Wyoming WWAMI second-year students celebrated their passage into clinical training at the Clinical Transitions Ceremony, held at the Marian Rochelle Gateway Center. WWAMI faculty and staff joined University of Wyoming and University of Washington leadership, hospital leaders from across the state, alumni, and families to honor the E-24 class. The event honors the pivotal shift from classroom learning to hands-on clinical training across the five-state WWAMI region.
Wyoming WWAMI Director and Assistant Foundations Dean Todd Guth welcomed attendees, praising students’ perseverance and resilience over the previous 18 months. He also highlighted the supportive community driving WWAMI’s goal “To Train Future Physicians From Wyoming, In Wyoming, and For Wyoming.”
University of Wyoming Provost Anne Alexander and incoming University of Washington School of Medicine Vice Dean LeeAnna Muzquiz reflected on the essential partnership between the two “UWs” and WWAMI graduates’ role in strengthening Wyoming’s rural clinical workforce.
Keynote speaker Suzanne Allen, Vice Dean for Academic, Rural, and Regional Affairs, emphasized the white coat and stethoscope as symbols of compassion, professionalism, honor, and readiness to serve underserved communities.
WWAMI College Head Julie Carlson and mentors Tyler Gallo and Nate Valencia-Still presented white coats to each second-year student, sharing personalized reflections on their journey in medical school.
Dr. Guth awarded three honors: Annika Syvrud for the Howard Wilson Award for Primary Care (honoring Thermopolis physician Dr. Howard Wilson’s legacy); Cassidy Sebastian and Shay Nelson for the Pheneger Community Health Award (celebrating Laramie ophthalmologist Dr. Paul Pheneger’s legacy); and Ben Radosevich for the new Excellence in Foundations Award (for top academic, lab, clinical performance, and proactive influence on the learning environment).
Medical Student Association leaders Kyler Arriola, Noah Gustafson, and Avery Potter provided a meaningful reflection from the student perspective of the past two years in Laramie, while a slide show designed by Class Historian Sarah Rutherford wrapped up the ceremony.