She was drawn to the UW School of Medicine’s WWAMI program for its commitment to community-based training. “It’s given me the opportunity to complete part of my education in my home state and return to Naknek every year,” she explains. “Alaska’s medical community is small but incredibly supportive, and being able to build relationships within this network so early in my training has enriched both my education and my sense of belonging.”
Passionate about mentorship and representation, Laura serves as a medical student mentor in the Alaska Native into Oncology (ANION) program, where she helps guide Alaska Native high school and college students exploring careers in medicine.
“For any Alaska Native or American Indian student interested in medicine, my biggest advice is to just get your foot in the door—and don’t be afraid to explore,” she says. “Go to that meet-and-greet or conference where you may not know anyone. Listening to others’ stories can be incredibly inspiring and can help you see what next steps you want to take. Keep track of your connections and nurture those relationships—they can become your support network later on.”