As Montana WWAMI student Ben Held navigates his third year of medical school, he is balancing two significant roles at once: training to become a physician and learning what it means to be a father Held’s path to medicine began with a desire to address one of Montana’s most persistent public health challenges. “My initial […]
For Montana WWAMI students, one of the most memorable classroom experiences takes place far from lecture halls and laboratories. Each year, Dr. Colette Kirchhoff welcomes students to Pony Creek Homestead for an Ethnobotany Field Day, an immersive experience that explores the connections between plants, health and the environment. “Plants regenerate our soils, provide oxygen and […]
Across Montana’s rural and tribal communities, Hopa Mountain works at the intersection of education, ecological health and economic development, supporting long-term wellbeing through community partnerships. Within that broader mission, the Hopa Mountain Medical Mentorship Service Learning Project at Montana WWAMI focuses on strengthening pathways into medicine. The program connects aspiring medical school applicants with current […]
When leaders at Full Circle Health began exploring the idea of a pediatrics residency program in Boise, they weren’t just thinking about training physicians. They were thinking about access. For decades, Idaho has faced a severe shortage of pediatricians. In 2019, a feasibility study led by Dr. Perry Brown revealed just how stark the gap […]
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: […]
In Bozeman, Montana, a growing network of medical students, healthcare professionals, and community advocates is coming together to make healthcare more accessible for Spanish-speaking and immigrant families through Proyecto SALUD (”Project Health”)—a series of seasonal health fairs that provide free screenings, resources, and connection to longer-term care. For second-year Montana WWAMI student Barla Beaudoin, the […]
