Chair, Department of Neurosciences

The University of South Dakota (USD) Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM) located in Sioux Falls announces a nationwide search for an accomplished academic board-certified neurologist to serve as the next Chair, Department of Neurosciences. The Department of Neurosciences at the SSOM includes faculty in neurology and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

USD SSOM features a community-based faculty model that utilizes clinician educators employed by the three major hospital systems in South Dakota. At present, there are 46 neurologists and 17 physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians spanning a wide range of sub‑specialties with faculty appointments in the Department of Neurosciences providing clinical care across the state. An additional 30 faculty members hold adjunct faculty appointments in the department from a variety of disciplines including nursing, bioethics, pharmacy, psychology, chaplaincy, and other interprofessional backgrounds.

In 2023, Sanford Health and the SSOM initiated an accredited four-year neurology residency program with its first class of three residents. Residents train at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, a level‑one trauma center on the campus of the SSOM, with additional opportunities for training at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center. This is the only neurology residency program in the state of South Dakota. The SSOM also offers medical students a neurology clerkship and electives.

The Position

The Chair of the Department of Neurosciences for SSOM will be a respected board-certified academic neurologist with leadership experience in a medical school or similar environment. This individual will have demonstrated abilities as a leader, educator, clinician, and scholar. The position is based in Sioux Falls, but the chair is expected to work effectively and collegially with colleagues throughout the state, advancing the mission of the department in both rural and urban areas.

Required Qualifications:

• Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or equivalent accredited medical degree
• Board certified and residency trained in neurology
• Minimum of eight years of clinical experience
• Regionally and/or nationally recognized achievement in clinical, educational, and/or scholarly pursuits that would warrant an academic appointment at an advanced rank at USD
• Able to work collaboratively with academic and clinical faculty, medical students, and residents
• Commitment to holistic care of patients from every background
• Commitment to rural and urban practice environments, and to inter‑professional education
• Able to obtain a medical license and hospital privileges to practice in South Dakota

Specific duties and qualifications, along with additional information about the position and USD SSOM, can be found in the leadership profile above.