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Jordan Needens, MD

Written by Natalie Slack on . Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

Jordan Needens, MD

Dr. Needens was born in Fort Collins, CO. She attended South Dakota Mines for undergrad, where she played basketball! She fell in love with Rapid City, and stayed in South Dakota to attend medical school at University of South Dakota – Sanford School of Medicine. She completed residency training at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia in 2023. Go Herd! She completed a one year fellowship at the University of Colorado in 2024.

She is so excited to be returning to Rapid City for the start of her career as an OBGYN. She did not think that she would end up in this specialty at the start of medical school, but thinks it is amazing to get to be a surgeon, work in clinic, and be there for some of the most exciting times in her patients’ lives. She is interested in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, and optimizing women’s care in pregnancy and delivery.

She spends her free time with her family on the ranch east of town, and her three fur babies. Her hobbies include sports, hiking, golfing, skiing. She cannot wait to be back and able to explore the beautiful Black Hills!

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Elizabeth Farnsworth, MD, PhD

Written by Natalie Slack on . Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

Elizabeth Farnsworth, MD, PhD

Dr. Elizabeth Farnsworth relocated to Rapid City two years ago and has been delighted to engage with families in the Black Hills area. Her passion lies in supporting children and their families as they navigate life’s journey, from infancy through adolescence and beyond.
Dr. Farnsworth emphasizes the importance of involving families in their children’s care, ensuring that both the patient and the family comprehend and support the treatment and care received. She is dedicated to patient education and maintains a strong interest in the latest scientific developments in pediatrics due to her research background. Her practice covers a wide range of pediatric care, including wellness check-ups, acute care, mental health, asthma, sports physicals, and assisting foster families.
Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Farnsworth cherishes spending quality time with her husband and children, caring for their new puppy, reading, immersing herself in nature, discovering new places, and encouraging her children in their academic and athletic pursuits.

Education

  • Pediatrics Residency June 1 2016- June 30 2019
    The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Doctor of Medicine September 2012- June 2016
    University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX
  • Postdoctoral Scientific Research Fellow January 2008- November 2011
    MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
  • Cancer Scientific Research Fellow June 2007- December 2007
    National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
  • PhD, Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis September 2002-June 2007 – Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • Bachelor of Science, Microbiology. 1999-2002
    Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. Minors: Chemistry, French

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Rocío Díaz, MD

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Physicians, Tower Road.

*Hablo Español*

Rocío Díaz, MD

Rocio Diaz, M.D.

Dr. Rocio Diaz is a fellowship-trained retina specialist, specializing in medical and surgical retina, as well as a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Diaz is fluent in English and Spanish. She was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, where she obtained her medical degree, becoming the first physician in her family.

Following her work as a research fellow, Dr. Diaz completed her Ophthalmology residency at the Hamilton Eye Institute, in Memphis, TN. She then moved to Omaha, NE to train as a retina fellow at the Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center. After completing her fellowship, she moved to Medford, OR and worked for three years at the prestigious Retina Care Center, a well-known referral center for southern Oregon and northern California.
While Dr. Diaz practices a full spectrum of retinal conditions, her interests include diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, vitreous floaters, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, retinal tears and retinal detachments.

Dr. Diaz moved to Rapid City during the summer of 2023 to join her family. Her husband, Dr. Colin Brown, is a LASIK, cataract and cornea specialist at Wright Vision Center. They are blessed with a beautiful baby girl, and they enjoy their free time exploring the Black Hills, and spending time with their family and friends. Dr. Diaz loves stand-up comedy, cooking, and she is an amateur gardener and bird watcher.

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Skye Lawlor, MD

Written by Natalie Slack on . Posted in Physicians, WRENT.

Skye Lawlor, MD

Dr. Lawlor completed his medical training at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine where he met his wife, Kristin.  He went on to complete his residency training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

He practices comprehensive otolaryngology and has interests in adult sinus disease, ear disease, head and neck cancer and treatment of sleep apnea. He grew up in Rapid City and is excited to return home to provide care to the Black Hills community.

In his free time Dr. Lawlor enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing, and surfing.  He and his wife also have a love of roller coasters and visiting theme parks.

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Dallin Christensen, MD

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Physicians, WRENT. 109 Comments on Dallin Christensen, MD

Dallin Christensen, MD

Dr. Christensen obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arizona and completed his surgical training in Otolaryngology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He enjoys all areas of ear, nose, and throat surgery, and has particular interests in pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck cancer, sinus problems, ear disease, and hearing loss. He is passionate about working with patients to find the best solution to their specific situation and is thrilled to be practicing in Rapid City.

Dr. Christensen is married and has four kids. Outside of the office, he enjoys fly fishing, college football, board games, and exploring the Black Hills with his wife and kids.

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Nicole Sears, MD

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

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

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Mt. Rushmore RD, Physicians.

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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Jennifer May, MD

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Physicians, Tower Road.

Jennifer May, MD

Dr. Jennifer May grew up in Rapid City, where she graduated from Stevens High School and completed undergraduate education at Augustana University. She received MD at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and finished training with a Fellowship in Rheumatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. In 2005, Dr. May moved back to Rapid City, bringing her husband, an Emergency Medical Provider, along. She was appointed to serve on the State Medical Board by Governor Daugaard and served one term. Her three daughters are active in tennis and the Suzuki program. Musical dedication and talent is shared by the family, as Dr. May plays viola in the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra and French horn in the Municipal Band.

Dr. May has been featured on the On Call television program and is a Board Member for the Healing Words Foundation as well as the South Dakota State Medical Foundation. Whether you’re local to Rapid City or from the extended area, Dr. May cares about ensuring your wellness and looks to be an integral part of your comprehensive care. Her areas of practice and interest extend from Rheumatoid Arthritis, to Lupus, to Osteoporosis, Gout, and Osteoarthritis.

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Jennifer Ryder, DPM

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Physicians, South Clinic.

Jennifer Ryder, DPM

As a podiatrist practicing in Rapid City, Dr. Ryder treats a variety of ailments that affect the feet. She focuses on primary podiatric medicine and forefoot surgery.

She received her undergraduate degree from Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia and her podiatric medical degree from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Her residencies were completed at Brea Community Hospital and White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Dr. Ryder is originally from Ohio and came to the Black Hills in 2001 when her husband, then an Air Force attorney, was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. They grew to love the friendly community and natural beauty and decided to settle here in 2004 and build her podiatry practice. 

When she is not in the clinic you can find her snow skiing or bike riding with her husband and five children. She loves to travel with her family and enjoys Peloton cycling and yoga.

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