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Dakota Midday: New SDSMA President Tim Ridgway

South Dakota State Medical Association

The South Dakota State Medical Association has a new president. Tim Ridgway, MD of Brandon was elected during the organization's annual meeting May 29. Dr. Ridgway is dean of faculty affairs and associate professor of medicine at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. He has an active gastroenterology practice and serves as director of endoscopy at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls.

The state medical association is a professional organization of more than 2,000 physicians, residents and medical students. Its stated mission is promoting the arts and science of medicine, protecting and improving the health of the public and providing leadership and advocacy in the field of health care.

Dr. Ridgway joined Dakota Midday and discussed the SDSMA's concerns, including physician shortages.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.