Elizabeth Meyer and Other Inductees Making an Impact Through Healthcare
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and here at the South Dakota Hall of Fame we are honored to have inducted Elizabeth (Betty) Meyer in 2016 for her work saving lives and educating thousands in the field of Mammography.
Elizabeth Meyer worked with the first mammography and breast cancer screening program in South Dakota, presenting over 80 educational sessions on American Cancer Society screening mammography guidelines. She then launched the first mobile mammography services available to rural hospitals and clinics in a three-state area. Elizabeth was awarded the “Unsung Hero” honor from the National Conference of State Legislators Women’s Network for heading up state-mandated insurance coverage for mammography screening. Her leadership helped the South Dakota Susan G. Komen Foundation raise one million dollars, providing funding for numerous S.D. breast health programs through the "All Women Count" program.
Elizabeth learned first-hand of the lack of insurance coverage for screening mammograms and that South Dakota was one of the last states to offer this reimbursement. Following a meeting at the clinic of local SD legislators to ask for their support, a grass root effort began with phone calls and personal visits to insurance companies, the SD Medical Association, the SD Hospital Association, and legislators. On Valentine’s Day 1988, the first of three Jackrabbit bus trips to Pierre left Sioux Falls with 40 Breast Cancer survivors ready to testify on the benefit of life-saving screening mammograms. In 1990, George S. Mickelson signed a bill into law providing coverage to the women of South Dakota. Click here to view Elizabeth’s legacy page.
There are many other Inductees who have made positive changes throughout the landscape of healthcare in South Dakota. Some of these changemakers include:
Abbie Jarvis: South Dakota’s first licensed doctor
Abbie Jarvis was the first woman licensed to practice medicine in South Dakota. Abbie spent her early adult years in Redfield and DeVoe before settling in Faulkton where her husband owned and operated a drug store. As the town’s population grew, Abbie realized the need for additional doctors and took matters into her own hands. She had often assisted her father in his medical practice and, after a 17-year absence from school, Abbie decided to become a physician. With her two young daughters in tow, she moved to Chicago and enrolled in the Women’s Medical College of Northwestern University. Graduating fourth in her class, Abbie received her medical degree in 1898 and returned home to Faulkton to practice medicine. Click here to view Abbie’s legacy page.
Bev Warne: IMpacting generations through her work
Throughout a giving career spanning more than twenty dependable positions, Bev Warne consistently held increasing roles of responsibility in several South Dakota establishments. Bev is recognized locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally as a leader in the advancement of the ever-expanding nursing profession. She continues to be an advocate and mentor and is employed at South Dakota State University (SDSU) College of Nursing as an instructor/mentor/coordinator of the Native American Nursing Education Center in Rapid City. The center’s goal is to increase and diversify the nursing workforce in South Dakota. She has worked to prepare advanced practice nurses at the professional doctorate level, focused on preventative care in rural, underserved, and Indigenous populations. Click here to view Bev’s legacy page.
Dr. John Barlow: advancing South dakota’s medical school
Dr. John Barlow’s achievements include scientist, scholar, and teacher. He displayed humility in his career achievements and has positively impacted medicine across the state. In 1965, he joined the Laboratory of Clinical Medicine at SDSU. His influence helped create a regional reference laboratory; the nucleus of the Sioux Valley Hospital Pathology department, and provided oversight for both the two-year and four-year Medical Schools, developing Sioux Valley Hospital into a regional clinical leader. In 1985, while practicing Pathology, he became Chairman of the Board for the institution in Rapid City, leading it into the Integrated Medical System for Western South Dakota. Click here to view Dr. Barlow’s legacy page.
Dr. Milton G. Mutch: a pioneer of obstetrics and gynecology
Milton G. Mutch, M.D., can claim an impressive list of professional and philanthropic achievements. Perhaps the achievement that has consistently made a difference to so many families, is the celebration of life that happened every time he delivered a baby. In 1959 Dr. Mutch became one of the first physicians with formal obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) training to practice in South Dakota, and he has since delivered nearly 10,000 babies. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ltd. introduced mammography to its patients, and it was Dr. Mutch who welcomed fathers into the delivery room. He was a key participant in the South Dakota Neonatal Program and worked tirelessly to ensure the development of a nationally respected Maternal Transport System. Click here to view Dr. Mutch’s legacy page.
To learn more about these inductees, and so many more, click here to view our inductee directory.