30-01-2025
Rural medicine in Chamberlain shaped by the FARM program
Jan. 30—CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. — On her last day at Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center, Emily Kirschenmann walked through the hospital doors, just as she had hundreds of times during the past 11 months. But this time, something was different. As she stepped out into the crisp air, the weight of the experience hit her all at once. The small town she'd come to call home, the patients who had trusted her with their care and the doctors who had mentored her through it all were now part of her story. And it was hard to say goodbye.
"I've walked through those doors so many times, but today it felt different," she said. "I've built relationships with my patients, with the staff, with the community. It's hard to walk away from something that's meant so much to me."
Kirschenmann's experience in Chamberlain was part of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine's Frontier And Rural Medicine (FARM) program. Launched in 2014, Launched in 2014, the program immerses medical students like Kirschenmann in rural healthcare environments, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in family medicine and primary care in underserved areas. The goal is to address the shortage of doctors in rural communities by fostering long-term careers in rural healthcare.
Chamberlain, which joined the FARM network in 2024, offers a distinctive setting for students like Kirschenmann to grow. Located along the Missouri River, it provides students with not only clinical training but also a chance to engage with the community on a deeper level. The town's size and diversity make it an ideal site for the program.
"Sanford Chamberlain's facilities and physicians make the location a good addition to the program," said Janet Fulk, assistant director of the FARM program. "Our FARM students will benefit from the proximity to the interstate and diverse patient population, along with accessibility to a wide variety of clinical experiences."
For Kirschenmann, who grew up in Dell Rapids, joining the FARM program felt like a natural fit. She was exposed to the program long before medical school. At 18, she had the chance to observe the program firsthand through her aunt, Dr. Anora Henderson, who administered the FARM site in Winner. Kirschenmann had the opportunity to job shadow her aunt and see how a FARM student interacted with patients. Her cousin, Katie Dorn, also participated in the program in Spearfish.
"Watching my aunt work with a FARM student really showed me the kind of relationship I want to have with my attending physician," she said. "It's not just about teaching; it's about mentorship and truly caring for your students, helping them grow as both doctors and people."
Her training in Chamberlain was far from typical. Over the course of the year, Kirschenmann followed patients through every stage of their care, from clinic visits to hospital stays, witnessing struggles and triumphs.
"It's the little moments that stick with you," she said. "Like when a patient thanked me for being there during their procedure. It wasn't about doing something big — it was just being part of their journey."
In addition to clinical work, students in the FARM program are required to engage with the community. Kirschenmann took part in local outreach efforts, including speaking at the Freshman Impact event, where she educated high school students about the dangers of nicotine use.
The FARM program continues to expand, now with seven locations statewide, including Milbank, Mobridge, Parkston, Pierre, Spearfish, and Vermillion. In 2024, 13 students participated in the program. The addition of Chamberlain reflects the program's growth and success in training doctors for rural communities.
"This program is making a real difference," said Tim Ridgway, Dean of the Sanford School of Medicine. "In the 10 years since we've had students complete the program, 75% have gone into primary care specialties. That's huge. By every metric, FARM is killing it."
Ridgway also noted an exciting development in the program's evolution: prior FARM students are now returning to the same rural sites where they trained to become full-time employees after completing medical school.
While Chamberlain's addition to the FARM network has been a success, the program faced a challenge with the loss of Winner, a site that had been part of the initiative from the beginning. The closure of Winner's OB department made it no longer viable for FARM students. However, the program's broader impact remains strong.
"Living in a rural town and practicing medicine here really opened my eyes to the challenges patients face, especially when they need specialized care," Kirschenmann said. "Sometimes, a two-hour drive is needed to see a specialist, and that can be tough for patients."
Kirschenmann's year in Chamberlain shaped her broader perspective on medicine.
"Being part of the FARM program has given me a holistic way to practice," Kirschenmann said. "I've seen my patients in the community, in the clinic, and in the hospital. It's made me a better doctor and a better person."
As she prepares to return to Sioux Falls for her remaining medical training and apply for residency, she carries with her the lessons of rural medicine — a deeper understanding of its challenges and rewards, and a stronger commitment to family medicine.
"As I prepare to take the next step in my medical career, I carry with me the lessons I've learned here — how to navigate the complexities of rural healthcare, and how deeply rewarding it is to build lasting relationships with patients and the community," Kirschenmann said. "Chamberlain has shown me what it truly means to be part of a community, and I hope to return someday."
