Montana WWAMI students recently joined peers, faculty and staff from across the WWAMI region for the annual Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST) Retreat at Camp Lutherhaven in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The gathering explored the challenges rural communities face in accessing healthcare and how future physicians can help address gaps in care. Dr. Jay Erickson, Montana […]
For Allie O’Rourke, E26, learning to care for patients has meant learning to listen. A first-year Montana WWAMI student and former nurse, O’Rourke brought seven years of healthcare experience with her when she began medical school. As part of the American Indian Medical Experience (AIME), Montana WWAMI students split into two groups, with one traveling […]
The E2026 Montana WWAMI cohort gathered Sept. 17th at Montana State University for the annual White Coat Ceremony. The milestone marked the beginning of the Foundations Phase of their medical education. The ceremony brought together students, family members, faculty, and supporters to recognize the students’ transition into medical school and the responsibilities that come with […]
Three Montana WWAMI students received $1,000 scholarships from the Montana Medical Association (MMA) Foundation, supporting their medical education and aspirations to serve patients in Montana. Isabelle Erickson, Emily Cleveland and Alex Wickens were selected as this year’s scholarship recipients. The Montana Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships were presented during the MMA’s annual meeting Oct. 2–3, 2026 […]
Montana WWAMI welcomes several new faculty leaders and has expanded the roles of experienced educators, strengthening the program’s commitment to student mentorship, clinical education and professional development. Dr. Brenna Polsinelli, a Montana WWAMI graduate from the E-19 cohort, is serving as the program’s new primary care preceptorship (PCP) director. She completed her family medicine residency […]
Medical educators from Montana WWAMI joined colleagues from around the world in Calgary, Canada, for the Conference on Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships (CLIC). The conference offered an opportunity to exchange ideas about medical education and explore ways to prepare future physicians for rural practice. Among the attendees was Megan Ogle, a third-year Montana WWAMI student and […]
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 […]
