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