Dr. Gerald Yutrzenka Alumni Scholarship Endowment Honors His Broad and Deep Legacy
As an assistant professor in the university’s Division of Basic Biological Sciences, Yutrzenka taught physiology and pharmacology to medical students as well as undergraduates and graduate students, including students in the Departments of Physician Assistant Studies and Physical Therapy.
In 1991, Yutrzenka was promoted to associate professor and joined the administrative team at the medical school as its director of admissions, a position he held for nearly 10 years. In 1992 he helped found the Alumni Student Scholars Program and two years later assumed leadership of that program, holding that position for 25 years, until 2019, when he retired with professor emeritus status.
His work to diversify the student body will forever be one of Yutrzenka’s hallmarks. As the SSOM’s first associate dean of diversity and inclusion, and before that, its first director of diversity, he promoted health care careers to Native Americans, innovating and guiding medical school programs targeting greater diversity in medical fields. He was a leader in championing the cause of disadvantaged populations, especially opportunities for health care careers for Native Americans in South Dakota, as well as directing the Alumni Student Scholars Program and forming a close collaborative partnership with the Indians Into Medicine (INMED) program.
Eventually his efforts elevated him to a national leader for diversity, as he chaired the Committee on Student Diversity Affairs for the Group on Student Affairs of the Association of American Medical Colleges and was recognized with several prestigious awards.
One of Yutrzenka’s protégés, Katherine Degen ‘08 M.D., was the catalyst for bringing the scholarship to reality. An OB/GYN at Rapid City Medical Center and clinical assistant professor at the SSOM, Dr. Degen was a recipient of the ASSP scholarship as an undergraduate student. She said that Yutrzenka was a very important influence on her, guiding her and providing valuable continuity through her undergraduate years.
“Dr. Yutrzenka helped many students navigate difficult coursework,” Dr. Degen stated. “He guided us though the premedical years and helped us understand what lay ahead in medical school. He was integral in helping us all succeed so that we could excel in medical school. For many of us, this was our first time being away from home. He provided a constant contact person with an open-door policy.”
Upon his retirement in 2019, reflecting on the previous three and half decades, Yutrzenka expressed gratitude and satisfaction with his career. “I am grateful I was provided opportunities to lead efforts and perform a variety of responsibilities,” he said. “I was able to grow by doing these things, and I was able to contribute to the medical school and the university, including being able to directly assist students and work to diversify the student body. I have relished working with our students, with our faculty, and with the school’s leadership, as part of administration. This has meant a great deal to me from both a professional and a personal standpoint.”
“He is a wonderful role model, selfless and humble, and endlessly patient with his students,” continued Dr. Degen. “He was always so proud of all our achievements. Dr. Yutrzenka dedicated many years to ensuring premedical students were well prepared for the rigorous task of becoming doctors. He has been integral in the education of many physicians over the years.”
The Yutrzenka scholarship will be given to one student per year who is in good standing, with preference given to medical students who were enrolled in the Alumni Student Scholars Program during their undergraduate studies at USD and who show significant financial need.
