�ձ�av��Ƶ

�ձ�av��Ƶ will begin a four-year program to improve perinatal health outcomes through the implementation of Alliance for Innovation and Maternal Health patient safety bundles at hospitals and birthing centers across South Dakota.

The START-SD team from �ձ�av��Ƶ hosted a first responder summit Aug. 25 in Chamberlain. The free event, “First Responder Summit: Addiction and Mental Health in South Dakota,” was an opportunity for health care professionals and first responders to learn more about mental health as it relates to addiction and substance use disorder and the important role that first responders play.

�ձ�av��Ƶ’s program to address substance use disorder in South Dakota has received additional funding to combat substance use overdose. A new award of $300,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration will result in a one-year program titled START-SD.

Members from a pharmacy student organization at �ձ�av��Ƶ provided free health screenings at the 2023 South Dakota State Fair.

A group of 37 �ձ�av��Ƶ nursing students promoted healthy summer habits by holding a health fair at the Great Plains Zoo on June 16. The event, which offered the zoo’s youngest visitors lessons in water safety, sun protection and physical activity, served as pediatric clinical experience for the �ձ�av��Ƶ students.

Deirdre Cross is a Human Biology major at �ձ�av��Ƶ, also pursuing minors in Chemistry and Health Education. She is on a Pre-Physician’s Assistant track, with plans to become a PA after graduation. In addition to pursuing her major, two minors, and being an Honors student, Cross has also earned a Phlebotomy Certificate.

Brandon Varilek, assistant professor in �ձ�av��Ƶ’s College of Nursing, has received a grant to study palliative care use, kidney transplant rates, and explore survival statistics among American Indians with end-stage renal disease caused by diabetes.

Several faculty from the Department of Allied and Population Health have published manuscripts in the Fall 2022 semester. Dr. Chris Robbins co-authored a manuscript related to postoperative pancreatic fistula following traumatic splenectomy, and a team from the Community Practice Innovation Center (CPIC) have published a manuscript on harm reduction strategies implemented through the START-SD project.

�ձ�av��Ƶ’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions’ 3D Center now has a new namesake—the Haarberg Center for Drug, Disease and Delivery Research, thanks to a transformational $1.1 million gift from Kevin and Lorie Haarberg.

Each fall—prior to the start of preseason training camp—members of the �ձ�av��Ƶ football team make the trek to Wagner Hall to gather key information about the current makeup of their bodies. Led by Seth Daughters, an instructor in the exercise science program, student-athletes will get parameters on their body fat percentage, lean muscle and fat free mass. This information will help guide the student-athletes in their individualized strength and conditioning plans throughout the season.