Future rural physicians stepped beyond the classroom and into conversations about leadership, advocacy and community health during the Montana WWAMI TRUST Student Leadership Retreat, held June 24–27 in Bozeman. The annual retreat brought together second- and third-year TRUST students for several days of learning, mentorship and reflection as they prepare to serve rural and underserved […]
For more than two decades, Cindy Stergar has strengthened Montana’s healthcare system by helping to build the primary care workforce, expanding access to medical services and championing physician education. Now, after retiring as CEO of the Montana Primary Care Association, she leaves Montana with a stronger physician workforce and a lasting influence on the next […]
For Serena Brewer, D.O., becoming director of the WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience (WRITE) program is an opportunity to help expand the model of medical education she has experienced firsthand, both as a physician and as a longtime preceptor. Dr. Brewer, who also serves as a Montana WWAMI Assistant Clinical Dean, took over as WRITE […]
For Dr. Megan Marstaeller (E19), returning home to Montana isn’t just the next step in her career. It’s the fulfillment of a goal that first took shape during her medical school training. After completing her pediatric residency this summer through the Pediatric Residency of Idaho (PRI), Dr. Marstaeller returned to Montana to begin practicing at […]
University of Washington School of Medicine students are afforded the increasingly rare opportunity to have an experiential summer experience between the first and second year of medical school as part of their pre-clerkship experiences. For two months, Wyoming WWAMI students can engage in research, pursue a global health experience, or experience a clinical rotation in […]
Last month, Wyoming WWAMI welcomed our new E-26 class of first year students to Laramie! The new cohort officially began their medical education journey on Monday July 13th with orientation activities and events to get to know each other and meet faculty, staff, and leadership from both the University of Washington and the University of […]
Wyoming WWAMI is proud to celebrate our outstanding clinical educators who earned WRITE (WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience) – Excellence in Teaching Awards this year. Dr. Mattson Mathey, practicing in Thermopolis, WY and Dr. Clint McMahill, practicing in Fremont County, WY, were both honored with the award, which is based on nominations from students participating […]
For Wesley Simko, the path to medicine began close to home, watching his father care for patients as an emergency room nurse in a critical access hospital. His RUOP experience in Hailey gave him another opportunity to see the difference a physician can make in a rural community. An Idaho WWAMI student, Wesley completed his […]
For Idaho WWAMI student Natalie Warr of Boise, the desire to become a physician began early—shaped by watching people she loved struggle to access health care and trust the system. Her RUOP rotation gave her the opportunity to turn that early calling into hands-on experience serving a rural Idaho community. Natalie completed her four-week Rural […]
For Karen Sanchez-Reyes, rural medicine is more than a career path—it reflects the community that first inspired her to become a physician. Karen completed her four-week Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) rotation at Valor Health in Emmett from June 29 to July 24, 2026 under the mentorship of preceptor Madison Beatty, MD. The elective gives […]
