We've designed our program with a rural physician perspective and full-spectrum training as the top priorities. You get three years to push yourself, add to your experiences, and prepare for practice.
What the day-to-day looks like
Residents practice hundreds of miles from many specialty services — the next nearest non-critical access hospital is more than 150 miles away. You'll get comfortable with limitations that help you thrive in rural practice.
Experienced faculty, diverse learning opportunities, and freedom to tailor your education to fit your future practice — from electives to longitudinal curriculum in behavioral health, QI, and addiction medicine.
Pierre is just the right size — meet someone new and see a familiar face in the same day. Weekend trips to the Black Hills or Sioux Falls, or stay local for Lake Oahe, parks, and community events.
The program encourages autonomy, but faculty have dedicated their careers to family medicine and are ready to help you learn — in Sioux Falls for Year 1 and in Pierre for years 2 and 3.
Hands-on, every week
Airway, chest tube, joint injection, suturing, slit lamp, casting — residents rehearse the procedures rural family medicine requires before performing them in clinic.
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Program rituals
Three days at an area resort, retreat, or activity, on the program's dime. Residents pick the destination. No agenda beyond actually being together away from clinic.
Monday through Thursday at noon with lunch provided. In-house teaching across disciplines, scheduled grand rounds, journal clubs, and quality-improvement sessions.
Our residents are involved in a number of community engagement activities including radio and television appearances, health fairs, and sports sideline medicine.
Where you'll live
Pierre is a great little place to call home — just the right size where you'll meet someone new and see a familiar face in the same day. Perfectly positioned for a weekend trip to the Black Hills or Sioux Falls.
Year 1 is in Sioux Falls. Years 2 and 3 you'll enjoy outdoor activities on Lake Oahe, entertainment downtown, and a community that welcomes residents and their families.
See it for yourself
Residents will tell you the program reads the same in person as it does on paper. A rotation puts you in clinic, at noon conference, and in the resident workroom. Bring questions.