Telemedicine Strengthens Rural EMS Care in South Dakota by Mark Johnston, Vice President of Government Affairs, Avel eCare When emergencies happen in rural South Dakota, the first responders are often neighbors. Volunteer EMTs, small-town ambulance crews, and local teams drop everything to answer a 9-1-1 call. In a state as large and rural as ours, they often care for patients miles from the nearest hospital or trauma center. Their work saves lives every day. But distance can make that job even more challenging. That is why continued support for innovative tools like telemedicine matters. Governor Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Legislature recently included support for Telemedicine in Motion in the FY2027 state budget. Their decision recognizes the important role technology can play in strengthening emergency care across rural communities. Now active in more than 100 South Dakota communities, Telemedicine in Motion, a partnership between the South Dakota Department of Health and Avel eCare, allows EMS crews to connect in real time with board-certified emergency physicians, experienced ER nurses, or paramedics through secure video. These clinicians can help guide patient assessment, treatment decisions, and hospital preparation while crews are still on scene or transporting patients. Partnering with local ambulance agencies throughout the state since 2022, we have supported more than 2,100 patient telemedicine encounters: car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and farm accidents. Each one represents a moment when technology and clinical expertise helped EMS crews make critical decisions and provide care sooner. Telemedicine does not replace the work of South Dakota’s EMS teams. It strengthens it. By extending clinical expertise directly into the field, it supports the professionals already doing the difficult work of responding to emergencies across rural communities. For patients in remote areas, those early moments of care can make all the difference. Programs like Telemedicine in Motion help ensure EMS crews have the support they need to deliver the best possible care. South Dakota’s EMS teams have always been the backbone of emergency care in rural communities. With continued support from state leaders and strong partnerships across healthcare, tools like telemedicine will help ensure those teams remain equipped to serve patients wherever emergencies occur. ...read more read less