Our Doctors
Dr. Stephen M. Kovarik
Dr. Stephen M. Kovarik is board certified in pediatrics and neonatal/perinatal medicine. He specializes in the care of premature newborns and extremely ill infants. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a current board member at Rapid City Regional Hospital, was a past Chief of Staff of Rapid City Regional Hsopital and past President of the South Dakota Perinatal Association. He is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics with the Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota. He obtained his medical degree at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. His residency was done at the University of Michican, Ann Arbor, MI. His fellowship in neonatology was completed at the University of Michigan as well.
Dr. Steven I. Benn
Dr. Steven I. Benn is board certified in pediatrics and in neonatology. He specializes in the care of extremely low birth weight, premature infants, and acutely ill full-term infants. He is the Director of the Neonatal intensive Care Unit at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He is a past Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics with The Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota. He obtained his medical degree at LaFaculte’ De Medecine d’Angers in France. His residency was done at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA. He completed his fellowship in the Division of Neonatology at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. He also completed a medical research fellowship at the Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Dr. Kimberly Balay
Dr. Kimberly Balay is board certified in pediatrics, board eligible in neonatology, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She specializes in the care of premature and sick infants with a special interest in nutrition. Prior to medical school, she completed a dietetic internship as a Regent’s Fellow at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, and she worked as a registered dietitian (RD). She obtained her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Her residency in pediatrics and fellowship in neonatology were also done at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston TX.
Dr. David Whitney
Dr. David Whitney is board certified in pediatrics and has been in practice at Black Hills Pediatrics and Neonatology since 1994. Dr. Whitney is a graduate of Augustana College and received his medical degree from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson. He is a clinical professor of pediatrics for the University of South Dakota-Sanford School of Medicine and is a past president of the South Dakota Chapter of the America Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Lori A. Strong
Dr. Lori A. Strong is a board-certified pediatrician who has been practicing at the clinic since August 1990. She has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, past Chief of Staff and past Chairman of the Board of Directors at Rapid City Regional Hospital. She is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics with the Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota. Her residency was done at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO.
Dr. Lynn M. Simmons
Dr. Lynn M. Simmons is a board-certified pediatrician with special interests in well child care, infectious disease, dermatology, ADHD, and respiratory illnesses. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is the Chairman of the Pediatric Department at Rapid City Regional Hospital. She received her medical degree at Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE. Her residency was done at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. She is currently Medical Director of the Rapid City Regional Hospital Tender Care-Sick Day Care facility.
Dr. Donald E. Oliver
Dr. Donald E. Oliver is a board-certified pediatrician with a special interest in pediatric intensive care. He is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics with the Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is a past Chief of Staff at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He received his medical doctorate at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. His residency was done at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX. As one of the founders of Black Hills Pediatrics and Neonatology, L.L.P., Dr. Oliver has been serving the needs of children and youth in this area for over 30 years.
Dr. David W. Mueller
Dr. David W. Mueller is a board-certified pediatrician with special interests in respiratory illness, child abuse, and infectious diseases. He was born and raised in the Black Hills area and joined our group in June of 2007. He has completed his residency at Oklahoma State University Medical Center, where he served as chief resident his last year. He received his medical degree from Des Moines University-College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, IA. Dr. Mueller is a member of both the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians. Dr. Mueller is currently the Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Rapid City Regional Hospital and is also the Medical Director of the Child Advocacy Center of The Black Hills. He is married and has three children. He enjoys the great outdoors by hiking and fly fishing.
Dr. Margaret F. Kuehler
Dr. Margaret F. Kuehler is a board-certified pediatrician who completed her residency at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, IA. She began her practice at Black Hills Pediatrics and Neonatology, LLP on August 1, 2013. She graduated from the University of South Dakota – Sanford School of Medicine in 2010. She is originally from Hill City, SD and is happy to be back in the Black Hills with her husband, Chris. Her favorite part of pediatrics is well child care, but she also has interests in developmental pediatrics, adolescent medicine, and critical care.
Dr. Greg W. Anderson
Dr. Greg W. Anderson is a board-certified pediatrician with over 20 years military service split between the Army and Air Force. He has special interests in emergency, military families and Star Wars. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Anderson attended medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri and residency at Wright-Patterson Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. He was an Air Force pediatrician at Altus AFB in Oklahoma and at Ellsworth AFB here in Rapid City prior to joining Black Hills Pediatrics and Neonatology, LLP. He is married with three children and will be continuing to serve in the Air Force Reserve.
Dr. Cara M. Hamilton
Dr. Cara M. Hamilton is a board-certified pediatrician who completed her residency at The University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Dr. Hamilton began her practice at our clinic on August 1, 2010. She received her medical degree from the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. Dr. Hamilton has special interests in adolescent medicine, well child care and child abuse and works closely with the Child Advocacy Center. Dr. Hamilton is the current Managing Partner of Black Hills Pediatrics. She is a native of Rapid City and is happy to serve her home town and surrounding area.
Dr. Sam L. Mortimer
Dr. Sam L. Mortimer is a board-certified pediatrician with special interests in ADHD, asthma, and allergic disorders. He is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He received his medical degree from the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. He did his residency at the University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ. He also completed a fellowship in ambulatory pediatrics at the University of Arizona Medical Center. Dr. Mortimer was one of the original physicians who founded Black Hills Pediatrics and Neonatology, L.L.P., and has been an advocate for children in Rapid City for over 30 years.