SIOUX FALLS The South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA), which represents Long Term Care Centers across South Dakota, held its Annual Fall Convention September 23 -25, 2025.
The SDHCA takes pride in awarding the following individuals for their exceptional service and dedicated commitment to the long term care profession. The following South Dakota individuals were recognized and honored at the SDHCA 74th Annual Fall Convention Awards Lunch.
Mark B. Deak, SDHCA Executive Director shared, Congratulations to our award recipients and all South Dakotas long term caregivers who continue to strive every day to provide the quality of care that our elderly and disabled South Dakotans expect and deserve.
2025 award winners:
Administrator of the Year Award
Celina Block, Avantara North, Rapid City
Service Award
Marty Davis, Black Hawk
Daryl Reinicke, Rapid City
AL Administrator of the Year Award
Laurie Solem, Avantara Huron and Wellshire, Huron
Scholarship Awards, $1,000 from SDHCA and $1,000 employer-match
1. Natalie Evans, RN, Prairie View Heatlhcare Center, Woonsocket
2. Caitlynn Gregerson, Nursing, Westhills Village, Rapid City
3. Breana Johnson, Nursing, Clarkson Heath Care, Rapid City
4. Alena Pomponi-Rennich, RN, Medicine Wheel Village, Eagle Butte
5. Angela Saldana, BSN, Bethany Home, Sioux Falls
6. Sarah Schake, Business Administration, The Village at Harmony Hills, Watertown
7. Victoria Schaack, BNS, Avantara Clark, Clark
8. Courtney Shoultz, RN, Prairie Heights Healthcare, Aberdeen
AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards
Bronze Commitment to Quality Award:
– Good Samaritan Society – Sioux Falls Center, Sioux Falls
– Spearfish Canyon Health and Rehab, Spearfish
– The Inn on Westport, Sioux Falls
– The Legends on Lake Lorraine, Sioux Falls
Silver Achievement in Quality Award:
– Avantara Clark
– Avantara Groton
– Avantara Lake Norden
– Avantara Saint Cloud in Rapid City
– Avantara Watertown
Individual Council Awards
Activity Award Katie Larson, Centerville Care and Rehab, Centerville
Dietary Award Jessica Revalee, The Village of Harmony Hills, Watertown
Nursing Award Stephanie Popowski Dahl, Jenkins Living Center, Watertown
Social Service Award Paige Metzinger, Bethany Home, Sioux Falls
Volunteer Awards
Adult Volunteer of the Year Jeanene Edelman, Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno
Group Volunteer of the Year Cornerstone Baptist Church Group, Firesteel Healthcare Center, Mitchell
Millie E. Olson Award of the Year
Kelly McCune, Good Samaritan Society, De Smet
Legend Award
Representative Brian Mulder
Lifetime Achievement Award
LaVonne Gaspar, Sioux Falls
Past President Award
Tatiana Johnson, Legacy Healthcare, Rapid City
SDHCA Staff 40 Years of Service
Lori Tracy, Assistant Executive Director, Sioux Falls
South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA) is a statewide not-for-profit association, representing nursing centers, assisted living and senior living centers that provide long term care to the citizens of South Dakota.
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