WWAMI Stories and Student Features

The Montana Medical Association recently celebrated four Montana WWAMI students at its 147th annual meeting and dinner in Helena, awarding each a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of their dedication to medicine and service to communities across the state. The 2025 recipients were first-year student Geri Cutler of Helena, second-year medical student Barla Beaudoin of Red […]

Thirty first-year Montana WWAMI students marked an important milestone in their medical journey at the White Coat Ceremony in Bozeman on September 12, 2025. As each student donned the white coat for the first time, they embraced the responsibilities, standards, and commitments expected of a physician. For Matt and Annie Waldum, the ceremony was especially […]

In the heart of Anchorage, Alaska, Amanda Beery, MD, is not only providing care for women of all ages; she’s also shaping the next generation of physicians. A full-time OB/GYN and managing partner at Alaska Women’s Health, she is equally proud to call herself an Alaska WWAMI alum and medical educator. Dr. Beery’s earliest inspiration […]

Alaska WWAMI is excited to welcome Nicholas Phelps, MD, as our new Assistant Dean for the Foundations Phase. He began September 1, 2025, after a nationwide search and will transition to being fully on-site at the University of Alaska Anchorage in October. Dr. Phelps brings a wealth of experience from Dell Medical School at the […]

After six years of dedicated leadership as the Assistant Dean for the Foundations Phase at Alaska WWAMI, Kathy Young, MD., is stepping away from her administrative role to return to her first love: teaching. Dr. Young has been a cornerstone of the Alaska WWAMI program, guiding students through the critical early phases of their medical […]

Trading classrooms for the Idaho outdoors, Alaska WWAMI students Abigail Crawford and Mariah Johnson joined peers from across the region in Coeur d’Alene for an unforgettable weekend of leadership, advocacy, and hands-on training. The annual TRUST (Targeted Rural Underserved Track) Leadership Retreat held August 20–22, 2025, at Camp Lutherhaven, challenged scholars to think on their […]

A familiar face has stepped into a new role at Idaho WWAMI. Rayme Geidl, MD, a longtime educator, practicing physician, and proud Idahoan, has been named Interim Regional Dean for the Idaho WWAMI Medical Education Program. Dr. Geidl’s journey is deeply rooted in Idaho. Raised in Troy and a graduate of the University of Idaho, […]

Idaho WWAMI is thrilled to recognize Dr. Suzanna Hubele as a 2025 recipient of the Idaho WWAMI Alumni Award for Excellence in Mentoring, Teaching, Leadership and Patient Care. A University of Idaho graduate and devoted rural physician, Dr. Hubele received the award at Two Rivers Medical Clinic in Weiser on July 31,2025, where Dr. Mary Barinaga, […]

Second-year WWAMI TRUST (Targeted Rural Underserved Track) Scholars from across the WWAMI region spent three days sharpening their leadership and advocacy skills at the annual TRUST Leadership Retreat, held August 20–22, 2025, at Camp Lutherhaven in Coeur d’Alene. A fun, interactive experience for many participants was the Wilderness Medicine session led by Dr. Frank Batcha, […]

Idaho WWAMI is proud to celebrate Dr. Zachary Havlovick, who has been selected as one of six residents in the inaugural class of the Mountain States Institute (MSI) Family Medicine Residency Program based in Nampa. “I matched to one of my top programs and was thrilled,” Dr. Havlovick said. “I never really paid any mind […]