Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship

In 2005, Northern Plains Eye Foundation launched a scholarship program to promote education and research into the eye health arena through collaborations with area educational institutions. At its inception, scholarships were awarded to high school seniors entering full-time, post-high school training in health-related fields, with preference given to those focusing on eye-related health training.

Donate to the Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman Scholarship

The Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship was created in 2011 by Northern Plains Eye Foundation to honor Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman, a respected partner in Ophthalmology at Black Hills Regional Eye Institute and much-loved member of our Foundation’s Board of Directors, who passed away in January 2011 after a courageous battle with malignant melanoma of the eye. Dr. Zimmerman was a wonderful gift to his profession with a genuine love of people. Through the Northern Plains Eye Foundation Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Zimmerman’s legacy of leadership, service and kindness is remembered.

Today, by means of an agreement with The University of South Dakota Foundation, Northern Plains Eye Foundation awards the Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship to fourth year medical students at The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine with an expressed interest in ophthalmology or optometry. The recipient must be a student from the Northern Plains Eye Foundation service area, which includes all of South Dakota, Northeastern Wyoming, Southeastern Montana, Southwestern North Dakota, and Northwestern Nebraska.

In 2014 the Northern Plains Eye Foundation Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Daniel Terveen. Daniel is a native of Spearfish, SD, who attended the University of Sioux Falls majoring in Biology and Chemistry, and is now a fourth year medical student at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. He is fascinated by the intricate and precise nature of ophthalmology, as well as the ability to follow patients throughout their care. Daniel was recently involved in a data analysis project for Northern Plains Eye Foundation’s Children’s Vision Screening Initiative (CVSI) and is looking forward to the publication of a manuscript detailing the results of the research project. He hopes to attend an ophthalmology residency and a fellowship following medical school, with a goal to return to work in the Black Hills.

The 2013 recipient of the Northern Plains Eye Foundation Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship is David Somsen. David is a graduate of Yankton High School, and is now attending the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota. He initially attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities majoring in Genetics, Cell Biology and Development.   His love for "fringe" subjects like genetics brought him to become interested in ophthalmology. Upon graduation from the University of South Dakota medical school, he is considering a residency in ophthalmology as well as perhaps a fellowship in one of the subspecialties.

Celebrate Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman’s legacy and support the education of our future eye care professionals by donating to the Northern Plains Eye Foundation Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship.