USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Tyler Hemmingson
By Alex Strauss
Degree: Master of Public Health
Current Position: Senior Director of Practice Advancement, American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Tyler Hemmingson was exposed to the health professions much earlier than a lot of people. He was born with a congenital heart condition that wasn't detected until he was 6 years old. Had there been a pediatric cardiologist in his hometown of Spearfish during that time, he might have had only one surgery, instead of the ten he ended up needing.
"Once I realized how different things were for me just because of where I grew up, I became intrigued by public health," says Hemmingson.
Originally bound for medical school, Hemmingson changed his mind after a health disparities class in his senior year of college. He worked first for Sanford Research and then at the USD Sanford School of Medicine's RISE UP program designed to introduce public health to minority students.
Hemmingson was still working full time when he enrolled in the USD School of Health Sciences Master of Public Health program, even though he wasn't yet sure exactly where the degree would take him.
"One thing that really impressed me about the program was the fact that I had a lot of direct access to the professors and great mentorship," says Hemmingson. "That encouraged me to engage deeply in absorbing as much as I could."
Hemmingson's career has been diverse. He worked for Sanford World Clinics and for Monument Health in organizational leadership development and lab management before accepting his current position with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
"I lead a department that supports health systems, payers, ACOs, community health centers, public health departments and others in integrating lifestyle medicine into clinical areas," says Hemmingson. "My MPH degree gave me a broad foundation - including data analysis skills, strategic planning, leadership, and a knowledge of how healthcare is delivered in different settings - that I use every day."