Dallin Christensen: ENT doctor exchanges desert life for the mountains

Last Updated 2 months ago

Born and raised in a small farming town in southern Arizona, Dallin Christensen believed he would always be a desert boy. “I sort of thought I would live my whole life there,” said the newest partner at West River Ear, Nose, & Throat.

His plans began to change shortly after moving to Utah to attend Brigham Young University for his undergraduate degree. “BYU is at the base of the Wasatch Front, and I spent a lot of time flyfishing, hiking, mountain biking, all that outdoor stuff. I really fell in love with the mountains and seasons. Getting out of Arizona, I realized leaves change in the fall and it is not always hot.”

Dallin discovered what he loved about Arizona was the small-town feel and tight-knit community of his hometown.

He found both nature and small-town living in Rapid City.

“Rapid City has the things we were looking for – activities for kids, good school system, feels like a tight-knit community,” Dallin said.

After earning his degree from BYU, Dallin attended the University of Arizona for medical school and then the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for his surgical training in otolaryngology. Dallin and his wife Michelle have four children with one on the way. “We loved Omaha for having a family. There is this Midwest niceness, but we wanted something a little smaller.”

The couple had previously visited Rapid City during a road trip. “My wife has a cousin who lives in town. I remember thinking it is a lot prettier than I thought South Dakota was.”

They thought of Rapid City when searching for jobs and a new home. Dallin called Drs. Rob Schleiffarth and Troy Howard, partners in West River ENT, inquiring about any opportunities.

The timing worked. Schleiffarth and Howard were looking to bring in another doctor.

Dallin said it’s great living in a flourishing community with increasing job growth and a focus on improving medical opportunities. “I really saw that when I interviewed and wanted to be a part of that. I think it is really great to provide comprehensive care given the size of the city. I think we have a really good thing going.”

Dallin enjoys all areas of ear, nose, and throat surgery, and has particular interests in pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck cancer, sinus problems, ear disease, and hearing loss. “I found that it is really rewarding in that we have good options for problems that are affecting people’s daily lives, their quality of life. Sometimes it is a surgical option, sometimes it is another medical option. I like the ability of having both of those in my practice.”

Dallin and his family are loving their new home. In fact, they are working on getting more family members, including Michelle’s parents, to move to the area.

“It has been great. Coming in, I sort of knew what I was getting with the practice, the Black Hills, the City, but the amazing welcome we have gotten has been surprising. The medical community has been so supportive and people have reached out to my wife. It has been exactly what we were hoping for.”


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