Full-spectrum family medicine with procedural depth, autonomy, and close faculty mentorship — in a tight-knit 9-9-9 program rooted in South Dakota and the Upper Midwest.
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
Three minutes with our residents and faculty. More honest than any brochure.
Why Sioux Falls
You train at Avera Health and Sanford Health, two of the region's largest systems. A variety of options for clinical experiences, with broader exposure and a stronger network before you ever graduate.
There are only 9 new residents per year in Sioux Falls. Not a face in a large cohort, but part of a tight team of 27. Attending physicians know who you are and what you're working on.
Manage complex pregnancy conditions through collaboration with our OB-GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine colleagues. Residents average 55+ deliveries over 3 years.
Sioux Falls has a significant refugee population. That gives you clinical exposure to patient diversity most rural programs never see. You train for the region without losing the range a bigger city brings.
Three-year program
Year One
Heavy inpatient time at Avera McKennan and Sanford Health, with weekly continuity clinic to start building your patient panel and managing OB cases independently.
Year Two
Residents spend two half-days per week at the Center for Family Medicine. Residents also see patients at Falls Community Health, a FQHC community clinic.
Year Three
An elective-heavy schedule with options to cover global health, LGBTQ medicine, perinatology, and other subspecialties.
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. Affordable, outdoorsy, and the kind of place residents actually want to stay in. Most of them do.
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
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
Ready to explore?
Curriculum details, training sites, electives, and the rural track.
Explore the curriculum →What life in Sioux Falls actually looks like. Parks, housing, cost of living.
Life in Sioux FallsThe best way to evaluate a program is to train in it. Request a 4-week rotation or a shadow day.
Request a rotation →Get to know faculty, current residents, and the people who'll shape your three years.
Meet the team →ERAS deadline: September 30. Interview season runs October through January.
Application checklist →The first step is showing up
The best way to evaluate a residency is to experience it. Rotate with us for an afternoon, a week, or a full month, and see how the program actually works before you apply.
Questions? Call 605-339-1783 or send us a message.
