Friend of Family Medicine – Roger Schauer, MD, Grand Forks

Roger Schauer, MD from Grand Forks was selected as the 2013 Recipient of the Friend of Family Medicine Award.  Dr. Roger Schauer has worked diligently for the North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians and for the specialty of Family Medicine for over 30 years.  He has been an outstanding teacher of family medicine in both the clinic and academic settings.

Dr Schauer has been an active teacher of family medicine since he first entered practice at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND in 1974.  He received his first academic appointment with the UND School of Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor in 1979.  In 1991 he was promoted to Assistant Professor of the Department of Family Medicine.  In 1992 he left his practice in Hettinger and became Director of the Family & Community Medicine Clerkship, a position he has held for the past 21 years. He also served as Coordinator for Phase III and V of the medical student’s education at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences from 1992 to 1998.  He has been involved in multiple small groups and other educational experiences for medical students throughout his career.  He has also served on multiple committees for the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, including the medical school Admissions Committee since 1994.  In 1996 he was promoted to Associate Professor of the Department of Family Medicine which is the academic appointment he still holds today.  Dr Schauer was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the highly successful ROME (Rural Opportunities in Medical Education) program and has served as its director since 1998.

Dr. Schauer has been an active member and leader for the North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians.  In 1986-1987 he served as the President of the NDAFP.  The following year he completed his leadership term as chairman of the board of directors.  Since 1991 he has served as an ex-officio member of the NDAFP Board of Directors.    He was the recipient of the North Dakota Family Physician of the Year award in 1990.  He has served as Co-Editor of the Family Medicine Quarterly since 1992.  He has served on the NDAFP Foundation Board of Directors since 1998 and now serves as Chairman of the NDAFP Foundation where he has provided very strong leadership as the Foundation’s assets have grown significantly in recently years.  He has been an ever-present contributor at our annual meetings and other activities since before any other active NDAFP member can remember.

Dr. Schauer has also worked diligently outside of the NDAFP to further the ideals of Family Medicine.  He has served on various committees and held offices at both the district and state level of the North Dakota Medical Association.  He has served as a peer reviewer since 1991 for various journals including “Family Medicine”, “Postgraduate Medicine” and the on-line journal “Teaching and Learning in Medicine”.  Dr. Schauer has also promoted the ideals of family medicine through his involvement and leadership in various community activities including the Grand Forks Kiwanis Club since 1992, his church and other community organizations.

Dr. Roger Schauer has been instrumental in Family Medicine in North Dakota and truly deserves this honor.