Meet Rural MD Students

Seela, Class of 2027

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Medical interests: Rural Health, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Management

Personal hobbies: I enjoy being active and spending time outdoors. I like playing golf, basketball, tennis, and pickleball, in addition to kayaking and hiking.

Why I chose WARM: I learned about WARM as an undergraduate student and was drawn to the idea of getting hands-on training in a smaller setting, while also still having access to the stellar education and resources that the University of Wisconsin has to offer. In addition, I was intrigued by the opportunity to learn about public health firsthand in a rural setting. I knew that I would want to eventually practice medicine in a smaller community, and WARM felt like the perfect fit.

What I love about WARM: I really enjoy the strong relationships I have built, not just with my classmates in WARM but also with attending physicians on clinical rotations and with community members. Whether seeing clinic patients, rounding in the hospital, or assisting in procedures and surgeries in the OR, I have worked with attendings who have been genuinely invested in my education, pushing me to grow as a medical student and providing me with valuable learning opportunities. I have also gotten a taste for the meaningful, long-term relationships that physicians have the privilege of building in smaller communities. There were a few instances where I assisted in delivering a baby and then saw the baby and parents weeks to months later in clinic. I also built relationships with the broader community while working on my longitudinal community health project. These experiences are making me a better future physician and community leader.

Mitch, Class of 2028

Hometown: Bevent, Wisconsin

Medical interests: I was a paramedic before medical school and was convinced I would be going into emergency medicine. Now after clinical rotations, I am torn between emergency medicine, general surgery (completely unexpected!), and neurology.

Personal hobbies: Most of my free time is spent with my partner Dana along with friends and family. I enjoy hiking, bike riding, disc golf, board games, video games, and playing with our two dogs, Mojo and Zuvi.

Why I chose WARM: As an undergraduate during a pre-medicine interest group meeting, the WARM leadership made me feel like I belonged in rural medicine regardless of whether or not I decided to apply to the program. Everyone I met on the team seemed to support my success and desire to practice in rural Wisconsin. This sense of welcome and community gave me confidence and solidified WARM within the UW School of Medicine and Public Health as my number one choice for medical school.

What I love about WARM: Throughout my medical school journey, WARM has provided unwavering support around every corner. I wanted a program that would allow me to explore different fields in medicine while also ensuring I was prepared for tackling the demands of rural communities. What I got was that and so much more! I now have the opportunity to continue my medical training near or in the communities I once called home. I love that I can still serve the population near and dear to my heart while also progressing in my career. WARM ensures a rigorous education along with the opportunity to train for rural medicine. My WARM classmates provide a close-knit group to lean on during challenging times. I believe there is a unique bond among WARM students. With WARM, I get to train alongside friends, learn from and be inspired by rural doctors, and care for communities I know. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Libby, Class of 2029

Hometown: Benton, Wisconsin

Medical interests: Obstetrics & Gynecology

Personal hobbies: I enjoy gardening during the summer, going to concerts, puzzles (especially to decompress after tests), and reading.

Why I chose WARM: Growing up in a small, rural village, I wanted to provide healthcare to people like my family and friends. I saw the healthcare disparities that are present in communities like my own and wanted to aid in closing this gap, specifically in women’s health. I knew that I’d be provided opportunities to work with patients from rural backgrounds during rotations and receive an education preparing me to be the physician I desire to be.

What I love about WARM: I appreciate learning about rural communities in a way that goes beyond my own experience. We learn about diverse rural populations and their health concerns, as well as persistent barriers to health care and how we as future physicians can learn from and provide support to people. I have also met some great people within the WARM program and have formed connections with those in our small group. Our WARM lunches are always amusing and educational, especially when we’re competing in rural jeopardy (and the food isn’t that bad either). Overall, I am very grateful for my peers, the teaching and the experiences in the WARM program and look forward to the next three years as we flourish into rural physicians.