Sanford Medical Education and USD Sanford School of Medicine Unveil Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Sanford Medical Education, together with the USD Sanford School of Medicine, recently received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to launch a new emergency medicine (EM) residency program. 

The accreditation, a combined effort between Sanford USD Medical Center, Sanford Medical Education and USD Sanford School of Medicine, creates the first emergency medicine residency program in South Dakota as well as a broader region encompassing North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. 

“As the only Level 1 trauma center in the region, Sanford is uniquely positioned to train the next generation of emergency medicine physicians,” said Abigail Polzin, M.D., emergency medicine physician and director of the residency program. “By training these physicians right here in South Dakota, we hope it inspires them to deliver emergency medicine care to some of our rural communities and stay in the region after residency. However, the expertise they learn will also be extremely valuable in high-volume hospitals in metro areas as well.”

Joining Dr. Polzin in leading the residency are Kenji Hamanaka, M.D, associate program director and Juliet Koppenhaver, program administrator. Dr. Hamanaka brings a passion for simulation, VR learning and critical care, while Ms. Koppenhaver is a detail-oriented and highly dedicated coordinator eager to support residents throughout their training journey.

Residents will complete 25 months of core EM training, including time at Sanford's new 12-bed pediatric Emergency Department, opening in 2026, as well as rotations in ICU, obstetrics, surgery and other specialties. Rural training experiences in Aberdeen and opportunities for electives, including international rotations, will further enrich their education. The program also includes unique hands-on opportunities through Sanford's high-fidelity simulation, telemedicine training and AirMed transport.

The inaugural class of residents in this three-year program will begin training in July 2026. Six residents will be accepted annually, reaching a full cohort of 18 residents.

For more information about the EM program, visit usdgme.org/emergency-medicine/