THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA’S SANFORD SCHOOL OF MEDICINE WILL MOVE THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF ITS DOCTOR OF MEDICINE PROGRAM FROM VERMILLION TO SIOUX FALLS.
U-S-D OFFICIALS MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THURSDAY WITH GOVERNOR LARRY RHODEN AND OTHER STATE, LOCAL, AND UNIVERSITY LEADERS.
U-S-D PRESIDENT SHEILA GESTRING STATED THAT BY CONSOLIDATING THIS PORTION OF MEDICAL EDUCATION IN SIOUX FALLS, THEY CAN MAKE AN EVEN GREATER IMPACT WHILE ALSO IMPROVING THE EXPERIENCE OF FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS.”
U-S-D MEDICAL STUDENTS ALREADY SPEND THEIR FINAL 30 MONTHS IN SIOUX FALLS, WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK AND LEARN IN THE CITY’S MEDICAL FACILITIES.
THE MOVE WILL END THE COMMUTE FOR STUDENTS CURRENTLY TRAVELING FOR CLINICAL WORK AND ADDRESSES FACILITY ISSUES AT VERMILLION’S AKELEY-LAWRENCE SCIENCE CENTER.
VERMILLION MAYOR JON COLE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT LOSING STUDENTS AND STAFF FROM THEIR COMMUNITY.
THE MEDICAL SCHOOL WILL TEMPORARILY OPERATE OUT OF SANFORD HEALTH BUILDINGS, WITH PLANS FOR A NEW FACILITY IN SEVEN TO TEN YEARS, PENDING LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.
