After announcing plans to consolidate the USD Sanford School of Medicine to Sioux Falls, university officials say the response has been largely positive. Two months into the process, USD offered an update on the program to the Board of Regents.
The move saw some criticism, but many across the state viewed the decision to focus the first leg of medical school in Sioux Falls rather than Vermillion as a net positive for the state’s med students and staff.
USD president Shelia Gestring said it consolidates resources into a population center. So far, she said there have been few bumps in the road.
“Energy, the excitement since the announcement from our alumni, our donors, our friends, has been what I’d describe as electric," Gestring said. "Even more than Dr. (Tim) Ridgway and I could have anticipated.”
She said the decision helps both the school of medicine and the main campus in Vermillion.
“Fifty years ago, the state of South Dakota was fiftieth in physician to patient ratio with only 500 practicing MDs," Gestring said. "Students were required to leave the state of South Dakota to obtain their MD degree. Leadership 50 years ago wanted to do better, and they added those two years to complete the MD degree in Sioux Falls. South Dakota is now thirty-fifth in the country for physician to patient ratio.”
Gestring said now there’s over 2,200 MDs across the state.
“State of the art medical education connects students with clinicians on day one," Gestring said. "Moving the first eighteen months from Vermillion to Sioux Falls will improve the student experience and eliminate commute requirements.”
Sanford Health, the medical school’s partner and the largest hospital network in the state, is headquartered in Sioux Falls.