Physician Shadowing Program

Regional Health's Physician Shadowing Program is a community-based health care system of more than 40 health care facilities in Western South Dakota. The shadowing experience coincides with Regional Health's mission and values to provide and support health care excellence in partnership with the communities we serve.   First or second year medical students can gain experience in a broad range of medical specialties by working with local physicians, residents, and hospital staff. During a six-week time period, students will be paired with physicians and other health care professionals in Hospital Medicine, Primary Care Medicine, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Infectious Disease, Radiology, and Cardiology.

Program Application About the Area Physician Opportunities

About the Area

The area has the largest concentration of national and state parks, monuments, scenic drives and attractions, such as the Mickelson Trail, of anywhere in the country. You'll enjoy waterfalls, abundant wildlife, acclaimed recreational trails and spectacular trout fishing in many of our spring-fed mountain streams. Thousands of people visit world-famous Mount Rushmore and the area's many diverse attractions every year. Historic Deadwood has become a national destination for entertainment and gaming and is the area's alpine skiing and winter sports headquarters.

The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attracts hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts every August. Mountain carving continues near Custer on the sculpture of the Lakota Chief Crazy Horse, expected to be the world's largest sculpture when completed. The natural charms of Spearfish attract shoppers, artists and sightseers as the gateway to the beautiful Spearfish Canyon National Scenic Byway.

Program Overview

Students will work in the fields of Hospital Medicine, Primary Care Medicine, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Infectious Disease, Radiology, and Cardiology during a six-week time period.
Other elective opportunities may include Endocrinology, Neurology, Rheumatology, and Clinical Research.

Goals of the Program

Provide observational experience to include, but not limited to:

• Treatment of patients
• Office/hospital functions and management
• Diagnostic procedures and use of medical equipment
• Observation of health care teams
• Provide understanding of community interactions and the functions of a health care system from a leadership perspective

Eligibility Requirements

• Complete a Regional Health Physician Shadowing Program Application form:
  Deadline - March 1, 2012 
• Be in good academic standing 
• Be available May 21 - June 29 to complete the program
• Students must submit a complete application including all requested health forms

Expectations of the Physician and Health Care Professional

• Provide opportunities for the students to observe his or her daily activities and interactions with patients.
• The physician/health care professional will determine other health care related activities suitable for the student's observation and/or participation.  
• The physician/health care professional will provide opportunities to address issues relative to medical matters and/or patient interactions.
• The physician/health care professional has the right to determine which situations are appropriate for student exposure. 

Selection Process

Applicants will be selected by the Regional Health Physician Shadowing Program Selection Committee and will be notified no later than April 1, 2012. Students selected will be provided with a stipend of $3,500 along with lodging and meal assistance.

For more information, call or email Rod Marchiando, PharmD at
(605) 716-3982 or rmarchiand@regionalhealth.com.

You may complete an online application here.

Student Program Orientation and Requirements

• All accepted applicants must complete and submit all paperwork and immunization requirements by May 14, 2011. 
• All documents and forms will be provided with the acceptance letter and returned to: Regional Health Physician Shadowing Program, 725 Meade Street, Suite 100, Rapid City, SD 57701
• Tuberculin skin test with negative result
• Regional Health Dress Code Policy
• Regional Health Confidentiality Statement
• Code of Conduct Statement/Agreement
• Current CPR certification
• Immunization Record
• Must attend a MANDATORY orientation meeting scheduled for May 23, 2010, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., in Rapid City, at Rapid City Regional Hospital's West Auditorium. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and the orientation begins promptly at 8 a.m.