Simulation lab students working on test programs.

School of Health Sciences

You have a passion for helping others. We have the industry connections, state-of-the-art facilities and person-centered training you need to thrive.

Known for Excellence

Prepare to serve others and the health care system as a leader capable of delivering expert guidance, compassionate care and transformative healing at USD.

Given the rapidly-changing landscape of health care, our health systems need practice-ready professionals who are adaptable and confident as they deliver the highest quality care. The USD School of Health Sciences equips you with the hands-on experiences, expert guidance and holistic training you need to become a leader in your community.

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Departments

Addiction Counseling & Prevention

Dental Hygiene

Medical Lab Science

Nursing

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Physician Assistant Program

Public Health & Health Sciences

Social Work

Your Program Options

The USD School of Health Sciences offers flexible programs that emphasize real-world learning and person-centered care, preparing you to be a confident and empathetic leader.

Select a path to explore your options.

Alumna Success Story

USD's influence in my life has still been cultivating relationships with mentors that provide me direction and guide me to excellent research and researchers. I believe they prepared me well with understanding research evidence and how to keep thinking outside the box. I am not afraid to reach back to my former USD mentors for guidance even now. USD prepared me to never stop learning.

Marit E. Johnson, PT, MS, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Real-World Experience Starts Here

Home to the state’s only comprehensive health sciences school and medical school, USD offers a unique learning environment that mirrors the health care industry. Students from a variety of health care disciplines learn, train and practice together as coordinated teams. This enriches your education today and connects you with the colleagues you will work alongside tomorrow.

Student Gaining Hands-On Experience Working With a Patient Inside a Clinic.

Putting Humanity First

Humanity is at the center of health care; it should be at the center of your education, too.

At USD, you will gain the communication, emotional intelligence and teamwork skills you need to serve others at the highest standard of care. Because your education is not only about developing the expertise you need to succeed; it is also about developing you into a capable leader who serves others with confidence, empathy and compassion.

Learn in New, State-of-the-Art Facilities

The world of health care is expanding and changing each day. At USD, we believe your learning environment should be as innovative and dynamic as this rapidly-growing field.

The University of South Dakota is welcoming students into a new School of Health Sciences building the fall 2022 semester. The three-story, 45,000 square-foot structure will offer modern classrooms, innovative technology, simulation centers, a new community dental hygiene clinic and more.

The outside of the new health sciences building.

Health sciences students walking down the hallway.

Health sciences students working with a back support tool.

A Health sciences student smiling and working on a fake baby model.

A dental hygienist working on a patient.

A dental hygienist working on an open mouth.

A dental hygienist cleaning her tools in the sink.

Health science students in a classroom at the table.

Health sciences students working in lab.

A Health sciences student working on her laptop.

Health sciences students on their laptops smiling.

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Serving the State and Our Students

The School of Health Sciences leads a variety of programs and services to improve health outcomes, share knowledge and support the next generation of health care leaders.

Explore our special programs and public service initiatives.

Leadership & Staff

The faculty and staff in the School of Health Sciences are dedicated to building exceptional, compassionate professionals who make health and wellness possible.

Haifa Samra

Dean-School of Health Science

Ranelle Nissen

Assoc Dean, Health Sciences/Associate Professor

Kory Zimney

Assoc Dean, Health Sciences/Associate Professor

Bridget Diamond-Welch

Associate Professor-Research

Michelle Mashlan

Dir of Finance-Health Affairs

Ashley Kroon

HR Generalist III

Jeremy Aylward

Coordinator of Business Operations

Johanna Gregoire

Program Assistant I

Brock Rops

Assist Dir-AHEC Clinical & Ed

Kim Lee

Communications Coordinator

Michele Seaton-Bertsch

Asst Advisor, Recruiter

Erin Ames

Program Assistant I

Our Philosophy

DEPARTMENTS & Facilties

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education at the School of Health Sciences.

Center for Health Education

A state-of-the-art, 45,000 square foot building attached via a link to Lee Medical that provides the person-centered training you need to thrive.

Five children holding balloons running in a field.

Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment

The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment focuses on delivering education, outreach and research geared toward eliminating child sexual abuse and maltreatment in South Dakota.

A dental hygiene student in a room with a faculty member.

Delta Dental Oral Health Center

The Delta Dental Oral Health Center is a new community dental hygiene clinic at USD, named in honor of a $1 million gift from the Delta Dental of South Dakota Foundation. Services are open to the public.

Exterior of Lee Medical Building during the day.

Interprofessional Health Education Center

Learn to become an interprofessional team in real-world settings.

Nursing Center for Simulation and Interprofessional Development

Cultivate informed decision-making skills and foster collaboration among health care professionals in a facility that leverages advanced technology using immersive simulations.

Parry Center

The Parry Center for Clinical Skills & Simulation is a state-of-the-art learning environment that allows collaboration among students and safely simulates real-patient experiences.

A photo of the medical school. The sky is cloudy.

School of Health Sciences' Office of Research & Innovation

Our office strives to support the School of Health Sciences in their mission to recognize expertise, innovation, research, and scholarship. We offer trainings, grant assistance and research collaboration.

Dental Hygiene Student Cleaning a Patient's Teeth

Sioux Falls Dental Clinic

Our dental hygiene clinic in Sioux Falls is open to the public. Students learn under the close supervision of licensed dentists and licensed hygienists. Our services are offered at reduced rates; however, appointments generally take more time than traditional dental offices.

The exterior of the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

Teaching and Research Laboratory

Located in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center on USD's campus in Vermillion, the Teaching and Research Laboratory is a centralized location for occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiology and sport management, and sports medicine programs. There are collaborative spaces for the various programs, as well as state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and clinical spaces that facilitate hands-on learning.

Support the School of Health Sciences

The USD School of Health Sciences is developing tomorrow's health care professionals and leaders. Your support enables us to provide students with the resources, facilities and experiences they need to focus on their education and follow their calling to help others.

Make a Gift

The South Dakotan Health

Our digital publication, The South Dakotan Health, features the latest stories about our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends and the meaningful contributions they provide to their communities.

Read News & Stories