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| Aug 27, 2009 |
USD Medical School receives grant aimed at health care need |
| VERMILLION, S.D. -- The Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota has received a $372,000 federal grant to address a critical health care and economic development need in the state – a shortage of health care professionals in rural areas. |
| The initial program funding will create the Yankton Rural Area Health Education Center, which will be located on the campus of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. Through the center, the medical school will work to increase the number, diversity, quality and geographic distribution of health care providers throughout the state. Projected funding of over one million dollars per year for years two and three of the grant proposal will allow the school to develop an additional center in South Dakota.
A recent South Dakota Healthcare Workforce Summit identified the need for more providers, especially physicians, physician assistants and clinical laboratory scientists. USD offers training in all three areas through the medical school or the School of Health Sciences. "We're excited to receive this grant because it offers us a chance to help address a critical need for health care," said H. Bruce Vogt, M.D., chair of the Department of Family Medicine and director for the program. "It also helps us address an important economic development issue because many parts of the state need to sustain or improve health care to survive and thrive." Vogt and Lori Hansen, M.D., dean of the medical school’s Yankton campus, are the principal investigators for the grant. The vision for the Yankton center includes creating awareness about health professions among all South Dakota high school students, providing more opportunities for continuing education for health professionals and using distance technology and other technology to bridge gaps in training and development. Funding for Area Health Education Centers is provided federally through the Bureau of Health Professions, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Photos of Vogt and Hansen are available for download at: www.usd.edu/urelations/images/Bruce_Vogt.jpg www.usd.edu/urelations/images/Lori_Hansen.jpg About the Sanford School of Medicine For more than a century, the Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota has set the standard for medical education of students, residents and professionals in the state. The school’s mission includes education, research and service. It emphasizes family practice to help create the next generation of doctor’s for all parts of the state. The school’s economic impact includes attracting $17 million annually in research funding as well as hosting two of the four 2010 Research Centers designated by the governor. |
| About The University of South Dakota |
| Founded in 1862, The University of South Dakota is designated as the only public liberal arts university in the state and is home to a comprehensive College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, the state's only School of Law, School of Medicine, the accredited Beacom School of Business and the College of Fine Arts. It has an enrollment of more than 9,600 students taught by 400 faculty members. More information is available at www.usd.edu/press/news.
This material is available in an alternate format upon request. Please contact University Relations at 605-677-5759. If you are a person with a disability and need a special accommodation to fully participate in any university activity or event, please contact Disability Services at 605-677-6389 as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made. |
MEDIA CONTACTS: |
| Phillip Carter |
| The University of South Dakota |
| 605-677-6258 |
| phillip.carter@usd.edu |
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