Aamlid Family Human Anatomy Lab Honors Healthcare Hero

Brian Aamlid’s medical career was catalyzed by his education at SDSU. Now, a part of State will carry his name and support students following in his footsteps.

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SDSU’s human anatomy lab helps students to learn by doing – and 1981 alum Brian Aamlid is no stranger to learning by doing.

An orthopedic surgeon, Brian’s career in the medical field first began at State with his major in chemistry. After a journey spanning both the Mayo Clinic and the University of South Dakota, Brian’s legacy will be reflected in a newly upgraded facility on the SDSU campus: The Aamlid Family Human Anatomy Lab.

Following his graduation at SDSU, Brian pursued his medical education at the University of Minnesota and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He and his wife, Denise, later returned to Sioux Falls, where Brian practiced orthopedics with an emphasis on adult reconstruction.

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 the Aamlid family.

Much like Brian himself, the Aamlid Family Human Anatomy Lab upholds traditions of academic excellence.

Since its inception, more than 10,000 SDSU students have learned within this dynamic and modernized environment. The lab allows for approximately 750 future healthcare professionals to complete critical hands-on dissection practice each year, as well as accommodating visits with over 1,500 high school students who are interested in getting a first-hand glimpse into human anatomy procedures and potential future careers in the medical field.

While the lead gift from Sanford Health is in recognition of Brian’s dedication to medical sciences, the word “family” is an extremely fitting term to include in the name of the lab.

The Aamlid Family

“Multiple members of the Aamlid family have been in the SDSU anatomy family over the years,” said Greg Heiberger, assistant professor and Associate Dean for Academics and Student Success, at the lab’s naming ceremony. “And family is core to the Aamlids. Every time I see them, they make me feel a part of their family. Denise beams as she tells me about the kids and grandkids. And when they speak of giving to State, it is for family: their grands and the family of future Jackrabbits and healthcare leaders who will shape our world.”

(Photo: The Brian and Denise Aamlid family was recognized as the SDSU Family of the Year in 2016.)

At the naming ceremony, Brian and Denise brought their infant grandson, Christian. As he addressed the crowd, Brian looked to his grandson and described a future where one of their 14 grandchildren might pursue an education at SDSU.

He imagined a grandchild will enroll in anatomy lab courses, eager to chase the next chapter of the Aamlid family’s destiny at State. On his grandchild’s first day of class, Brian expects they will cross the threshold of the Aamlid Family Human Anatomy Lab, reach up, and run their fingers over the letters of the family name.

“The anatomy department at SDSU has been built by giants, past and present,” said Brian.

“And while I know someday that there will be other renovations and expansions and innovations that allow for other names to adorn the anatomy lab….today, and in the years to come, I can’t tell you how incredibly honored and deeply humbled we are that our name will be above that door.”