About Sally Damm

MSA, LNHA, QALA, LSWA, and Preceptor

As an administrator, Sally handled many responsibilities in addition to the day-to-day operations. Her successful capital campaigns, grant writing, and construction projects enhanced the mission of delivering services to adults in need. Creating business plans, leading strategic planning sessions and promoting the importance of elder care to local, county, state and national elected and appointed officials prepared her for the challenges of promoting the world of possibilities of aging.

 

Sally has spoken at local, regional and national conferences for LeadingAge (former American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging), South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations and the ND and SD Dakota Transit Association, Brookings Area Transit Association staff training and guest speaker at South Dakota State University.  Below is a short clip from a presentation to a small business management class at SDSU.

Sally is the owner of Sally Damm Healthcare Consulting and Services LLC, which assists long-term-care healthcare support and service providers. Damm began her healthcare career more than 38 years ago.  Her areas of specialty include: advocacy, career mentoring, preceptor, staff development training, expert witness, and interim position. Damm began her part time speaking and consulting firm in 2002. 

 

Damm earned her Master of Science in Administrative Studies with emphasis on healthcare at the University of South Dakota.  Her thesis included International studies in Germany: “Alleviating Loneliness in a Vibrant Environment: A. L. I. V. E.  A Journey to Culture Change in Long-Term Care.”  She is presently a South Dakota Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA), Qualified Assisted Living Administrator (QALA), Licensed Social Worker Associate (LSWA), and Qualified South Dakota Preceptor.

 

Before becoming a full-time consultant, Damm was administrator of the United Retirement Center, Inc. (dba) United Living Community Inc., where she served for 18 years.  While at United Living Community, she and her staff spent tireless years focused on long-term-care support and services strategy, innovation, implementation and recognition of the need to transform services to the mature citizen. As the administrator of United Living Community she was engaged in directing services on a continuum of care campus which included a Medicare and Medicaid certified skilled nursing facility with an in-house rehabilitation therapy department, independent and assisted living facilities, adult day care and respite care services, and more.  

Under her administration, ULC collaborated with Home and Community Based Services, Hospice, Public Transportation, and created a nationally recognized  intergenerational campus.  Prior to that time, Damm spent 10 years as administrator of Sun Dial Manor, 

Inc., where she had her first successful capital campaign and was the first to have the vision to attach an assisted living facility to a skilled care facility. In Redfield, SD, she spent 10 years working as the director of a  community group home and later as a casemanager for the developmentally disabled.

She and her staff have humbly received the following professional achievements:

 

• SODEXHO Spirit of Excellence Award 2004

 

• 2004 Administrator of the Year from the South Dakota Dietitians Association and Dietary Managers Association

 

• Awarded the 2005 Circle of Excellence Award for Deficiency Free Survey from the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care

 

• 2006 Champion for Children Business by South Dakota Voices for Children National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

 

• 2006 Community Agency Service-Learning Award-Outstanding Contributions to Service Learning at South Dakota State University

 

• 2008 Generations United Intergenerational Shared Site Best Practices Award

 

• Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Leadership & Learning 2010 Businesswoman of the Year

 

• 2011-2013 and 2014-2016 Generations United Program of Distinction for quality intergenerational programming

 

• Governor’s Award for South Dakota Board of Vocational Rehabilitation 2012 Outstanding Private Employer (large employer category)