Montana WWAMI was in the spotlight at the annual Rural Medical Educators Conference in Atlanta, Georgia May 20-23, 2025. Montana WWAMI Assistant Clinical Dean Jay S. Erickson, M.D., and third-year medical student Chelsea Koessel, provided presentations on integrating advocacy into the TRUST (Targeted Rural Underserved Track) curriculum.
“Advocacy and community engagement are key to successful rural medical education programs and the outcome of returning graduates to rural practice,” said Erickson.
The presentations sparked strong interest and thoughtful questions about advocacy and leadership opportunities available to WWAMI students. 
Koessel shared how TRUST has supported her advocacy work for underserved populations, highlighting her involvement in the Neighborhood Health Initiative, which included organizing clinics at a Bozeman warming shelter and a pediatric health fair. She also spoke about mentoring future medical students through the Alliance for Equal Representation in Medicine, attending the National Rural Health Association Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., co-leading a Medicaid expansion letter-writing workshop, and participating in global health efforts in Mongolia.
“The TRUST program offers students a rare opportunity to become deeply involved in their longitudinal communities – not only through excellent clinical training with experienced attending physicians but also through meaningful mentorship that encourages engagement beyond the clinical setting.”
Erickson praised Koessel for delivering an impressive presentation that conveyed the uniqueness and value of the TRUST program.
“The audience was amazed at everything she had accomplished in just two and a half years of medical school,” he said.