Healthcare

Dakota Midday: Rise-Up Program's Goal Is Reducing Health Inequity

SDPB Radio | By Karl Gehrke

Published June 11, 2015 at 4:25 PM CDT

Health disparity in the U.S. is a problem among certain population groups, such as South Dakota’s rural areas and Native American communities. To help bridge the health care gap, the Rise-Up program offers internships to young men and women from underserved areas who are interested in health care careers. The idea is that they will return and serve their home communities.

The formal name for the program is Maternal and Child Health Careers: Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP). It was launched in 2012 with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and its Center for Disabilities is one of three training sites along John Hopkins University and the University of Southern California. The Kennedy Krieger Institute, which is affiliated with John Hopkins, disburses funds to the partner institutions to facilitate the Rise-Up programs.

Interest in the program at USD has grown. In 2012 there were 18 eligible applicants and 8 internships awarded. This year there were 65 eligible applicants and 10 internships awarded. The ten-week summer Rise-Up summer internship program began last month.

Tyler Hemmingson, Rise-Up coordinator and recruitment specialist at USD, joined Dakota Midday and discussed the program.

Healthcare

Karl Gehrke

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.

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