Read feature stories about students, staff and faculty from across the WWAMI region.
Clinical educators from across the region gathered in Idaho Falls, Idaho (November 15, 2025) for the annual Eastern Idaho Educator Conference, an energizing day dedicated to strengthening teaching skills, building supportive learning environments, and celebrating the growing community of Idaho’s medical educators. Vincent Raikhel, M.D., led an inspiring session on reconnecting with one’s passion for […]
Idaho WWAMI is proud to honor four members of its extended WWAMI-ly who were named to the Idaho Business Review’s Idaho 500. This year’s honorees include longtime Boise VA physician-educator Paula Carvalho, M.D., and North Idaho AHEC Director, Liz Bryant, as well as Idaho WWAMI Advisory Board members Skip Oppenheimer and Brian Whitlock. For Dr. […]
Idaho WWAMI is celebrating Assistant Clinical Dean Mary Barinaga, M.D., named to the Idaho Business Review’s Idaho 500, a statewide honor recognizing visionary leaders shaping Idaho’s future. Dr. Barinaga was selected for her years of service to rural communities, her deep commitment to medical education, and her leadership in strengthening Idaho’s physician workforce pipeline. Her […]
Second-year Montana WWAMI students Mackenzie Bernhardt and Tim Sonnenberg are leading an effort that blends clinical learning with community impact. As co-leads of the Neighborhood Health Initiative (NHI), they oversee twice-monthly foot care clinics in partnership with the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC)’s Homeward Point shelter in Bozeman, bringing essential health services directly to members […]
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Montana WWAMI is honored to feature first-year medical student Brianna Merchant Bull Shows from the the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation. Her path to medicine is deeply rooted in identity, family, and community. Growing up in Pryor, Montana, Brianna saw firsthand the challenges her community faces in accessing healthcare—and the […]
Faculty from across Montana gathered in Bozeman earlier this month for a dynamic Montana WWAMI Faculty Retreat, an energizing day focused on strengthening curriculum, enhancing student support, and expanding rural-training partnerships. The retreat opened with an insightful presentation from Dr. Laura Goodell, Stern Regional Faculty Educator, who walked attendees through the University of Washington School […]
Second-year Montana WWAMI medical students turned research into action this month, sharing forward-thinking ideas to improve health across the state at the annual poster session in Bozeman. The research of 27 students highlighted how tackling real-world questions alongside classroom learning builds critical thinking, creativity, and confidence in the skills they’ll use as future physicians. This […]
On National Rural Health Day (November 20, 2025), we proudly celebrated Dr. Susan Gallo, a full-scope family medicine physician at Billings Clinic Miles City and a longtime Montana WWAMI preceptor. Dr. Gallo’s dedication strengthens rural care across the state while shaping the next generation of physicians. Dr. Gallo practices everything family medicine has to offer: […]
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 […]
