RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City media professional Mark Houston, director of programming at HomeSlice Group, has been named the recipient of the 2026 South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations Distinguished Service Award for Healthcare Journalist of the Year.

The award recognizes individuals whose exceptional service, leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on healthcare throughout South Dakota. Houston serves as the host of the Doc Talk Podcast and writes a weekly health column on those that he interviews for The Rapid City Post.

In addition to his healthcare media work, Houston is a major contributor to The Rapid City Post, writing a weekly restaurant review “Taste the Room” and a dedicated whiskey article for the publication. He also co-hosts the Whiskey@Work podcast.

SDAHO Marketing and Media Relations Manager Stephanie Rissler noted that the honor reflects Houston’s “outstanding contributions and commitment to advancing healthcare in our state”.

Houston will be formally recognized during the SDAHO Distinguished Service Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. CDT at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.