When the sun appeared during Andrea Storer’s first TRUST rotation in Juneau, her preceptor encouraged her to get outside and explore.
For the first-year Alaska WWAMI student, those sunny days offered a chance to discover more of the community she was getting to know through her clinical experience at Valley Medical. But it was her time with patients and the clinic team that left the deepest impression.
Storer spent May 27 – June 2, 2026 working alongside her preceptor, Dr. Kacy Herron, and quickly appreciated the personal nature of care in a smaller community.
“I enjoyed how personable the patient-physician interactions were,” Storer said. “While this is true in any medical setting, I think building trust and rapport within smaller, rural communities is especially important.”
With some patients traveling long distances for care in Southeast Alaska, Storer saw how relationships can be especially meaningful. Providing quality, continuous care, meeting patients where they are and giving them information and autonomy in their medical decisions all help to build trust, she said.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the experience for Storer was seeing those relationships extend throughout the entire care experience.
“My biggest takeaway was how relational the patient care was, from the front desk to the nurse to the physician and everyone in between,” she said. “Forming human connection is such a
meaningful part of medicine, so I really enjoyed seeing physicians at Valley Medical emulate how I hope to serve patients in the future.”
Storer also gained a deeper understanding of Juneau through a patient interview, part of her field study experience. That included talking with a local resident about life in the community, walking a social cat on the docks, and facing rising downtown rent. All of that provided her with a glimpse into how everyday experiences can intersect with health and well-being.
“I thought the patient interview was a great assignment as it allowed me to connect with someone on a personal level, giving me a deeper understanding of the community, which I find very valuable,” she said.
Outside the clinic, Storer explored trails, beaches, lakes, and the area around Mendenhall Glacier, while sampling restaurants around Juneau. Nature and food are two of her favorite interests, making both a highlight of her time there.
Getting to know Juneau both inside and outside the clinic gave Storer an early sense of the kind of physician she hopes to become, one who values connection with both patients and the community.