Join Matt to explore the exciting, and sometimes bizarre, history of medicine in Western South Dakota.
This presentation will introduce the colorful history of medicine in Western South Dakota. Times range from the Native American tradition to the beginning of the modern era in the early 20th century. Stories include the Lewis and Clark expedition, outpost medicine, Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy, pioneer medicine, Dr. Charles Eastman, the gold rush, patent medicines, and more.
About Matt:
Dr. Matthew Simmons grew up in Southwestern Minnesota near the site of the Dakota Uprising and Dakota War of 1862. His parents nurtured an appreciation for history as part of a broad-based education. Dr. Simmons completed his medical degree at Creighton University in Omaha, NE and a neurology residency at the University of Minnesota.
After a tour in the Air Force, Dr. Simmons and his family settled in Rapid City where he spent the remainder of his medical career. While in Rapid City, Dr. Simmons pursued an academic career with the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine eventually becoming the Rapid City Campus Dean. His teaching activities entail providing humanities experiences for medical students, including an immersion into the history of medicine in Western SD in collaboration with the Journey Museum.