Not all tracks are available at all locations.
The goals of the 3.5-year Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track are to identify and foster student interest in eventual medical practice in rural settings. In addition to the unique educational opportunities, there are significant obligations associated with the track in the first 1.5 years, as well as in the clinical years of training. To be considered for the program, students must demonstrate commitment to rural and re-mote practice and be capable of handling the extra work load required by the track. Admission criteria includes an in-person interview by R&WM students and faculty.
Participants will be given a robust extracurricular education of procedural skills in medicine and surgery that will better prepare them for residency training and practice. Students in the Rural and Wilderness Track will be expected to participate in off-campus activities. Much of the track material will cover life and limb threatening emergencies. During the first 1.5-years of medical education, this training will occur using simulators, cadavers, and shadowing opportunities. During the clinical years, students will train with rural-based medical preceptors in offices, rural critical-access hospitals, or rural health clinics for a minimum of four clinical clerkships.