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 […]
In November, we will be honoring the retirement of our long-serving Montana WWAMI TRUST* Director, Lisa Benzel, after years of dedicated service. Lisa was hired for this newly created position in November 2013 and is responsible for growing and shaping TRUST into what it is today. As director and the face of TRUST for Montana, […]
In a quiet Montana valley surrounded by mountains and memories, medical student Willis Pullman is writing his own chapter of fatherhood, purpose and perseverance. Having recently passed his Step 2 exam, Pullman is a rising fourth-year medical student, celebrating not just academic progress, but a growing family and a life built with intention. Born in […]
Did you know caffeine can help to prevent kidney failure in pre-term babies with congenital heart disease (CHD)? Montana WWAMI students Courtney Hallock and Annalisa Hawk are driving forward advancements in pediatric medical research that could help save the lives of infants with CHD. The fourth-year students presented their groundbreaking study at the Pediatric Academic […]
Early exposure to rural clinical practices in hospital and outpatient settings plays a vital role in preparing students for comprehensive medical care. Thirteen Montana WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience (WRITE) students are receiving these transformative experiences as they serve rural communities throughout Big Sky Country. These opportunities are the cornerstone of their medical training, potentially […]
