Welcome to Dakota Medical Foundation's website. This site is dedicated to the original founders of our organization, to the many nonprofit organizations and government entities with whom we partner, and to the citizens of the communities we serve. We are ever mindful of the community treasure with which we have been entrusted. We have an exciting purpose - to measurably improve health and access to healthcare services. We are pledged to this goal now and for future generations.
We believe that what we do today will directly impact the future health of people in the communities we serve.
I am proud to serve as chair of Dakota Medical Foundation’s board of directors. This is a group of dedicated and talented medical and lay individuals from our community who have a heart for servant leadership and generously donate their time and talents to strategically guide the Foundation in fulfilling its health improvement mission.
Our board adopted DMF’s 2009-2011 Strategic Plan which focuses on two main areas of health improvement – prevention and access. A 2008 survey of DMF members, area nonprofits and health providers, along with regional data, laid the groundwork for the plan.
In 2009-2011, we’ll launch a new prevention program: The Cass Clay Healthy People Initiative. This program takes a community approach to encouraging active living and healthy eating to ultimately prevent chronic disease such as diabetes and other health problems. Our worksite wellness program will develop collaborative partnerships to bring prevention and early interventions to more worksites across our region.
Improved access to healthcare services will be achieved through implementation of effective healthcare workforce development strategies, in addition to our current access initiatives: Automated External Defibrillators, Children’s Mental Health, Covering Kids and Families, Dental Access, DMF Lend A Hand, and Prescription Assistance.
We will continue a very successful program to build the capacity of nonprofits to improve health through our partnership with Impact Foundation’s Institute for Innovation and Effectiveness. A $2 million Bush Foundation grant awarded to the Institute expands capacity-building services to include nonprofit board and executive leadership training, as well as other statewide capacity building education and training opportunities.
The future is exciting for Dakota Medical Foundation! We strive to be a leader in measurably improving health and access to healthcare services in our region. We identify barriers to “good” health and work strategically with our partners to eliminate those barriers. We assess the capacity needs of health-related nonprofits and help them meet and exceed those needs. We listen to you – our members, partners and communities. Together, we can achieve our ambitious goals and ensure the good health of the people in our region.
Your health is our Foundation!
Joel Haugen, M.D.
Chair, Board of Directors
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