Dr. David Bean Memorial Guest Lectureship Endowment
The Dr. David Bean Memorial Guest Lectureship Endowment honors Dr. Bean's contributions to the field of psychiatry and his dedication to the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. This endowment will be used to reimburse travel and speaking costs for the guest lecturer who is selected to speak at any of the following SSOM events: the annual Psychiatry conference, a Grand Rounds presentation or the annual Fall Update.
If you prefer to make a check or cash donation, it can either be dropped off or mailed directly to the University of South Dakota Foundation (add Dr. David Bean Memorial Guest Lectureship Endowment to the memo):
USD Foundation
1110 N Dakota St
Vermillion, SD 57069
About David W. Bean, MD, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
David W. Bean, M.D., completed his undergraduate training and attended medical school at the University of Minnesota, he completed an internship (general rotating) at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN and completed his residency at the Mental Health Institute in Cherokee, Iowa. Dr. Bean served as Captain and General Medical Officer, in the United States Air Force, Active Duty from 1961 to 1963, Inactive Reserve Duty from 1963 to 1969; and was honorably discharged in 1969.
Dr. David Bean’s early career in Omaha included positions at Creighton University, University of Nebraska, VA, and Douglas County Hospitals. He was actively teaching and part of the academic faculty throughout. Always interested in medical students and residents, he was known for his extraverted, optimistic gregarious nature. He was President and Medical Director of the County Hospital from June 1971 to July 1976. During his tenure there, he transformed the hospital programs from sub-standard to outstanding. Because of his administrative abilities and his vision for medical education development in South Dakota, he was recruited to simultaneously serve as Administrator of the South Dakota Human Services Center and Chairman of the University of South Dakota, Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Bean was hired in October of 1977 by Charles Hollerman, M.D., Vice President and Dean and served as Chairman from 1977 to 1989 and again as Interim Chairman from October 2001 to June 2004.
Dr. Bean was highly instrumental in dramatically changing the South Dakota Human Services Center. For example, he changed from 0 trained psychiatrists to 11 board certified psychiatrists in less than two years. He was similarly successful at developing new academic programs. He was instrumental in developing, obtaining accreditation and recruiting for the Adult Psychiatry Residency Training Program. Dr. Bean spent countless hours supervising residents, providing didactic instruction and mentoring residents through their four years of training. Dr. Bean practiced forensic psychiatry for the State of South Dakota and taught forensic psychiatry extensively to the residents and involved them in forensic psychiatry evaluations. Dr. Bean was known for his interest and enthusiasm for inviting outstanding presenters from other Universities. He also was busily establishing honors and recognition for South Dakota Academicians.
Dr. David Bean received Life Fellow status from the American Psychiatric Association in January of 1999, and he became a Distinguished Life Fellow in January of 2003. He was a Life Member of the American Medical Association and was honored for his 50-year anniversary of graduation from medical School in October of 2010. Dr. Bean was an active member of the South Dakota Psychiatric Association and was the Founding President from 1978 to 1989, served in other various roles since 1991 and was a member of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law starting in 1993.
On March 1, 2020, David W. Bean, M.D. was recognized for forty-three years of service to South Dakota’s system of public higher education and accorded special recognition for his outstanding service and named Professor Emeritus.
Dr. Bean passed away February 4, 2023.
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