Skip to main content

2026 Dakota Conference Reimagined: Call for Presentations Now Open

Dec 3, 2025

Dakota Conference The Dakota Conference on Rural Health, which has been a mainstay in North Dakota for over 40 years, is being reimagined. This year the conference will take a stronger look at leadership, workforce, and innovation happening throughout rural North Dakota communities.

The conference will be one and a half 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."

Presenting at Dakota Conference

Rural health professionals are encouraged to submit abstracts for the 2026 Dakota Conference on Rural Health. Oral and poster presentations should feature community or research projects that can be replicated. They should implement creative strategies between rural entities with an emphasis on education and developing partnerships.

Primary presentation categories:

  • Leadership/administration
  • Workforce
  • Innovation in practice

Topic suggestions within these categories include, but are not limited to:

  • Access
  • Creative strategies
  • Diverse populations
  • Financing
  • Prevention
  • Professional development
  • Quality

To learn more about presenting, visit the Dakota Conference website for detailed information.

Deadline: Abstract submissions must be received no later than 5:00 pm Central on January 9, 2026.

Facilitated By:

  • Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Supported By:

Questions?

Nicole Threadgold, Grant Program Director
Center for Rural Health
(701) 330-3264
nicole.threadgold@UND.edu