Proposed Indigenous medical school in South Dakota aims to boost Native physician numbers
A first-of-its-kind institution in Rapid City seeks to integrate cultural traditions into medical training and address severe healthcare disparities
A newly proposed Indigenous School of Medicine aims to drastically increase the number of Native American physicians nationwide, who currently make up just .3% of practicing doctors.
According to reporting by South Dakota Searchlight, the initiative recently received a $1 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to conduct a feasibility study. Led by physician Donald Warne, the school hopes to begin enrolling students by 2030.
The program's curriculum will uniquely prioritize holistic well-being and cultural competency over traditional, rigid teaching methods. Organizers hope this culturally supportive environment will inspire Native students and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes for Indigenous communities.
- 1.Makenzie Huber. Proposed Indigenous medical school aims to boost Native physician numbers. South Dakota Searchlight, .
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