January/ February 1998

Spotlight on Members Loren Amundson, M.D., Chosen for SD Hall of Fame

On September 27, 1997 Loren Amundson, MD was inducted into the SD Hall of Fame at the 20th Annual Honors Luncheon and Banquet in Huron, SD. This distinct honor only underlines what South Dakota Academy members have known for a long time. Loren is a dedicated professional who has not only contributed immeasurable value to our Chapter but to his native state as well.

We all know Loren served as our Secretary-Treasurer and Chapter Executive for over 20 years and as such was the "glue" that held this organization together. More than that, however, Loren was so active on the national level that our small chapter received the benefit of his knowledge and influence. Many of our members became active on the national level because of Loren.

Even a brief review of Dr. Amundson’s CV is mind-boggling. The age old question comes to mind: "Where does he get the time?" For one thing Loren is totally dedicated to the task at hand and happens to be one of the most organized people on the face of the earth. We can all take a lesson from that. In addition, Loren has been blessed with the total support and help of his equally dedicated wife, Mavis. Where would our chapter have been all those years without Mavis doing the meetings?

Loren’s extensive CV is summarized in the words of the citation received at his induction into the Hall of Fame:

"Dr. Amundson was the founding chairman (1974-79) and is professor emeritus of family medicine, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls. He served as acting co-chair of the department 1994-96. Dr. Amundson received his MD degree in 1956 from the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison.

Dr. Amundson is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and was a founding member of the AAFP Home Study Self Assessment Program, now in its 17th year of publication. He also served on AAFP Commissions on Continuing Medical Education, and Education, serving as AAFP Video CME editor 1986-93. He is certified by the American Board of Family Practice and served on its board of directors 1983-88. Dr. Amundson is a past member and chairman of the Residency Review Committee for Family Practice 1986-92 and now serves that committee as a specialist site visitor. He is a member of the ACGME Transitional Year Review Committee 1992-98 and currently serves as Chair. Dr. Amundson served as a member of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) National Advisory Council 1991-94 and on the Skin Phototrauma Foundation Advisory Board 1990-95. He also served as initial director of the South dakota Office of Rural Health 1990-95.

Dr. Amundson received the AAFP Thomas W. Johnson Award in 1990 as outstanding national family physician educator. He is the author or co-author of several book chapters and over 40 published papers. His areas of medical interest include rural health, dermatology, patient compliance, the family physician as consult, family practice residency Rural Training Tracks (RTT) and Community Health Center (CHC) educational linkages, and the role and future of family practice. Dr. Amundson was a member of the Editorial Advisory Committees for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader for 1997."

We salute Dr. Amundson (also former editor of this modest publication) and thank him and his wife, Mavis, for all they have done for the South Dakota Academy and its individual members.