The SDSMA presented awards to recipients at the Annual Awards & Scholarship Recognition dinner on May 30, 2025.

• The SDSMA’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes a physician or lay person who has been of outstanding service to the medical profession in South Dakota. This year the Distinguished Service Award recipient is William Fuller, MD of Sioux Falls.

• The Outstanding Young Physician Award was presented to Matthew Schaffer, DO of Mobridge. This award is given to a young physician under 40 or within the first eight years of professional practice after residency and fellowship training. This physician is recognized for outstanding achievements, dedication and service to the community and the SDSMA at the local, state, or national levels.

• The SDSMA’s Community Service Award is presented each year to a physician who separates himself or herself through outstanding work in the area of community affairs. This year the award was given to Jacob Quail, MD of Vermillion.

• Sheila Agee of Sioux Falls is the recipient of the SDSMA’s Richard P. Holm, MD Media Award. The award is in recognition of her contributions to the Humanities supplement of the SDSMA’s medical journal, South Dakota Medicine.

• The Young at Heart Award is presented to a physician who has inspired young physicians as a mentor, role model and leader. This year’s recipient is Roy Mortinsen, MD of Vermillion.

• Denise Hanisch, MD of Centerville is the recipient of the SDSMA’s Past President’s Award. This award is presented each year to the immediate past president of the SDSMA in recognition of their many years of work and dedication to the SDSMA.

• Barbara Smith, SDSMA CEO who will be retiring this fall, is the recipient of the Special Presidential Award. This award is chosen by the SDSMA president to recognize the recipient’s contributions to the medical profession.

• Eight physicians were recognized with the SDSMA’s 50-Year Award for medical practice in South Dakota. Physicians who received this award were: William Fuller, MD of Sioux Falls; William Howard, MD of Rapid City; Rif’at Hussain, MD of Sioux Falls; Dennis Knutson, MD of Sioux Falls; Norman Neu, MD of Rapid City; Ken Vogele, MD of Rapid City; H. Bruce Vogt, MD of Sioux Falls; and Larry Wehrkamp, MD of Rapid City. These physicians have been practicing medicine for a half-century and have contributed greatly to the medical profession.

American Medical Association Distinguished Service Award

• The American Medical Association Distinguished Service Award, a national honor, was presented to Mary Carpenter, MD, of Winner. The award recognizes a physician member of the AMA for meritorious service in the science and art of medicine. AMA Board of Trustees President-Elect David Aizuss, MD, presented the award to Dr. Carpenter.

Copic Humanitarian Award

• The Copic Humanitarian Award honors a physician for volunteer medical services and contributions to their community. Margaret Becker, MD of Spearfish, medical director of Good Shephard Clinic, is the recipient of this year’s award. The award recognizes individuals who unassumingly volunteer outside the spectrum of their day-to-day lives. The recipient of the award designates a $10,000 donation from Copic to be provided to a health care-related 501(c)(3) organization in South Dakota. Good Shephard Clinic is the donation recipient.