From the operating room in Alaska’s Mat-Su Valley to the clinical training of medical students across the state, Iuliana Bobanga, MD, is helping guide the next generation of surgeons. A general and endocrine surgeon with Mat-Su Surgical Associates, Dr. Bobanga also serves as the Clerkship Director for the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Alaska WWAMI .
As a Clinical Assistant Professor, she finds deep meaning in teaching during students’ clinical years.
“I have fond memories of being a medical student on my surgery rotation and I love to teach,” she said. “The clinical years of medical school are so formative, and I hope I can make a small impact by being part of their journey.”
Practicing in suburban Alaska brings exceptional breadth to both patient care and student learning. Patients travel from urban hubs, remote communities, and even outside the state for surgical care. Without residents in the program, WWAMI students work directly alongside attending surgeons, gaining hands-on experience across trauma, thoracic, endocrine, and general surgery.
For Dr. Bobanga, mentorship is also a source of reflection.
“Working with students reminds me to go back to the basics and reflect on why we practice medicine the way we do,” she said.
Thank you, Dr. Bobanga, for your leadership, mentorship, and commitment to advancing medical education throughout Alaska and the WWAMI region.
