Long before he ever set foot in Alaska, Dr. Kosta Turchaninov was captivated by stories of the North. As a child, he devoured the adventure novels of Jack London, a fascination that quietly planted the seed for a future in the far north. Dr. Turchaninov began his medical journey in Kazan, Russia, where he completed […]
Against the backdrop of snow-covered peaks in Girdwood, Alaska WWAMI faculty gathered with a shared purpose: strengthening how they teach, assess, and mentor the next generation of physicians. The Alaska WWAMI Educator Development Conference (February 6, 2026) focused on practical strategies educators can apply immediately in clinical settings, with sessions on writing effective letters […]
At the Alaska WWAMI site in Anchorage, a student-led initiative is bringing the power of music into clinical spaces. Music in Medicine, a service-learning group founded by second-year medical students Will Simard and Alyssa Mandich and now co-led with first-year student Yi Chan, aims to create moments of comfort and connection for patients, families and […]
Ten Alaska WWAMI students took the national stage Jan. 15–17, 2026 at the Western Medical Research Conference (WMRC) in Carmel, California, sharing their research with peers and faculty from across the Western United States. WMRC is an annual conference that brings together medical students, residents, and faculty to present scholarly work, exchange ideas, and build […]
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 […]
(*Draft – Pending Review*) Earlier this month, Alaska WWAMI first-year students stepped outside the classroom and into the Blood Bank of Alaska for a behind-the-scenes look at how transfusion medicine supports patients across the Last Frontier. Led by Dr. Megan Ritter, Chief Medical Director of the Blood Bank of Alaska, the tour brought course concepts […]
When Alaska’s physician community honors one of its own, it is for impact that reaches far beyond a single patient. That distinction belongs to Dr. Benjamin Westley, who has been named a 2025 Golden Stethoscope Award recipient by the Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association (AHHA). The award recognizes his leadership, innovation, and sustained commitment to […]
Twenty-eight Alaska WWAMI second-year students crossed an important threshold earlier this month during the Clinical Transition Ceremony in Anchorage. The momentous event launched the pivotal shift from foundational coursework (the first 18 months of medical school) to real-world patient care for the students. The ceremony, held at at the University of Alaska Anchorage Fine Arts […]
During the poster session (on November 10, 2025), the Alaska WWAMI community paused to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Jan Eugene Whitefield, who passed away on August 23, 2025, at the age of 80 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. Known as “Bud” to his family and friends and “Dr. Whitefield” to generations […]
Alaska WWAMI recently participated in the Alaska Interior Medical Education Summit (AIMES) in Fairbanks, an event for prospective students exploring both traditional and non-traditional pathways into healthcare and medicine. Attendees ranged from high school students to adults considering a career change, creating an engaging environment full of questions about what medical training in Alaska can […]
