Physician Health Leadership Institute

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SDSMA Center for Physician Resources Health Leadership Institute

The SDSMA Center for Physician Resources Health Leadership Institute helps physicians balance life and work, sharpen their skills in practice management, and train for future leadership positions.

Physician leadership in healthcare has never been more critical. Consider enrolling in the SDSMA Health Leadership Institute’s (HLI) next cohort. Given the enormous changes now taking place in health and healthcare across the nation, there has never been a greater need for physician leadership.

The next cohort begins October 16, 2026!

Contact:

What is the Health Leadership Institute?

The HLI aims to prepare physicians to lead the transformation of health care by furthering their knowledge, skills and insights. Learn ways to bring the clinical perspective to decisions that are essential to the delivery of quality, efficient and cost-effective health care.

The program offers current and future leaders the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the role leadership plays in medicine, and prepares participants for roles within their practice location, health system, and greater professional development, civic development, community engagement as well as leadership skills training. Scholarships are available!

Thinking about enrolling? Full and partial tuition scholarships may be available for those eligible! Or, tuition for a physician leadership program is a great way to use your CME dollars.

Six monthly sessions are held Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, from October through March. Sessions 1 and 6 are held in Sioux Falls. Sessions 2 through 5 are virtual. Friday sessions are 5:30-9:30 pm. Saturday sessions are 8:00 am-12:00 pm.

Curriculum: Self-Awareness; Interpersonal Communications; Teamwork and Collaboration; Systems Awareness; Wellness Centered Leadership; Influencing Organization Change and Culture

CME: Approximately 50 Category 1 CME credits

2026-27 Cohort Schedule:

  • Session 1 – Self Awareness – October 16-17, 2026
  • Session 2 – Interpersonal Communications – November 13-14, 2026
  • Session 3 – Teamwork and Collaboration – December 11-12, 2026
  • Session 4 – Systems Awareness – January 22-23, 2027
  • Session 5 – Wellness Centered Leadership – February 26-27, 2027
  • Session 6 – Influencing Organization Change & Culture – April 2-3, 2027

How do I apply?
Those interested in participating in the next cohort, which begins October 16, 2026, may contact Justin Ohleen at johleen@sdsma.org.

2024 – 25 Graduates

  • Thomas Barrett, MD
  • Teresa Bormann, MD
  • Jon Buchanan, MD
  • John Faryna, MD
  • Blake Gustafson, MD
  • Farah Haque, MD
  • Taylor Kapsch, MD
  • Stephen Neabore, MD
  • Chris Newey, DO
  • Amanda Sedlacek, DO
  • Ashwyna Sunassee, MD
  • Alexandra White, DO

2023 – 24 Graduates

  • Benjamin C. Aaker, MD
  • Carolyn E. Gilbertson, MD
  • Martha M. Holstein, MD
  • Yang H. Hu, MD
  • Elizabeth Jensen, DO
  • Amy B. Kelley, MD
  • Sara R. Marroquin, MD
  • Joy A. Mueller, MD
  • Jessica L. Olcott, MD
  • Daniel H. Reiffenberger, MD
  • Ashlea D. Semmens, MD

2021 – 22 Graduates

  • Monica T. Bullock, DO
  • Josie V. Davis, MD
  • David. S. Fromm, MD
  • Deepak M. Goyal, MD
  • Mandi J. Greenway Bietz, MD
  • Zachariah Jensen, DO
  • Francine L. Mousseau, MD
  • Jacob F. Quail, MD
  • Sara J. Ruter, MD
  • Matthew J. Schaffer, DO
  • Erika Toyoda, MD
  • Nick J. Trombetta, MD
  • John Tronnes, MD
  • Laurie Weisensee, MD
  • April K. Willman, MD

2020 – 21 Graduates

  • Matthew C. Anderson, MD
  • Elyse N. Brock, MD
  • Anora D. Henderson, MD
  • Sherri D. Koch, MD
  • Mary Jo Olson, MD
  • Michael P. Pietila, MD
  • Michelle D. Schimelpfenig, DO
  • Scott L. Boyens, MD
  • Sarah A. Flynn, MD
  • Ken G. Maina, MD
  • Terri Peterson-Henry, DO
  • Shawn D. Van Gerpen, MD
  • Yorell Manon-Matos, MD

2019 – 20 Graduates

  • Denise Hanisch, MD
  • Laura Hoefert, MD
  • Madaiah Lokeshwari, MD
  • Emily Murphy, MD
  • Meghan O’Connell, MD
  • Heather Preuss, MD
  • Jennifer Schriever, MD
  • Jeremy Storm, DO
  • Teja Vasamsetty, MD
  • Brian Wilson, DO

2018 – 19 Graduates

  • Alaa Al Nofal, MD
  • Muslim Atiq, MD
  • Jesse J. Barondeau, MD
  • Mark N. Beard, MD
  • Fernando J. Bula-Rudas, MD
  • Sara H. Castellanos, DO
  • Kara L. Dahl, MD
  • Jennifer J. Tinguely, MD
  • Nazia N. Qazi, MD
  • Victoria L. Walker, MD