Top Tier Teaching At FMDH

Would you rather be told or shown how to do something? Stationary in a classroom or learning side by side with a professional? For Montanan medical students Chloe Koessl, Aubrey Kessel and Courtney Hallock they’d easily choose the hands-on learning experience. Each medical student is a part of a program called “WWAMI.” WWAMI is the University of Washington School of Medicine’s one-of-a-kind, multi-state medical education program. The acronym, WWAMI, stands for the states served by the UW School of Medicine: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. UW medical students have access to a variety of settings for clinical training: from a busy Level 1 trauma center in Seattle, Wash., to amazing rural teaching sites like Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital. Community-based clinical faculty, like Dr. Kevin Ross, MD, volunteer their time to educate the WWAMI medical students. Within the WWAMI program there is a four-year program called “TRUST” (Targeted Rural UnderServed Track). All three of FMDH’s phenomenal students are a part of TRUST. If you’re reading this article, chances are you benefit from rural medicine. If you appreciate having local medical care, then WWAMI is a friend of yours. A primary goal of WWAMI is to increase the number of primary care physicians in rural communities, especially in underserved areas.

When Aubrey Kessel (raised in Sidney, Mont.) was asked, “What would you want people to know about WWAMI and your program?” she happily shared, “It’s really unique for TRUST that we’re in smaller communities getting to learn directly from a doctor.” she stated. “It’s really important knowing how to do more with less (in a rural community)” and that’s something she’s been able to learn in our rural community. She feels, “anyone who loves rural communities and really wants to be integrated into the community” would be a good candidate for the program she’s in. “Everyone is so nice and welcoming at FMDH. Rural medicine is really unique since you can see your patients everywhere and not just in the clinic.” An example of one of those places, in Glasgow, is our beloved Eugene’s Pizza. Since she gets to live in Glasgow during the duration of her on site medical training, she has enjoyed getting to dine there. Eugene’s provides good memories for her as she was a traveling athlete from Sidney and would love the opportunity to eat at Eugene’s with her team.

Glasgow is fortunate to welcome enthusiastic medical students to our community. Courtney Hallock (born and raised in Laurel, Mont.) is a first year medical student that got to spend her “First Summer Experience” at FMDH and will get to return later this year. She says, “I love this state, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to practice medicine here.” Her Primary Preceptor is Anne Millard, MD in the FMDH Glasgow Clinic. Preceptors are experienced licensed clinicians who act as teachers and coaches who supervise nursing students during their clinical rotations. Their role is to help students translate theoretical learning to real-world clinical practice. Staff like Dr. Anne Millard add tremendously to the top-tier teaching at FMDH.

So, northeast Montana, are you proud to be a part of a community that warmly opens its doors to medical students? Are you thankful for programs like WWAMI that seek to provide a continuous connection between rural communities, medical education, and health professionals? I know I am. With FMDH being a University of Washington School of Medicine teaching site, our community is being given qualified students to help meet the workforce needs in our region.

That leads me to introduce you to our third and final WWAMI medical student who studied pre-med at Montana State University and was thrilled to be accepted into medical school through the WWAMI program. This passionate student has always been with us, Chloe Koessl, a third-year medical student, who grew up in Nashua.

At the age of 15, Koessl counted down the days until she turned 16 like most teenagers. However, in 2014, the significance of turning 16 had nothing to do with driving and everything to do with getting to sign up to be a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) at FMDH. Later, she’d count down the days to turning 18. Once more, the significance of this milestone was medically minded because it meant she could test to be an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). In 2016, she was working full time as a CNA and an EMT at FMDH. She would tell you she’s always known she wanted to be a physician. However, her passion for rural medicine was fueled by a frightful event. When she was 16, she was in a near fatal car accident. The local emergency crew got her out of the car and onto a plane. Dr. Kevin Ross, MD was one of many who got to care for her after her accident. “He literally saved my life and now we get to work together to improve patients’ health,” reflected Koessl, as she knows first-hand from her accident how vital rural and emergency medicine are. That’s a part of why applying to WWAMI was a no brainer as both her and the program share the same values and mission of serving rural communities.

WWAMI has been so valuable for all three students since the faculty to student ratio is “incredible,” said Koessl. “The ratio allows for a lot of one-on-one time with incredible physicians. It’s valuable how early you’re integrated into patient care.” Through Montana WWAMI, medical dreams can become a reality. Each of the FMDH WWAMI students are passionate about rural healthcare and their healthcare journeys have been impacted by our community. Kessel says, “I love that Glasgow has so many specialists in our rural community. They (FMDH) really have demonstrated how a lot of different professions in healthcare can work well together and can always have quality patient care as their focus. It’s been really great to see.” Lastly, when Koessl was asked “how has FMDH impacted your healthcare journey” she replied, “Hugely. The support I’ve received from there is mind blowing. As a 16-year-old CNA (Dr.) Ross would encourage me to come help remove patient stitches and even come watch a delivery. Anything cool he’d grab me off the floor to come see. He’s a really good teacher.”

With all of that said, I’ve loved getting to see a full circle moment with Dr. Kevin Ross, MD and medical student Chloe Koessl. If you got to sit across from Koessl and interview her, you’d see her lit up face and passion for people which was nothing less than inspiring. I’ve enjoyed learning about all the passion and educational opportunities our local medical students have. There are many paths in the world of healthcare, and I hope you’ve been inspired seeing the efforts and bridges built by our community, Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, the University of Washington School of Medicine, WWAMI, and the devoted medical students who come to do hands on learning. Thanks for joining us, Courtney, Aubrey, and Chloe! You’re always welcomed in the “middle of nowhere”!