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Nicole Sears, MD

Nicole Sears, MD

Born and raised in Rapid City, Dr. Sears graduated with a bachelor of science from the University of Notre Dame and then went to the University of South Dakota’s Sanford School of Medicine. She completed residency training at the Rapid City Regional Health Family Medicine Residency program. She has practiced family medicine in Rapid City for over thirteen years.

Dr. Sears has been married for over 16 years and has four children who keep her very busy. She enjoys watching them play and participate in the activities they love.  When she’s not following her children’s activities, she likes to spend time at her cabin in the Black Hills.

What she loves about Urgent Care is the fast paced opportunity to care for patients of all ages. 

Dr. Sears’s individual practice philosophy is that health is not a number or a statistic that needs to be achieved. It is individual to each patient. The first step to achieving a healthier lifestyle is a commitment to work on all aspects of ourselves.  She strives to partner with her patients to help them set new health goals and works with them to achieve them.

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Michael Rafferty, MD

Michael Rafferty, MD

Dr. Rafferty was raised in Sturgis, South Dakota, and attended medical school at the University of South Dakota. He completed residency training at the Regional Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program.

He has been in urgent care since 2009 and enjoys the fast pace and variety of conditions that patients bring to the urgent care environment. Outside of work, he enjoys any type of outdoor activity, including rock climbing, skiing, mountain biking and fly fishing.

Married for over thirty years, Dr. Rafferty’s wife Mary bravely fought cancer and left behind a legacy of five children and three grandchildren.

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Kimberly Hushagen, MD

Kimberly Hushagen, MD

Dr. Kimberly Hushagen is a board-certified pediatrician, born and raised in small town North Dakota. She completed medical school at the University of North Dakota and went on to complete her pediatrics residency at Penn State in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The large academic center provided a wide breadth of knowledge in acute and complex pediatrics. She returned back to the Midwest with her husband (also a physician at RCMC) and their young son to make South Dakota their forever home. They are expanding their family in fall 2023 with a second baby boy.

Dr. Hushagen’s favorite part of pediatrics is watching her patients and their families grow and learn. She has a special interest in first time parents and breastfeeding support, being a mom herself. She strives to connect with patients at every age, especially teenagers, to start lifelong health goals and improve mental health.

When not at work, you may see Dr. Hushagen and her family at Rapid City Rush hockey games, working on their hobby farm, or spending time with friends and family playing games of all varieties.

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Heather Moline, MD

Heather Moline, MD

Dr. Moline was born and raised in Rapid City. After graduating from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, she completed her medical school training at the University of South Dakota-Sanford School of Medicine. Dr. Moline moved back to Rapid City in 2018 after completing her residency training at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and started at Rapid City Medical in 2019.

Dr. Moline enjoys all aspects of Ob/Gyn including infertility, incontinence, low and high-risk obstetrics, well-woman and adolescent gynecology, as well as minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and transgender care.

She spends her free time with her husband and their two kids enjoying all that the beautiful Black Hills have to offer! Her hobbies include gardening, canning/preserving food, beekeeping, skiing, brewing kombucha, and hunting with their German Wirehaired Pointers, Greta & Piper.

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Molly Gilbert, MD

Molly Gilbert, MD

Dr. Gilbert was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After completion of her
undergraduate degree at Colorado State University, she returned home for medical school at
the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. She went on to complete her
residency training at the University of Arizona – Phoenix. Prior to joining Rapid City Medical
Center, she practiced in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is excited to serve the community back in her
home state of South Dakota.
Dr. Gilbert is passionate about providing comprehensive women’s healthcare. She particularly
enjoys the lifelong bond formed when caring for women at all stages of life.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Black Hills with her husband and two daughters.

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Katherine Degen, MD

Katherine Degen, MD

Dr. Degen grew up in beautiful Spearfish, South Dakota. She completed both college and medical school at The University of South Dakota. After medical school, she ventured away to residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Once she completed residency, she was grateful to come home to the Black Hills!

Dr. Degen enjoys a broad spectrum of women’s health. She enjoys caring for women from their first period, through childbearing, and into menopause. She feels that the depth of the relationships she forms with her patients is a huge privilege.

While she practices a full-spectrum of obstetrics and gynecology, she has a special interest in pelvic floor dysfunction; problems such as incontinence, prolapse, and pain. She utilizes minimally invasive methods to help patients live a happier, healthier life.

In her off time, she enjoys all that the Hills have to offer! She loves to hike with her family and their dog, try new restaurants, and simply sit on the back porch with a cup of coffee! She is truly grateful for such a wonderful place to live!

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Shana Bernhard, MD

Shana Bernhard, MD

After completing medical school and residency at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha NE, Dr Bernhard and her family came to Rapid City in 2005. She thoroughly enjoyed her full OBGYN practice and was privileged to deliver many babies. After 23 years of practicing obstetrics, she is excited to transition to a GYN only practice in the summer of 2024. She has special interests in preventative care and annual exams, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery to manage heavy bleeding, pelvic pain and prolapse, contraceptive management, infertility and gynecologic care for breast cancer survivors. She is excited to offer a full range of GYN services including PRP and Mona Lisa Touch for menopausal women and women struggling with lichen sclerosus.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling to beautiful places.

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Lyndsi Slusarski, PA-C

Lyndsi Slusarski, PA-C

Lyndsi has been a physician assistant in dermatology since 2006. She has a passion for treating patients of all ages with varying skin conditions from acne, to eczema, to psoriasis, skin cancers and everything in-between. Lyndsi has a special interest in hairloss disorders, especially children suffering from alopecia areata. 

Lyndsi and her husband Mitch have three children. Lyndsi’s roots are in Wyoming where she grew up on a ranch, which she tries to go back and visit whenever possible. Following PA school, Lyndsi went on a mission trip to Africa. When not in the office, Lyndsi and her family enjoy spending time in the beautiful Black Hills, traveling, coaching their childrens’ sports teams, and playing pickleball.

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(605) 721-3376

Schedule Appointment

2820 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
2nd Floor (Main Entrance)

44.05715085,-103.23122799191563

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Clinic

Map to this Location

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Joleen Singer, PA-C

Joleen Singer, PA-C

Joleen was born and raised in here in Rapid City. She attended University of South Dakota for both undergraduate and graduate training in Physician Assistant Studies, graduating in with her Masters in 2008. She has been working in Primary Care and Dermatology in Rapid City since then.
When she is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their 3 children in the Black Hills. She especially enjoys camping, skiing, and attending various sports and church activities with her family.

Since joining The Skin Institute in 2021, Joleen has been specializing in complete skin care for your general dermatology and cosmetic needs, including Botox, laser treatments, and lip filler. Whether you have a specific skin concern or are simply interested in improving your skin’s appearance, Joleen is committed to personally delivering exceptional care to her patients.

[brb_collection id=”1753″]

(605) 721-3376

Schedule Appointment

2820 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
2nd Floor (Main Entrance)

44.05715085,-103.23122799191563

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Clinic

Map to this Location

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Morgan Sauvage, PA-C

Morgan Sauvage, PA-C

Morgan has been fortunate to call Rapid City home for most of her life. After completing her Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, she ventured out to Minnesota where she received her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Bethel University in St. Paul. Following the completion of her degree she was eager to move home, alongside her husband, and plant her roots. Morgan is excited to join the dermatology team at Rapid City Medical Center and looks forward to providing compassionate and competent care to her patients. Morgan and her husband welcomed a baby boy in April 2023 and have enjoyed the fun that comes along with becoming new parents. While not working you can find Morgan enjoying the outdoors playing golf, downhill skiing, hunting, and fishing.

[brb_collection id=”1753″]

(605) 721-3376

Schedule Appointment

2820 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
2nd Floor (Main Entrance)

44.05715085,-103.23122799191563

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Clinic

Map to this Location

Continue reading

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