South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA) Member Spotlight: Ben Meyerink, MD

Ben Meyerink, MD

Name: Ben Meyerink, MD

Specialty: Family Medicine

SDSMA leadership position: President

Practice location: Avera Medical Group Family Medicine 69th & Cliff, Sioux Falls

Faculty position: Director of Career Advising and Student Success, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

Member since: 2014 — Student Member; 2021 — Actively Practicing Physician Member

Why I chose my specialty: Primarily, I was inspired by my hometown doctor, Jerome Bentz, MD, growing up to pursue primary care. What drove me to stay on that path was seeing the longitudinal relationships with patients family physicians develop and the tremendous impact that primary care can have not only on individual preventative health but medicine and communities as a whole. 

Why I'm a member of SDSMA: My involvement began very early in medical school and I was quickly surrounded by excellent mentors who have guided me to where I am now. While politics and political advocacy can be frustrating, the SDSMA is the best voice for physicians in our state to work with our legislature and other entities to advocate for the patients of South Dakota and improve healthcare and the practice of medicine.