USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Steve Young

Degree: MS in Physical Therapy

Current Position: President of Sanford Sports

For nearly as long as he can remember, Steve Young wanted to be a physical therapist. An aptitude test in 8th grade confirmed it, and he headed to the University of South Dakota. His hope was that an undergraduate degree from USD would improve his chances of being accepted into what was then a two-year Master's program in physical therapy at the USD School of Health Sciences. 

"I am a South Dakota guy from Custer," says Young. "I was grateful to find an in-state PT program at USD and I knew that was where I wanted to further my education."

The plan worked. Now Young, who has worked in both private practice and in Sanford's large integrated health system, says his USD education prepared him for so much more than just physical therapy practice. 

"USD trained us in physical therapy to become kind of a jack-of-all trades in rural South Dakota where our patients may or may not have access to other professional help," says Young. "We were very well-versed in all aspects of healthcare and the broad nature of the program gave everyone the opportunity to choose exactly where they wanted to take their PT careers."

As a result, Young says every one of his colleagues in the Master's program at USD chose a different path within the physical therapy profession. 

"USD prepared me to work as part of an integrated healthcare team," says Young, who says he is passionate about leading teams. "We learned that our work as physical therapists is not only an opportunity but also a privilege and a responsibility. And that is a gift to my patients."

Young has been a clinical instructor in the PT department at USD and sits on the board of the Alumni Association.

Congratulations to this USD School of Health Sciences success story!