General Surgery Opportunity

Milbank, South Dakota

Milbank, the birthplace of Legion Baseball, is located in the Northeast corner of South Dakota, has the appeal of hometown charm in a safe and friendly environment.  South Dakota has one of the LOWEST Malpractice Insurance Costs in the Nation and has NO STATE INCOME TAX! 

AVERA MILBANK MEDICAL CENTER

Avera Milbank Medical Center is seeking a BC/BE General Surgeon.  The existing group consists of four Family Medicine Physicians, one General Surgeon, one Nurse Practitioner and two Physician Assistant.  There are satellite clinics in Wilmot, Waubay, and Big Stone City.  Kevin Bjordahl, MD, is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and has practiced in Milbank for 11 years.  Kanya “Dr. Kay” Vandadurongvan, MD, is a graduate of the Mahidol University in Thailand and has practiced in Milbank for 22 years.  Vichit “Dr. Van” Vanadurongvan, MD, is a graduate of the Mahidol University in Thailand and has practiced in Milbank for 22 years.  Peter Reynen, MD, is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and has practiced in Milbank for 9 years.  Crispin Webb, MD, is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and has practiced in Milbank for 4 years.  Dr. Kay and Dr. Van will be retiring in a few years.  Call would be 1:4.  Avera Milbank Medical Center serves the community of Milbank, with a total market reach of 12,000.  Dr Van is a General Surgeon.  The Physician will be an employee of Avera McKennan.  In addition to a competitive base salary with production incentives and excellent retirement and vacation benefits, loan repayment assistance is available.  The hospital website is:  www.milbankdocs.org

MILBANK AREA HOSPITAL/AVERA HEALTH

Milbank Area Hospital/Avera Health is a 25 bed critical access facility providing both inpatient and outpatient services.  Outpatient services include home health, Hospice, DEXA, mammography, physical and occupational rehabilitation, urgent care center, wound management services, smoking cessation program and women’s health center, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, chemotherapy, and a sleep lab.  Inpatient services include laboratory, hospice, imaging services (8 slice CT scanner and ultrasound), general medical surgical care (1 OR suite), skilled nursing care, emergency room services and a variety of other services.  OB Services and a nursery are also provided with an average of 50 births a year.  Numerous specialists provide outreach clinics in Milbank such as Oncology, Orthopedics, Urology, OB/GYN, Cardiology, Podiatry, Audiology, and Ophthalmology.    The Hospital has CRNA services provided 24 hours a day under a contract with a local CRNA group.  The local medical staff provides ER services with additional coverage being provided by a local ER Staffing Agency.  The facility also has a Radiologist on site two days a week and connects 24 hours a day via teleradiology on days when the Radiologist is not in the facility.

The Hospital was purchased by the community and leased to Avera McKennan in 2002.  With the exception of a $935,000 HRSA grant, all of the $4,000,000 necessary to purchase the Hospital was raised in the community.  The Hospital enjoys extremely strong community support of the facility and is seen as a community asset.  The relationship between the Hospital, the Avera Milbank Medical Center, Avera McKennan, and the Northeastern South Dakota Healthcare Foundation (the community entity that owns the assets of the Hospital) is very strong. 

COMMUNITY

Milbank has a population of 4,500.  The new Milbank Visitors Center at the Chamber of Commerce showcases area businesses and economic development projects.  Annual events include the Train and Arts Festival, Farmer’s Appreciation Night, Farm and Home Show, July 4^th Celebrations and Shape Up Milbank.  Milbank is located in the northeast part of South Dakota, just 45 miles from Watertown, SD and 115 miles from Sioux Falls, SD.  Minneapolis, MN is less than 4 hours.  Check out the community website at:  www.milbanksd.com   

EDUCATION

Milbank has excellent schools.  Pre-K through fifth grade, offered by both the public and private sector.  Milbank Middle School and Milbank High School enroll 260 students, 360 students respectively.  The graduation class size averages 90 students.  The student to teacher ratio is 14:1.The Grant County Public Library is open to all citizens of Milbank and the surrounding communities.  The education website is:  www.milbank.k12.sd.us   

RECREATION

Milbank offers a variety of recreational activities including snowmobile trails, golf, softball, baseball and basketball leagues and youth sports.  World class waterfowl and pheasant hunting are also available.  Big Stone Lake is located nearby and offers Hartford Beach State Park, beaches, waters sports, swimming, boating, fishing and resort or camping opportunities.

For more information contact:  Kelly Cavanaugh, Physician Recruiter, at 605-274-0225 or email kelly.cavanaugh@avera.org.