University of South Dakota School of Medicine Program
About This Program
As the first Emergency Medicine training site in the region, our programs aim is to advance the practice of EM in our community by producing physicians who are prepared for the challenges of practicing EM anywhere.
Program Length
3 Years
First Year Positions
6 Positions
Program Starts Reviewing Applications
Application service release date
Avg Work Hours
60 Hours/Week
Program Setting
Community/University
Application Service
Residency CAS
Program Statistics
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Program Characteristics
Resident Wellness
Supportive Environment & Friendly
Development Opportunities
Innovation & Growth Opportunities
Curriculum
Balanced Experience & Multidisciplinary Approach
Cases & Patients
Diverse Patients & High Volume Of Cases
Program Type
Small Size
Funding
Well Resourced
Contact Information
Program Director
Abigail L Polzin, MD
1301 W 18th St
Primary Program Contact
Juliet Koppenhaver, MD
Sanford Health
Survey Received: 6/15/2026
Program ID: 1104600001
Locations
University of South Dakota School of Medicine
1400 W 22nd St
Sioux Falls, SD 57105-1570
Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center
2905 3rd Ave SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Application Information
Applicant Interview Format
Virtual
Interviews Conducted Last Year
112 Interviews
Interviews/First Year Positions
18.7:1
Participates In
NRMP Main Match
--
Doesn't Participate In
- San Francisco Match
- Military Match (i.e., Joint Service Graduate Medical Education Selection Board, Military Selection Board)
- SAU/AU Match (i.e., Urology Match)
- None
Second Look
U.S. MD Applicants
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 1
Yes
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 2 CK
Yes
IMG Applicants
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 1
Yes
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 2 CK
Yes
DO Applicants
Must Have Passed COMLEX Level 1
Yes
Must Have Passed COMLEX Level 2
Yes
Requires the USMLE Step 1 and/or Step 2 CK
No
Specialty-specific standardized letter requirements
Yes
Total required letters of recommendation (excludes MSPE and Deans letter)
Minimum
2 Letters
Maximum
4 Letters
Required Letter Writers
- Letter(s) from someone within the specialty (e.g., faculty, attending)
Requires Previous GME
No
Required Supplemental Information
No
Osteopathic Recognition
No
Medical School Graduation Timeline
Graduation from medical school must have occurred within the past 4 year(s).
Gap Experience Requirement
PGY-1 applicants to this program with a gap of 1 year or more between medical school graduation and entry to residency must have the following experience occur during the gap: Clinical experience in the US
Resident / Fellow Characteristics
Three year averages. Medical school type does not include graduates of Canadian schools.
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Program Faculty
Faculty/Resident Ratio
1.6:1
Program Faculty
29
Female Faculty
41.4%
Faculty Distribution
Work Environment
Program Start Dates
June 28
Avg Hours/Week on Duty (During First Year)
60 Hours
Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty (During First Year)
--
Avg Number of 24 Hour Off Duty Periods Per Week (During First Year)
1.00
Program Allows Moonlighting (Beyond PGY-1)
Yes
Night Float System
No
Most Taxing Schedule & Frequency Per Year
Beeper or Home Call (Weeks / Year)
Year 1 - N/A
0
Year 2 - N/A
0
Year 3 - N/A
--
NA = Not Applicable
NGO = Negotiable
OTH = Other
Visa Status
This program will consider an appropriately qualified applicant with the following visa or visa status. Contact the program for additional information.
J-1 visa sponsorship through ECFMG
Yes
H-1B visa
Yes
F-1 visa (OPT 1st year)
No
Program Size
18
Current Residents
PGY-1 Position Type(s) Offered:
Categorical positions
PGY-2 Positions Not Offered
Key Dates & Timelines
2026 - 2027
Program Starts Reviewing Applications
Application service release date
Average PGY-1 Educational Environment
Structured Didactic Activities
5 Hours
Hospital Outpatient
N/A
Non-Hospital Ambulatory Care
N/A
Employment Policies & Benefits
Free parking
Educational Benefits
Curriculum to develop health systems leadership skills (e.g., QI project leadership, community/organizational advocacy)
Yes
International experience/global health
Yes
Resident/fellow retreats
Yes
Off-campus electives
Yes
Research rotation
Required (8 wks)
Integrative medicine curriculum
No
Formal program to foster interprofessional teamwork
No
Instruction in medical Spanish or other non-English language
No
Alternative/complementary medicine curriculum
No
Economics of health care systems curriculum
No
Debt management/financial counseling
No
Academic support for USMLE Step 3 and/or COMLEX-USA Level 3 preparation
No
Hospice/home care experience
No
MPH, MBA, PhD or other advanced degree training
No
Tracks & Educational Features
Another track
Yes
Primary care track
No
Hospitalist track
No
Research track/non-accredited fellowship track
No
Rural track
No
Women's health track
No
Academic or clinician educator track
No
Offers additional training or educational experience beyond accredited length
No
Evaluations
Aggregate resident Milestone achievements
Yes
Graduates board certification pass rates
No
Performance-based assessment scores (e.g. OSCE, patient or computer simulations)
Yes
Patient surveys
Yes
Portfolio system
Yes
Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE)
Yes
Medical Insurance Coverage
--
- Major medical for residents
- Major medical for dependents
- Major medical for domestic partners
- Outpatient mental health
- Inpatient mental health
- Group life insurance
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
Salary Compensation
$68K-$71K
Year 1 through Year 3
Year 1
$67,500
Year 2
$69,000
Year 3
$71,000
Salary paid by a non-profit institution.
Vacation & Sick Days
Residents receive 15 Vacation Days and 10 Sick Days annually to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
Maximum # of paid days
10 days
Maximum # of unpaid days
NGO
For more information, view the program's leave policy on their website.
Characteristics
Resident Wellness
Supportive Environment & Friendly
Development Opportunities
Innovation & Growth Opportunities
Curriculum
Balanced Experience & Multidisciplinary Approach
Cases & Patients
Diverse Patients & High Volume Of Cases
Program Type
Small Size
Funding
Well Resourced
Hard Working
Self-Motivated
Passionate
Team Player
Patient Focused
Inquisitive
Supportive
Friendly
Mentoring
Promotes Growth
Great Faculty
Personalized
Experience The Program
Quality of Life Information*
Sioux Falls, SD
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Estimated Monthly Costs
Estimated cost does not include rent.Family of 4
--
Single Person
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