Rooted in community. Ready for rural medicine.
50+
Years Training Physicians
Established 1973
500+
Physicians Trained
And practicing across the region
<30,000
Practice Population
Where our graduates practice — communities under 30,000
80%
Stay in the Upper Midwest
SD, Iowa, Nebraska, or Minnesota
Program overview
Why Sioux Falls
Train at Avera Health and Sanford Health, two of the region’s largest health systems. Learn from a variety of care teams, gain broad clinical experience, and build connections that support you through residency and into your career.
With nine new residents each year, you’re part of a close-knit team of 27. Attending physicians get to know you, your strengths, and your goals, offering personal guidance as you grow into the physician you want to become.
Care for growing families and build confidence managing complex pregnancy conditions alongside our OB-GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine colleagues. Residents average more than 55 deliveries over three years, gaining hands-on experience with experienced physicians beside them.
Care for patients from many backgrounds, including Sioux Falls’ refugee communities. Learn how culture and life experiences shape care while building the broad clinical skills to serve families throughout our region.
Three-year program
Year One
Gain extensive inpatient experience at Avera McKennan and Sanford Health while beginning to build relationships with your own patients in weekly continuity clinic. Take a leading role in managing OB care, with faculty guidance as your skills and confidence grow.
Year Two
Spend two half-days each week at the Center for Family Medicine, growing your skills and relationships with your patients. You’ll also care for patients at Falls Community Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), gaining experience serving families across the community.
Year Three
With more time for electives, tailor your training to your interests and the communities you hope to serve. Explore global health, LGBTQ health, perinatology, and other specialties as you prepare for the next chapter in your career.
Where you train
Sponsoring Institution
One of the region's largest faith-based health networks. At Avera McKennan, you'll train inside an integrated hospital that's deeply tied to communities across the Upper Midwest.
Sponsoring Institution
The nation's largest rural health system, headquartered right here in Sioux Falls. At Sanford, you'll work with the systems and patient populations you'll see for the rest of your career in regional practice.
Rural Rotation Sites
South Dakota and surrounding rural communities
Where you’ll live
South Dakota’s largest city brings together a friendly community, affordable living, and plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. It’s a place to build your career, put down roots, and feel at home long after residency.
Live weather — Sioux Falls, SD
4 semi-pro sports teams · 12 golf courses · 8 swimming pools
225K+
Population
80+
Public parks
30 mi
Bike trails
700+
Restaurants
$310K
Median home price
$1,100
Median rent/mo
Rural Family Medicine Residency
Spend year one in Sioux Falls and years two and three in Pierre, with just two new residents each year. Train for rural practice in a separate program closely affiliated with Sioux Falls Family Medicine Residency, with its own application.
Voices from the program
“The advantage in Sioux Falls is that there are not several other specialized residency programs competing for the educational process, so our residents are the ones that manage and help physicians in these specialized areas.”
“Because of refugee relocation, we see so much global health and diseases you would not see elsewhere. To get that training without even leaving Sioux Falls is pretty amazing.”
“It prepared me in all aspects of family medicine. I got to see so many different things that usually now when I am seeing them in practice I am comfortable and familiar with them.”
“Center for Family Medicine prepared me to practice anywhere I want with competence and kindness. I made lifelong friendships with residents, faculty, and staff and feel more than prepared to start my rural practice.”
"Family medicine treats every generation, from newborns to geriatric patients. No other specialty offers that range, or that flexibility."
The Sioux Falls program is built for that. We're backed by two major health systems, Avera McKennan and Sanford Health, and affiliated with the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. That dual sponsorship means broader clinical exposure and a stronger professional network before you ever graduate.
Our residents work on real patient safety initiatives and quality improvement projects. Our board pass rate reflects the training, and the time our faculty puts in for every resident, every year.
Our goal is simple: train physicians who will be exceptional in whatever setting they end up practicing. Take a look at what we've built here.
Brad Kamstra, DO
Program Director, Sioux Falls Family Medicine Residency
Discover where you’ll learn, how you’ll grow, and the opportunities to follow your interests.
Explore the curriculum →Explore local parks, housing, and everyday living in the community you could call home.
Life in Sioux FallsJoin us for a four-week rotation or shadow day to meet our team and get a feel for training here.
Request a rotation →Get to know the faculty, residents, and staff who’ll learn alongside you, guide you, and cheer you on.
Meet the team →Apply through ERAS. We look forward to getting to know you during interviews held October through January.
Application checklist →Come get to know us
Spend an afternoon, a week, or a month with us. Meet our people, experience the training, and get a feel for life here before you apply.
Questions? Call 605-339-1783 or send us a message.
