WWAMI Stories and Student Features

For Wesley Simko, the path to medicine began close to home, watching his father care for patients as an emergency room nurse in a critical access hospital. His RUOP experience in Hailey gave him another opportunity to see the difference a physician can make in a rural community. An Idaho WWAMI student, Wesley completed his […]

For Idaho WWAMI student Natalie Warr of Boise, the desire to become a physician began early—shaped by watching people she loved struggle to access health care and trust the system. Her RUOP rotation gave her the opportunity to turn that early calling into hands-on experience serving a rural Idaho community. Natalie completed her four-week Rural […]

For Karen Sanchez-Reyes, rural medicine is more than a career path—it reflects the community that first inspired her to become a physician. Karen completed her four-week Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) rotation at Valor Health in Emmett from June 29 to July 24, 2026 under the mentorship of  preceptor Madison Beatty, MD. The elective gives […]

For Sabrina Allison, caring for others has always been rooted in community. Her RUOP rotation in Orofino offered a chance to build on that commitment while experiencing rural medicine firsthand. Sabrina completed her four-week Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) rotation at Clearwater Valley Health from June 29 to July 24, 2026 under the mentorship of  […]

For Landon Butler, the journey to medicine has included soccer fields, construction sites and a few unexpected turns—but his RUOP rotation brought him exactly where he wanted to be: learning medicine in a rural Idaho community. An Idaho WWAMI student, Landon completed his four-week Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) rotation at St. Mary’s Health in […]

For Colton Campbell, the path to medicine has taken him from finance and real estate to clinical care, international service and recently, rural Idaho where he spent four weeks discovering what it means to care for patients in a close-knit community. An Idaho WWAMI student from Rigby, Colton completed his Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) […]

For Idaho WWAMI student Hope McWilliams, her RUOP rotation in Smelterville was more than an introduction to rural medicine—it was a chance to return to the Northern Idaho community she calls home. Hope spent four weeks at SMC Family Medicine from July 13 to Aug. 7, 2026 under the mentorship of  preceptor Jessica Harnisch-Boyd, DO, […]

For Idaho WWAMI student Grace Benjamin of Boise, four weeks in Preston offered a firsthand look at the close connections and continuity of care that make rural medicine unique. Grace spent June 29 through July 24, 2026 at Franklin County Medical Clinic under the mentorship of  preceptor Lance Hansen, MD, as part of the Rural […]

From June 29 through July 24, Idaho WWAMI  student Aiden Niblett immersed himself in rural medicine during his Rural Underserved  Opportunities Program (RUOP) rotation at Two Rivers Medical Clinic in Weiser. Under the mentorship of  preceptor Lore Wootton, MD, Aiden learned how rural clinicians address the unique healthcare needs of their communities. As a fluent […]

Three Idaho physicians have earned 2026 Idaho WWAMI Excellence in Teaching Awards after being nominated by the people who know their impact best: University of Washington School of Medicine students. The annual awards recognize physician preceptors who go above and beyond to educate and mentor medical students during their clinical training across Idaho. This year’s […]