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NORTHERN TODAY
16
SPRING 2016
NSU alumna has
successful career
with U.S. Public
Health Service
Growing up in a small, rural community in South
Dakota, Dr. Rochelle Nolte had big dreams. She also
had an unparalleled sense of compassion and drive,
and the desire to make a difference, which is what
attracted her to Northern State University.
ALUMNI
HIGHLIGHT
T
oday, Nolte is at the pinnacle of a
highly successful career as a board
certified physician. She attributes
that life transformation to NSU
and the top-notch professors who
wouldn’t settle for anything less than her full
potential.
“My experiences with the Public Health
Service have been beyond anything I ever
could have dreamed up for myself. I never
could have imagined such a great career,” she
said. “I have Northern to thank for that.”
Nolte attended NSU from 1988 to 1992. She
was active in 4-H, Cadet Club, and ROTC.
She was named the ROTC Cadet of the Year
for two consecutive years and was awarded
the Army Reserve Component Achievement
Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Her experiences with ROTC and NSU helped
her find her calling in the medical field, and
before graduation she knew she wanted to
work for the U.S. Public Health Service.
She graduated summa cum laude
with a bachelor’s degree in biology and
environmental science. Hoping to work as a
physician on the front lines of America’s public
health, she applied and was accepted to the
esteemed military medical school Uniformed
Services University of the Health Sciences
(USUHS).
Nolte admits that at first she was intimidated
since many of her classmates had graduated
from the most prestigious institutions in
the nation. But, she said, Northern State
University gave her every opportunity to be
successful.
Northern professors – including Dr. Lynn
Hodgson, Dr. Sam Gingrich, and many others –
provided advice, encouragement and personal
attention that increased
her confidence level and
challenged her to do her
best in whatever she was
doing.
She also remembers
being required to take
classes in a wide variety
of disciplines and said at
that time, she didn’t realize how they would
relate to her future. She now credits her
well-rounded education to the appreciation
and passion she has for many subjects,
including world history and circuit training,
which allowed her to use her sports medicine
knowledge to treat patients, as well as join
them in the gym.
Nolte officially became a doctor in 1996,
completing her post-graduate medical
training at Dewitt Army Hospital and Johns
Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Based on
her superior residency performance, Nolte
was hand-selected as the outstanding family
medicine resident and chief resident. Then,
she completed a respected fellowship in sport
medicine at USUHS, which fueled her passion
for the field.
While working to continue her education
she also worked as a member of the
disaster medical assistance team, a group of
professional medical personnel that provide
rapid-response medical care or casualty
decontamination during a terrorist attack,
natural disaster or other national emergencies.
Her missions included serving as an
emergency responder in two hurricanes, the
World Trade Center attacks, the Brentwood
Post Office attacks involving airborne anthrax,
the Pentagon, the Salt Lake City Olympics,
presidential inaugurations and events, and the
Kosovar Refugee Crisis. Nolte’s distinguished
service was recognized by the United States
military with the PHS Commendation Medal,
Special Assignment Award, Presidential Unit
Citation, National Defense Service Medal,
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
Crisis Response Service Award, and the Army
Achievement Medal.
Nolte’s experience also includes serving
with the U.S. Coast Guard in various roles.
While there, she was named the PHS Clinical
Physician of the Year. Now at the Bureau of
Prisons in San Diego, Calif., she plays a critical
role in caring for patients with complex
medical and psychiatric problems. She
continues to practice Sports Medicine, taking
care of Recruits at Marine Corps Recruit
Depot in San Diego for a couple of mornings
each month.
Today, Nolte has authored 16 publications,
has spoken at over 30 conferences and
workshops, and is a member of numerous
medical associations. In her spare time, she
volunteers as the team physician for the DC
Divas Women’s Football Team and enjoys
spending time with her family.
Nolte is married with two daughters and
is looking forward to bringing them back to
South Dakota for their first Gypsy Day.
--By Kelli Krause
Northern State University alumna Dr. Rochelle Nolte
checks the vitals of a newborn following an emergency
delivery on a ship.
(Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard)
ALUMNI
NEWS