Government funded agencies whose mission is to improve the healthcare needs of the most underserved people in their state.
In South Dakota 53 of the State’s 66 counties are federally designated health professional shortage areas and 61 have mental health professional shortages.
The AHECs in SD are working to meet this need in three ways:
• Providing educational activities for students from Kindergarten - Graduate School • Providing continuing education activities for medical professionals • Providing communities with professional recruitment opportunities
. . . a four week summer program that places two students from different health professions together in a rural healthcare system for a
holistic view of what it is like to work and live in a rural community.
• To increase the number of clinical psychology, certified nurse practitioner, medical laboratory science, physician, physician assistant, pharmacy and social work students who have a positive experience in rural and frontier communities of South Dakota • To promote interprofessional learning
• HRSA Grant Funding from 2011- 2013
• Grew from 3 sites/6 students to 9 sites/18 students • Pharmacy students paired with Medical, DNP or PA
• South Dakota Office of Rural Health Funding in 2014
• 11 sites and 21 students
• Expansion in 2015 to seven disciplines, 15 sites and 30 students
• Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Social Work, Medical Laboratory Science, Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant.
Apply online by Dec. 30th at: www.rehps.org
Write a one page essay about why you
are interested in a rural experience, practicing
in a rural area or staying in South Dakota to
work.
Essay
Stipend is $4000 for 4 weeks!
30 students will be placed in 15 facilities across SD . . .
Site visits will be done during your experience.
Professional photos taken during orientation!
Students will be selected by a panel from the SD
Department Of Health and the Yankton Rural
Area Health Education Center.
You will need one recommendation from a professor or former
employer. May be sent directly to
cheri.buffington @ yrahec.org or
attached to application.
Recommendation Attach your current resume or CV. Please include your current
and permanent home address. Also make sure it includes any previous
health professions experience.
Resume Facilities provide housing and meals. Students do
community projects.
Application Process
• Pharmacy • Cardiac Rehab • Leadership Workshops • Outreach Clinics • Telemedicine • Visiting Specialists • Behavioral Health • Risk Management • Wellness Initiatives • Community Health
• Physical Therapy • Radiology • Lab • Surgeries • Colonoscopies • Home Health Visits • Rounds & Clinic with Doctors • Long Term Care • Health Information Fairs • Infection Control
Miller**
Parkston****
Philip**
Platte**
Redfield****
Sisseton**
Sturgis
Wagner***
Webster*
Winner***
Bowdle*
Canton
Chamberlain
Custer**
Hot Springs
*Stars indicate past years of participation
Wessington Springs (2011-2013)
• Twenty six of our 29 graduates (90%) are practicing in South Dakota
• Thirteen of 29 (45%) are practicing in populations under 50,000 or VA
REHPS Participation Year
# of Graduates # Practicing in South Dakota
# Practicing in SD population under
50,000 or VA
# Completing Residency
2011 5 4 1 1
2012 8 7 6 4
2013 8 7 4 4
2014 3 3 0
2015 5 5 2
Total 29 26 13 9
Post Survey Questions # Responding
Agree/Strongly Agree 2012-2015
% Responding Agree/Strongly Agree
2012-2015
% of Increase over corresponding pre
experience response
After my 4 weeks of rural practice, I am more likely to consider rural healthcare for my future profession.
71/76 93.42% 7.70%
After my 4 weeks I have a better understanding of rural healthcare. 74/75 98.67% 43.11%
After my 4 weeks I feel more comfortable in the rural healthcare setting. 75/76 98.68% 32.01%
Because of my experience, the facility is a place that I would consider for future placement. 58/75 77.33% NA
Paul Berndt REHPS 2014: Parkston
Mankato, MN
Ryan Buse REHPS 2014: Sisseton
Brandon, SD
Kristin Wempe REHPS 2014: Wagner
Mitchell, SD
Randall Waldner REHPS 2014: Redfield
Redfield, SD
Austin Huber REHPS 2015: Custer
Brandon, SD
Emma Bye REHPS 2015: Parkston
Harrisburg, SD
Stephen Bollinger REHPS 2015: Wagner
Pierre, SD
Kelly McKnight REHPS 2015: Philip
Sioux Falls, SD
Brady Coburn REHPS 2015: Winner
Sioux Falls, SD
Anthony Loewen REHPS 2012: Wessington Springs
Huron, SD
Rebecka Bogue REHPS 2013: Miller
Beresford, SD
Mikaela Miller REHPS 2012: Wagner
Spencer, NE (UNL)
Miranda Tracey REHPS 2012: Redfield
Pierre, SD
Josh Ryan REHPS 2011: Redfield
Sioux Falls, SD
Liz Hoffman REHPS 2013: Sisseton
Eureka, SD
Kevin Oliver REHPS 2013: Redfield
Aberdeen, SD
Martha Holstein REHPS 2013: Parkston
Fairfax, SD
Erin Rasmussen REHPS 2013: Platte
Vermillion, SD
Oct/Nov: Applications released at www.rephs.org Requirements include: application, essay, resume and recommendation Deadlines are staggered based on discipline
Dec 30th : Medical Student Deadline
Jan 30th: Announcement
April: Orientation Date TBA
May/June: Start Summer Experience