June 20, 2023

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Dr. Alisa Reindl, a family practice physician with Avera Medical Group McGreevy 7th Avenue.

Name: Alisa Reindl

Hometown: I grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota, and I graduated from Kindred High School.

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

My husband, who is also a doctor, is from western South Dakota. We found Sioux Falls appealing because here we could complete our residencies in our respective specialties and stay close to family.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

I love Avera’s culture with our mission and focus on patients, and our leaders encourage physicians to lead on that level. It’s a cultural difference and one that makes Avera so unique. I’m grateful to be a part of it. My husband and I thrive knowing outside of work we have arts, outdoor recreation, a food scene and ease of travel. Since we’re from “both Dakotas,” Sioux Falls is a nice middle ground where we can stay connected to our families.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Building relationships with families and individuals. I can positively impact their health or clinic outcomes. I see people of many ages, so it’s hard to pick one. I’d say providing obstetrics — OB — care and seeing children I helped deliver grow up is really rewarding.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I honestly didn’t really know what I was getting into when I chose medicine. I have no family members or anyone in my childhood community that was in medicine. I had an interest in math and science in high school, and I was good at it, so I figured health care would be a good way to go.

I planned on nursing, and then the summer after high school, I worked at a special needs camp. It was such an empowering, encouraging and positive group that led to increased self-confidence. That summer, when I went to register, I thought I should at least try and see if I could go for a full MD degree. I changed my major from nursing to biology, and the rest is history. I made it along the way with help from great professors and physicians. They let me shadow them, and they mentored me.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Fun, compassionate, collaborative.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I really enjoy road biking and have done rides in different parts of the country. My greatest achievement to date is biking up Mount Evans in Colorado. It’s a 7,000-foot climb covering approximately 28 miles, and it tops out around 14,000 feet. It was definitely a challenge but an amazing ride!

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I enjoy caring for the diverse and more underserved populations in Sioux Falls. My practice location at 7th Avenue gives me this opportunity.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

REI. I like outdoor adventures, and, therefore, a person needs good gear. I appreciate their cooperative business model and focus on employees – they were one of the first major retailers to close on Black Friday. Their stores host free clinics on outdoor topics and organize short trips to get more people into the outdoors.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’ll continue caring for families in the community at my clinic. I hope to continue to work on advancing initiatives within Avera to support our community and health care workers. I’d like to be more engaged in community programs I’m passionate about. You’ll still find me on the bike trail or hiking around at Good Earth State Park.