South Dakota is considering a proposal to build the nation’s first Indigenous School of Medicine in Rapid City, the Mitchell Republic reported June 1.
Here is what to know.
1. Donald Warne, MD, a physician, co-director for the Center for Indigenous Health at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, said the vision for the school is to weave traditions, ceremonies and cultures into the school’s curriculum. The school would prioritize well-being and competency, allowing students to take more than four years to complete the program, if needed. Dr. Warne said he hopes the school will begin enrolling students in 2030.
2. The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine in Sioux Falls is the only public medical school in the state. The two schools plan to collaborate on curriculum, share faculty and create residency programs tailored toward Indigenous students. USD currently collaborates with the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks on its InMED program, a pipeline to support Native American students in medical careers.
3. The proposed school received a $1 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to conduct a feasibility study and business plan, and received a $100,000 NDN Collective capacity building grant.
4. In 2024, 0.3% of practicing physicians in the U.S. were Native American.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
