Reimagining the Dakota Conference on Rural Health
As it has done for more than 40 years, conference will share strategies for building and sustaining healthy communities in North Dakota
The Dakota Conference on Rural Health, which has been a mainstay in North Dakota for over 40 years, has seen different iterations over its four decades. In 2026, the summer conference is being reimagined. The conference will take a stronger look at leadership, workforce, and innovation happening throughout rural communities in North Dakota.
Comprised of four partner organizations, the University of North Dakota (UND) Center for Rural Health (CRH), the UND College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, the North Dakota Rural Health Association, and Altru Health System, the 2026 conference will have a focus on three areas:
- Leadership/administration
- Workforce
- Innovation in practice
The conference will take place across 1½ days and will feature three keynotes, 21 breakout sessions, poster presentations, time to visit with industry exhibitors, a legislative panel and an awards program. The conference will take place in Grand Forks at the Alerus Center on June 3-4, 2026. The reconfiguration of the conference is in response to surveys sent to past participants and exhibitors that were distributed this past summer.
Nicole Threadgold, CRH grant program director, is overseeing the coordination of the conference. “The partner organizations have diligently listened, learned, and reimagined the 2026 Dakota Conference on Rural Health to continue meeting attendee needs. We are excited for the new format and refined focus, and look forward to seeing everyone in Grand Forks.”
Call for Presentations
The call for presentations opened on Dec. 2 and will run through Jan. 9, 2026, at 5 p.m. Central time. Session topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Creative strategies
- Diverse populations
- Financing
- Prevention
- Professional development
- Quality
Registration
Exhibiting registration will open on Dec. 16, with a variety of levels and benefits.
The Center for Rural Health provides coordination and facilitation of the conference.
“We are honored to be able to facilitate the Dakota Conference on Rural Health,” said Jacob Warren, the Center’s director, “and be a part of bringing new ideas, best practices and innovative ideas to rural health professionals across the state.”
For More Information
For questions about the upcoming Dakota Conference on Rural Health or registration information, please reach out to:
Nicole Threadgold
Grant Program Director
Nicole.threadgold@und.edu
About the author:
Jena Pierce is the communications manager at the Center for Rural Health at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
