylyn Davis
Infant and Child Mortality Data Abstractor, Office of MCH Data Analytics & Insights
Organization: SD Department of Health
Tracy Bieber
Program Manager
Organization: Community Health Workers of SD
Kimberlee McKay, MD
Research Medical Director, RMOMs-SD PI
Organization: Avera Research Institute
Hope Kleine
Administrator, Office of Lifespan Health
Organization: SD Department of Health
Suzanne England
GPA MCH Consultant
Organization: Indian Health Services
Marty Link
Deputy Division Director
Organization: SD Department of Health
Josie Petersen
Assistant Administrator, Office of Rural Health
Organization: SD Department of Health
Bri Edwards
President
Organization: Lach’s Legacy
Nikki Krier
Nurse Consultant: SD PLAN
Organization: SD Department of Health
Audrey Rider
Early Childhood Field Specialist
Organization: SD State University Extension
Katie Kopp
Director of Nursing, Birth Place Services
Organization: Sanford Health
Joe Kippley
Public Health Director
Organization: Sioux Falls Health Department
Lacey McCormack
Director of Rural Research
Organization: Avera Research Institute
Laura Nordbye
Child Care Licensing Program Manager, Office of Licensing & Accreditation
Organization: SD Department of Social Services
Alyssa Christensen
Nurse Manager
Organization: Avera McKennan Hospital
Shelly Ten Napel
CEO
Organization: Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas
Taylor Rehfeldt
Representative
Organization: SD Legislature
Jen Tinguely
Medical Director
Organization: City of Sioux Falls Health Department
Nicky Cooney
Strategic Initiatives Consultant, Health Improvement Division
Organization: Wellmark
Jody Spangenberg
Public Health Nurse
Organization: SD Department of Health
Chris Soukup
Care Management Program Administrator, Medical Services
Organization: SD Department of Social Services
Anna Waterland Dykstra
Certified Nurse Midwife
Organization: Indian Health Service, Four Directions Clinic in Kyle
Carrie Churchill
Administrator, Office of Home Visiting
Organization: SD Department of Health
Carly Goodhart
Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
Organization: Sanford Health
Kelsie Thomas
Board President
Organization: SD Doulas
Beth Dokken
Director, Division of Family and Community Health
Organization: SD Department of Health
Kristine Randall
Director, NICU
Organization: Sanford Health
London Zerfas
Deputy Administrator
Organization: SD Department of Health
Melanie Boetel
Director, Behavioral Health
Organization: Department of Social Services
Mandy Bell
VP of Product Innovation
Organization: Avel eCare
Stacie Ugofsky
Lead Licensing Specialist
Organization: SD Department of Social Services
Sara DeCoteau
Tribe’s Health Services Coordinator
Organization: Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation
Victoria Wakeman
Certified Doula and Trainer, Certified Lactation Peer Counselor
Organization: Childbirth Support Specialists
Terri Rattler
TMIECHV Program Manager
Organization: Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board
Alicia Mousseau
Vice President
Organization: Oglala Sioux Tribe
Johanna Hewitt
Nurse Practitioner, DNP
Organization: Indian Health Services, Pine Ridge Hospital Pediatrics
Joel Arriolacolmenares
Administrator, Office of Public Health Nursing
Organization: SD Department of Health
Beth Laughlin
Labor and Delivery Nurse Manager
Organization: Monument Health
Shannon Muchow
Nurse Manager, Office of Public Health Nursing
Organization: SD Department of Health
Kelly Cronin
Public Health Nurse
Organization: SD Department of Health
Sandy Lown
Executive Director
Organization: Teddy Bear Den
Jordyn Gunville-Pourier
Senior Research Associate
Organization: Johns Hopkins - Center for Indigenous Health
Tony Burke
Government Relations Director
Organization: American Heart Association
Matt Tribble
Public Health Analyst, Overdose Response Strategy
Organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Steve Ardis
Officer
Organization: Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
Renee Forred
Doula, Owner
Organization: SD Doulas; Transitions: Doula and Life Services
Laura Rose
Assistant Chief Financial Officer, Human Resource Director
Organization: The Bebela Project
Kelly Piacentino
Director, SD PLAN Program
Organization: SD Department of Health
Alejandra Ortiz
Infant and Child Health (Contractor) Epidemiologist, Office of MCH Data Analytics & Insights
Organization: SD Department of Health
South Dakota Maternal and Infant Health Task Force Releases Five-Year Strategic Plan to Improve Outcomes for Mothers and Babies
Today, the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) and the South Dakota Maternal and Infant Health Task Force announced the release of a new five-year strategic plan (2026–2030) aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants across the state.
South Dakota Launches Maternal and Infant Health Task Force and Releases New Data to Guide Prevention Efforts
The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) has launched the Maternal and Infant Health Task Force, a statewide initiative to reduce preventable deaths among mothers and infants and to improve health outcomes for families across South Dakota.