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 […]
After celebrating the remarkable work showcased at this year’s poster presentation (Nov. 10, 2025), the Alaska WWAMI E24 class recognized someone whose guidance helped make those accomplishments possible. Dr. Elizabeth Ferucci, Affiliate Professor in the Division of Rheumatology and physician with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, was presented with the Outstanding Research Mentor Award. […]
Alaska WWAMI faculty members who have made an extraordinary impact on medical education were also honored during the poster presentation in Anchorage on November 10, 2025. Teaching awards across both the Foundations and Clinical Phases recognized instructors whose dedication, expertise, and mentorship elevate the student experience. Foundations Phase Teaching Awards Dr. Anne Musser, DO — […]
Alaska WWAMI second-year medical students impressed faculty, peers, and community members earlier this month (November 10, 2025) as they shared their research at the annual (Triple I) poster presentation in Anchorage. Twenty-six students showcased work that blends classroom science with real-world medical practice, demonstrating how hands-on inquiry strengthens clinical reasoning, sparks creativity, and builds confidence […]
This November, Alaska WWAMI is honoring our veterans and the incredible commitment they make to our nation. Among them is Caleb Wagle, a second-year Alaska WWAMI medical student and a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, whose journey blends military service with a dedication to compassionate patient care. Wagle was commissioned in February […]
“My family is from Naknek, a small fishing village in the Bristol Bay region,” shares Laura Aspelund, a second-year medical student with Alaska WWAMI. “My first clinical job was as a medical assistant at the Cama’i Community Health Clinic in Naknek, which directly shaped my path in medicine. The skills and relationships I developed there […]
Across the five-state WWAMI region, many medical students bring to their training not only academic excellence but also years of service in the US Armed Forces. This Veterans Day, UWSOM recognizes and celebrates some of these remarkable individuals whose dedication to service continues in the form of compassionate, community-focused care. Brandi Carreau | Wyoming WWAMI […]
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Mick Edwards is a proud member of the Upper Skagit Tribe, based in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Now a medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s WWAMI program, Mick is pursuing a path in medicine shaped by a deep commitment to community, culture, and mental health equity. “I […]
