WWAMI Stories and Student Features

Alaska WWAMI’s Sophie Nethercut is preparing to advance to the next phase of her medical career: residency. Her chosen specialty, psychiatry, can be traced back to her fascination with people and their personal stories. While attending Yale University and gathering oral histories of various individuals,  it suddenly struck her what she wanted to do. “I […]

  For second-year Idaho WWAMI student Kaden Kunz, medical school and fatherhood are not just challenges to juggle—they are complementary parts of a rewarding and fulfilling journey.  “I have two children—2½ years and 5 months old—and I truly wouldn’t want it any other way,” says Kunz. “Medical school is incredibly rewarding—and even more so with a […]

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 […]

Collaborating on cutting-edge strategies to advance clinical instruction is critical to shaping the next generation of Montana WWAMI physicians. Last month, our teaching faculty members from across the Treasure State gathered in Anaconda recently to share innovative ideas on how to be more effective clinical educators. The Montana WWAMI Faculty Development Conference was held April […]

Erica Crittendon was selected to receive a 2025 Excellence in Public Health Award from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Physician Professional Advisory Committee (PPAC). The awards program recognizes medical students across the United States who advance public health and those who exemplify the USPHS Commissioned Corps’ mission to protect, promote, and advance the health […]

Prospective medical students explored their future in medicine during the Second Look Open House at the University of Idaho on April 11, 2025. Their goal was to gain a deeper understanding of what Idaho WWAMI offers.  The applicants toured the campus and facilities and met with faculty, staff and other students to help solidify their […]

Making a meaningful impact on the lives of others is what drives our Idaho WWAMI students. The volunteers of the Snake River Community Clinic have a passion for delivering quality healthcare to underserved populations in Lewis-Clark Valley and outlying areas. For a quarter century, the nonprofit has offered free medical, limited dental and behavioral healthcare […]

 At Watt Dhammacakkaram, a Buddhist temple and cultural center for Seattle’s Cambodian community, this year’s Khmer New Year celebration included something new: free health screenings. The event marked the first time SHIFA (Student Health Initiative for Access), a UW School of Medicine (UWSOM) student-led health outreach group, partnered with the temple to bring care directly […]

Any parent knows how tough it is going to college while raising a child but imagine raising three young kids while going through medical school. Grace Champion, a fourth year Alaska WWAMI medical student, has proven that she’s a champion at accomplishing both goals. Raised in Palmer, and now living in Anchorage, she credits her […]