Sanford Health funds scholarships for SD medical students

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Sanford Health has pledged $300,000 per year to create a large scholarship program for medical students at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. That amount will be matched annually by USD’s foundation.

A joint committee from Sanford Health and the medical school will select scholarship recipients this summer with the first year of tuition assistance distributed for the 2019-2020 academic calendar.

“We take our commitment to support our local communities very seriously,” said Paul Hanson, president for Sanford Health Sioux Falls. “The formation of this scholarship isn’t just helping local students achieve their dreams; it also solidifies our future with the brightest and best minds making their careers in the field of health care.”

Ten medical students from each class will be selected annually to receive a $7,500 scholarship. Students who are enrolled in classes for 2019-2020 are eligible in the scholarship’s first year.

“We are deeply grateful for this transformational gift,” said Mary Nettleman, M.D., USD Sanford School of Medicine dean. “It will make a significant difference for our students and inspire them to become the best physicians they can be.”

The Sanford School of Medicine and Sanford Health are named after philanthropist Denny Sanford. Mr. Sanford gifted $20 million to the University of South Dakota in 2006 to enhance faculty, training programs and development. To date, he has given nearly $1 billion to Sanford Health to care for people around the world and to develop the next generation of treatments and cures.