PROFESSIONAL | MEDICAL
ROD PARRY Sioux Falls, SD
Medical Education Trailblazer When Dr. Rodney Parry retired in 2012 from his position as Dean of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and Vice President of the university’s division of health affairs, many leading officials in the state’s health care community expressed their admiration and gratefulness for his steadfast and skillful service.
became an M.D. degree-granting program in 1974). Parry then completed his M.D. degree at the University of Wisconsin followed by a residency and fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 1976 Dr. Parry began a practice in pulmonology in Sioux Falls, and he immediately affiliated himself with USD’s medical school as an assistant professor.
Fred Slunecka, COO of Avera Health, lauded Dr. Parry’s contributions to health care. “Thanks to Dr. Parry’s leadership and vision,” said Slunecka, “South Dakota is producing medical school graduates who will serve the state for many years.” “Dr. Parry’s lasting impact in the region is his dedication to medical education,” explained Dave Link, former Senior Executive Vice President of Sanford Health. Charles Hart, M.D., former President and CEO of Regional Health in Rapid City, added this perspective: “Dr. Parry brought the medical school into the 21st century. He showed the state and the state legislature how important the medical school is to South Dakota.”
As a physician Dr. Parry distinguished himself for his skills, knowledge and compassion. One of South Dakota’s first pulmonologists, Dr. Parry’s work on cystic fibrosis inspired him to help launch and direct South Dakota’s Cystic Fibrosis Center. He also conceived innovative clinical programs such as South Dakota’s first pulmonary rehabilitation program and its first sleep laboratory, as well as new treatment options for patients. His research into respiratory diseases and the genetics of asthma aided patients and was published in leading journals.
Dr. Parry’s profound impact on improving health care in South Dakota spanned more than 40 years as a physician-practitioner, scientist, teacher and leader of medical organizations, including, most notably, the state’s only medical school. After earning a degree in pharmacy from South Dakota State University, Rodney Parry graduated in 1967 from the University of South Dakota’s two-year medical program (the program
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2018 HONORS CEREMONY
