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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

South Dakota Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Promising Examples

The Rural Virtual Infusion Program

funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Updated/reviewed November 2025

  • Need: Allow rural cancer patients in a region inclusive of 26 counties in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota to have access to tertiary-level chemotherapy regimens administered in rural infusion centers.
  • Intervention: With telehealth-based oversight from a tertiary care oncology team, 3 rural infusion teams were trained to coordinate cancer treatment plans and administer complex chemotherapy regimens.
  • Results: The original grant-supported effort — with its results of saving 130 patients 65,000 trip miles and 1,800 travel hours – proved sustainable.

Other Project Examples

Simulation in Motion-South Dakota (SIM-SD) EMS Educational Outreach Program

Updated/reviewed April 2026

  • Need: To provide increased educational opportunities for emergency care personnel in rural and frontier South Dakota.
  • Intervention: A technologically advanced training was created to enhance the delivery of emergency patient care.
  • Results: Hundreds of emergency medical services (EMS) staff and volunteers received training that in turn helped them in the field of emergency patient care.

Rural Aging Action Network

Updated/reviewed January 2026

  • Need: To connect isolated older adults and family caregivers in rural Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota to services and supports so they can age in place.
  • Intervention: The Rural Aging Action Network is a national collaborative of organizations that mobilize whole communities to address gaps in care for rural older adults and family caregivers.
  • Results: Since 2022, the collaborative has reached over 1,000 older adults and over 200 family caregivers living in rural communities.

Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota

Updated/reviewed November 2025

  • Need: To provide victims of domestic violence and sexual assault a safe space, advocacy, education, and family support services.
  • Intervention: Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota provides emergency/transitional housing, support and referral services, family visitation services, and community education.
  • Results: In 2024, Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota answered 404 crisis calls, provided shelter for 135 survivors, and advocated for 95 survivors.

St. Francis Mission Dental Clinic

Updated/reviewed October 2025

  • Need: To improve oral health among the residents of the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.
  • Intervention: St. Francis Mission founded a dental clinic, staffed by volunteers from across the country, to offer free oral healthcare to residents of the Rosebud Reservation.
  • Results: The clinic typically offered 20 one-week clinics every year and served 3,000 patients after transitioning to electronic records in 2021.

Delta Dental Mobile Program

Updated/reviewed April 2025

  • Need: Lack of access to oral healthcare for children from limited-income families in the rural and urban areas of South Dakota.
  • Intervention: Delta Dental of South Dakota launched the Delta Dental Mobile Program in 2004 to expand access to oral healthcare services to children throughout the rural state.
  • Results: The Delta Dental Mobile Program has provided over $44 million in dental care to more than 73,000 South Dakota children.

Rural Experiences for Health Professions Students (REHPS)

funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Updated/reviewed July 2023

  • Need: An ongoing shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas of South Dakota
  • Intervention: A 4-week summer program placing health professions students in rural communities.
  • Results: Of graduating participants, 71% practice in South Dakota with 30% of those graduates practicing in rural communities with populations fewer than 10,000, or veteran facilities.

South Dakota Harvest of the Month Program

Updated/reviewed May 2023

  • Need: To encourage children to make healthy eating choices through learning and tasting.
  • Intervention: Brief, fun, and informative presentations and tastings for children on over 42 different fruits and vegetables.
  • Results: Participants are exposed to new foods and show more interest in healthy eating.