Preceptorship History

The UW School of Medicine and Public Health preceptorship experience was developed while Charles Bardeen, MD was dean of the medical school. It was the first program in the United States developed in response to the national recognition that medical students need to learn to apply the science of medicine in community settings.

Beginning in 1926, fourth-year medical students would spend one quarter of their fourth year working in one of several private practices scattered across the state. The preceptorship rapidly grew into one of the most popular aspects of medical education at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. By the time Bardeen died in 1935, imitations had spawned across the nation, and the preceptor concept became an important national innovation.

This program is seen by many as the capstone experience of medical education at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. With the opportunities available to fulfill this requirement, it can also serve as a springboard into residency education.

UW School of Medicine and Public Health preceptors circa 1954.
First row, left to right: PT Bland, MD, Westby-Viroqua; Leslie Kindschi, MD,
Monroe; Matt McGarty, MD, La Crosse, St. Francis; Warner Bump, MD,
Rhinelander; Walter Becker, MD, Wausau, St. Mary's. Second row,
left to right: George Magnin, MD, Marshfield; Merrill Jones, MD,
Wausau, Memorial; Whelan Bruce, MD, Ladysmith; Peter Midelfort, MD,
Eau Claire.