WWAMI Stories and Student Features

Alaska’s next generation of physicians recently took an important step on their medical journeys. On September 12, 2025, Alaska WWAMI celebrated its annual White Coat Ceremony, honoring first-year medical students as they officially enter the medical profession. Family, friends, faculty, and mentors gathered to recognize the hard work and commitment that led each student to […]

Dr. Kimiko “Koko” Bravo Returns to Juneau as a Psychiatrist and WWAMI Preceptor For Dr. Kimiko “Koko” Bravo, coming home to Juneau, Alaska, isn’t just about practicing medicine — it’s about giving back to the community that shaped her. A proud Alaska WWAMI graduate, Dr. Bravo has returned to her hometown as a psychiatrist with […]

Dr. Alexander von Hafften Champions Education and Training across Alaska Alaska’s mental health challenges are among the most pressing in the nation — and so is the shortage of psychiatrists to address them. Through education and training, Alaska WWAMI is working to strengthen the state’s psychiatric workforce and expand access to care. “Alaska’s need for […]

Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work still ahead in the fight against one of the world’s most common cancers. In Alaska, two University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) researchers and WWAMI faculty members, Doctors Max Kullberg and Holly Martinson, are leading that fight through cutting-edge […]

Guiding the Next Generation of Surgeons in Idaho At Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, Dr. Sheev Dattani combines surgical precision with a genuine passion for mentorship. A board-certified minimally invasive and robotic colorectal surgeon, he leads one of the region’s highest-volume robotic surgery programs and serves as site director for surgical education. […]

Medical student Riley Hayes follows his mother’s path to medicine  Family, faculty, and friends gathered last month in Moscow, Idaho, to celebrate Idaho WWAMI’s entering class of 2025 as they received their white coats, an enduring symbol of compassion, trust, and service in medicine. For first-year Idaho WWAMI medical student Riley Hayes, the moment carried […]

When Dr. Casey Glenn set out to become a physician, his goal was always to return to Idaho. Now, as an emergency medicine physician at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, he’s doing exactly that, caring for the communities that helped shape him. “While completing my medical education, it became increasingly apparent to me that Idaho […]

Last month, ten Idaho WWAMI students stepped into simulated high-stakes medical scenarios that tested their skills, sharpened their instincts, and readied them for the challenging realities of residency. Open to all fourth-year students training in Boise, the sessions offer a concentrated, real-world experience in lifesaving care through Idaho WWAMI’s Critical Care Cardiac Boot Camp. Students […]

From July 29 through August 1, 2025, Wyoming WWAMI brought together staff, faculty, block leads, mentors, and strategic partners for a multi-day planning retreat. The sessions focused on shaping the program’s future and ensuring its continued success in serving students, faculty, and communities across the state. Next steps for the Strategic Plan include forming working […]

Wyoming WWAMI students recently joined the Wyoming Hospital Association (WHA) Awards Dinner to engage in meaningful discussions with hospital leadership teams about workforce needs in Wyoming and to explore opportunities to return to Wyoming for medical practice after completing their medical training. The WHA Annual Meeting in Laramie was an excellent opportunity for WWAMI students […]