WWAMI Stories and Student Features

Growing up in Anchorage, Alaska WWAMI student Martin Juarez-Alvarado saw firsthand how the cost of care can prevent families from getting the medical attention they need. “Even when care was sought, treatment often had to be delayed or abandoned entirely because they couldn’t afford to pay for services,” he said. Those early experiences sparked a […]

In November, we will be honoring the retirement of our long-serving Montana WWAMI TRUST* Director, Lisa Benzel, after years of dedicated service. Lisa was hired for this newly created position in November 2013 and is responsible for growing and shaping TRUST into what it is today. As director and the face of TRUST for Montana, […]

In the quiet moments between exams and evening routines, Alaska WWAMI student Manuel De La Garza is embracing what it means to be both a future surgeon and a present, devoted father.  Originally from Denton, Texas, and now living in Anchorage, Alaska, he’s navigating the intense demands of medical school while raising a young family—a […]

In a quiet Montana valley surrounded by mountains and memories, medical student Willis Pullman is writing his own chapter of fatherhood, purpose and perseverance. Having recently passed his Step 2 exam, Pullman is a rising fourth-year medical student, celebrating not just academic progress, but a growing family and a life built with intention.  Born in […]

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 […]