Dawn Back, DMSc, MSOL, PA-C, brings extensive experience in rural healthcare and emergency medicine to Riverwood. She earned her Doctor of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Butler University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University Global. Her Physician Assistant training was completed through the U.S. Air Force’s Interservice Physician Assistant Program, reflecting her strong foundation in military medicine.
Over the course of her career, Dawn has practiced in critical access hospitals and rural health clinics across Alaska, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico, and most recently in Minnesota. She also served in the North Dakota Air National Guard for 23 years, retiring in 2011 after deployments to Saudi Arabia and Iraq and disaster response missions for Hurricane Katrina and Rita.
Dawn’s clinical background includes family medicine, urology, and emergency medicine, and she holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Emergency Medicine from the NCCPA.
Personal philosophy/approach to medical care: “My philosophy is to maintain a growth mindset—always learning and improving to provide the best care possible,” Dawn says. “I’m passionate about keeping rural medicine close to home because there’s comfort in being cared for by people who understand the challenges of rural life.”
Outside of work, Dawn enjoys spending time with her husband of nearly 35 years, their two grown sons, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. She also competes in versatility ranch horse events and loves all things country.
Specialties
- Hospitalist