Montana WWAMI students joined peers from across the region in Coeur d’Alene, ID, last month for the annual WWAMI TRUST (Targeted Rural Underserved Track) Leadership Retreat. The gathering is 2 ½ days of sessions designed to challenge TRUST scholars to strengthen their skills as future rural physicians. A central highlight of the retreat was the […]
Earlier this month (September 8-10 ,2025), first-year Montana WWAMI medical students participated in the American Indian Medical Experience (AIME), a three-day program designed to build cultural understanding and prepare future physicians to serve rural and underserved communities. Students split into two groups: one visiting the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, the other traveling to the Crow […]
The Montana Medical Association recently celebrated four Montana WWAMI students at its 147th annual meeting and dinner in Helena, awarding each a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of their dedication to medicine and service to communities across the state. The 2025 recipients were first-year student Geri Cutler of Helena, second-year medical student Barla Beaudoin of Red […]
Thirty first-year Montana WWAMI students marked an important milestone in their medical journey at the White Coat Ceremony in Bozeman on September 12, 2025. As each student donned the white coat for the first time, they embraced the responsibilities, standards, and commitments expected of a physician. For Matt and Annie Waldum, the ceremony was especially […]
This summer, Montana’s Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) hosted MedStart Camps across the state, giving high school students an inside look at healthcare careers. Designed for rural, low-income, and first-generation college students, the week-long camps combine hands-on learning, career exploration, and college-life experiences, while awarding one transferable college credit through Montana Tech. Camps were offered […]
From bustling hospitals in Manila to rural outreach centers in Nepal, two Montana WWAMI students discovered how health care challenges around the world can shape the way they practice medicine at home. The University of Washington School of Medicine’s Global Health Pathway gives WWAMI students the chance to explore health care delivery across borders, while […]
Growing up in Livingston, Kara Francis, MD, knew that when she became a physician, she wanted to do more than care for patients — she wanted to teach. After earning her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Oregon in 2015, she went on to graduate from the University […]
Third-year Montana WWAMI medical student Alex Wickens knows firsthand how uncertain the path to medicine can feel, especially for students growing up in rural towns. That’s why he’s committed to giving back by visiting high schools across Montana, encouraging students to consider futures in medicine and educating them about the WWAMI program. Wickens, who grew […]
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 […]
On May 22, 2025, Montana WWAMI fourth-year medical student Darcie Caldwell delivered a powerful, personal reflection while representing her class during the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Transition to Residency plenary session. Her speech highlighted the emotional depth of medical training, and the bonds forged within the WWAMI program. In her speech, Caldwell likened […]
