Since its inception, SDSU’s anatomy lab has served as a hub for learning for over 10,000 students, averaging an impact with more than 750 students per year. While the newly expanded space will continue to enhance educational opportunities for generations to come, it now carries the name of one key Jackrabbit that SDSU and Sanford Health have in common: Aamlid.
A 1981 State alum, Brian Aamlid followed up his undergrad degree with medical school, laying the foundation for a career as a surgeon that would span from years spent with the Mayo Clinic to later practicing orthopedics in Sioux Falls. After wrapping up his surgical career, he served as co-medical director of the Hip and Knee Replacement and Hip Fracture programs at the Sanford USD Medical Center and as a clinical associate professor with the USD Sanford School of Medicine.
From this work came a strong bond between Brian and Sanford Health – so strong a bond that when Brian announced his retirement, Sanford made a $250,000 gift to the SDSU human anatomy lab to dedicate the facility to him and his family. Brian and his wife, Denise, were champions of the addition of an anatomy lab to SDSU when the idea first circulated among campus leadership. The couple envisioned the space to be an invaluable opportunity to elevate Jackrabbit learning – and their prediction rang true.
At the October 14, 2021, dedication, Brian Aamlid spoke of the impact the space will have on future Jackrabbits – potentially his grandchild. With his wife, Denise, sitting in the front row holding Christian, one of the couple’s 15 grandchildren, he envisioned his grandchildren one day walking into the space for class, reaching up, and tapping the Aamlid Family Human Anatomy Lab sign.
The newly expanded lab offers a first-rate learning environment where Jackrabbits can fully immerse themselves in the subject matter while developing pivotal skillsets and completing experiential dissection procedures. The dynamic and modernized area allows for hands-on practice and invaluable insight as students delve into the study of human anatomy. With the increased space comes increased possibility for programming; few colleges across the country offer undergraduates the chance to dissect cadavers, while SDSU’s lab emphasizes the importance of interactive training for all levels of study. With these transformative experiences, students across all allied health majors will graduate fully prepared to lead the workforce, following in the bold footsteps of Jackrabbits like Brian Aamlid.
