RAPID CITY, S.D. (Feb. 19, 2021) — Dr. Jacob Weasel has been named Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.
Dr. Weasel, a general surgeon with Monument Health, has worked with USD as a clinical instructor, as well as helping facilitate medical students in their transition from classroom to clinical experience.
Dr. Weasel is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He grew up in Albuquerque, NM, and Omaha, NE. He earned his M.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed a General Surgery residency at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. He joined Monument Health in 2018. Dr. Weasel recently joined the Monument Health Rapid City Hospital Board of Directors and will continue his roles at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital.
In his new role as Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Weasel hopes to encourage young Native American students to pursue careers in health care related fields. “I will hopefully also be able to serve as a mentor to young high school, undergraduate, and medical students pursuing careers in medicine,” he said. “Additionally I hope to help in facilitating exposure of our students in the School of Medicine to a basic understanding and respect of other healing traditions as well as exposure to underserved communities in South Dakota through partnering with Oyate Health Center and Indian Health Service.”
Tim Ridgway, M.D., FACP, FASGE, Dean of the USD Sanford School of Medicine said, “We are very excited to have Dr. Weasel as a part of our team. He clearly lives his values, and will be a fantastic role model for prospective and current students at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.”
Dr. Weasel’s passion for developing and improving relationships across the state, as well as his dedication to investing in the community make this role an excellent fit for both his professional and personal goals. He feels that this position complements his role as a general surgeon at Monument Health.
“I am honored and excited to accept this new role as Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion with the South Dakota School of Medicine,” he said. “I feel privileged to serve our community and state in helping shape the future of medicine through medical education, and I hope to inspire and encourage future generations to pursue their dreams in service to others.”
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About Monument Health
Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 33 medical specialties and serves 20 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 4,500 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is comprised of 5 hospitals, 8 specialty and surgical centers and more than 40 medical clinics and health care service centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
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