The South Dakotan Health is the story hub of the USD School of Health Sciences. Here you’ll find stories and news highlighting the meaningful contributions of our students, faculty and staff, and alumni.
Service & Advocacy
Senator Reed Elected as Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment Advisory Board Chair
The Latest
May 13, 2025
Interdisciplinary Clinical Outreach Trip Changes Lives for USD Students
When five University of South Dakota students packed their bags for Guatemala, they weren’t just gearing up for a change of scenery – they were embarking on a life-changing experience.
Mar 05, 2025
USD Student Anna Harlan Receives Airman of the Year
Anna Harlan, a senior health sciences major at the University of South Dakota, has been selected as one of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) Airmen of the Year for 2024.
Apr 17, 2025
Transformative Nursing Education: Lisa Varenhorst’s Journey with USD’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
For Lisa Varenhorst, instructor in the Department of Nursing at the University of South Dakota and graduate of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, the journey from critical care nurse to educator was entirely organic.
Apr 08, 2025
Mrozla and Feldhacker Honored with USD Belbas-Larson Awards
Associate Professor Thomas Mrozla and Assistant Professor Mackenzie Feldhacker are the recipients of the 2025 University of South Dakota Belbas-Larson Awards for Excellence in Teaching. They will be recognized at the USD commencement ceremony and receive a framed certificate, a commemorative medal and a $5,000 tribute.
Alumni
Brock Rops Receives South Dakota Office of Rural Health Award
The South Dakota Office of Rural Health has announced that Brock Rops has been named recipient of the South Dakota Office of Rural Health Community Star award.
The Magic of Starting Over: Alumnus Dave Hobler Creates Scholarship Reflective of His Experiences
"When you’re handed lemons, you need to figure out how to make lemonade."
Students Advance Education in State’s Largest City at USD – Sioux Falls
University of South Dakota – Sioux Falls students are taking advantage of the high-quality, affordable education and small class sizes offered at the university’s Sioux Falls campus.
More Headlines
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Offering Hope: Nursing Student and USD HOSA President Donates Stem Cells
Summary: Committed to making a difference in the lives of others, University of South Dakota nursing student Ashley Miedema extended this commitment by becoming a stem cell donor. Now, she advocates for others to do the same.
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CPCM Improves Nutrition Security and Child Health Through WIC-CIAO Grant
Summary: The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM), a center of the University of South Dakota, has spent the past year implementing initiatives to improve nutrition security and child health in South Dakota, thanks to a $1 million subaward from the Food Research & Action Center.
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USD Department of Physical Therapy Screens Community Members for PAD
Summary: The University of South Dakota Department of Physical Therapy provided health screenings to identify early signs of peripheral artery disease (PAD) at the Dakota Farm Show in January at the DakotaDome.
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CPCM Trains Hundreds on Child Maltreatment Prevention
Summary: The University of South Dakota’s Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) has implemented a training module that has guided hundreds of health care students and professionals in recognizing the first signs of child abuse.
Guest Column
I chose family medicine because I love the idea of being 'everyone's doctor.' I also love making sure my patients are up to date with their immunizations and health care screenings. It's so important.
Guest Column | Lizz & Robbie Nicholas
Elizabeth (Hoffman) Nicholas, a Eureka, South Dakota native, and Robert Nicholas, a Huron, South Dakota native, met at the University of South Dakota when they were both in the Alumni Student Scholars Program, each with the dream of becoming a doctor.
