UW WWAMI Program Welcomes Students During 30th Stethoscope Ceremony
Published October 16, 2026
The WWAMI Medical Education Program at the University of Wyoming recently welcomed its 30th entering class at its annual stethoscope ceremony. At the ceremony, 20 new students from around Wyoming were presented their stethoscopes and white coats. From left are: front row, Alhena Islam, Olivia Devine, Kinley Bollinger and Robyn Horath; second row, Zoe Miller, Alexis Richardson and Katelin Rogaczewski; third row, Lachlan Johnson, Porter Laing, Teancum Whiting, Isabel Richardson and Cole Nelson; fourth row, Madeline Bershinsky, Madyson Edeen and Sydney Polson; fifth row (top), Jarom Davidson, Theodore Rittle, Braden Lougee and Bradshaw Haack. (Brian Harrington Photo)
The WWAMI Medical Education Program at the University of Wyoming recently welcomed its 30th entering class at its annual stethoscope ceremony, marking a significant anniversary in the partnership between UW and the University of Washington.
The stethoscope ceremony marks the matriculation of 20 new students into WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) at UW. Ultimately, the students will earn their medical doctorate through the University of Washington School of Medicine. The cohort members began their studies in July and will incorporate clinical skills into their curriculum alongside classroom learning.
The event, which took place in September, was sponsored and hosted by Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, with local physicians and members of the hospital administration in attendance. The students’ coats were presented by their mentors -- local Wyoming doctors who are paired with students throughout their medical school education.
WWAMI alumni Dr. Perry Smith (entered 2019) presented stethoscopes provided by the University of Washington School of Medicine Alumni Association, while Dr. Ketura Talbot (entered 2006) handed them each a diagnostic kit donated by Ivinson Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Julie Carlson and Dr. Dan Radosevich, WWAMI clinical faculty members and mentors, spoke to the medical students during the ceremony, highlighting the symbolism of the stethoscope and white coat students will use during their clinical education and future careers listening to patients. Students also heard from Dr. Todd Guth, director of the WWAMI program at UW, and College of Health Sciences Dean Patrick Hardigan.
“This ceremony is a celebration of the path ahead in medical school as the students embark upon their clinical skills training and a recognition of the values -- compassion, professionalism and empathy -- that will guide them forward in their studies and their future careers,” Guth says.
Guth also emphasizes the significance of this being the 30th class of students to enter the program, with further events planned to celebrate the official 30th anniversary of the program in 2027.
“For nearly three decades, it has been our privilege to deliver on Wyoming WWAMI’s vital mission: training future physicians through a high-quality, affordable medical education program right here in the state of Wyoming,” Guth says. “Our enduring success belongs entirely to the collective commitment of our dedicated faculty and staff who work to provide a world-class educational experience in Wyoming; of our students who act as compelling ambassadors for our program through their diligence toward their studies; and of our graduates and alumni who represent the true pride of our program through their impact on the health of the communities of Wyoming and beyond.”
“Welcoming the 30th entering class is a remarkable milestone for the Wyoming WWAMI partnership,” Hardigan says. “These students begin their medical education here in Wyoming, supported by dedicated faculty, physician mentors and communities that value their future contributions. We are proud to help prepare them to care for patients across our state.”
The new medical students, listed by hometown and name, are:
Burlington -- Jarom Davidson.
Casper -- Madyson Edeen and Braden Lougee.
Cheyenne -- Olivia Devine.
Cody -- Porter Laing.
Evanston -- Bradshaw Haack.
Jackson -- Alexis Richardson.
Lander -- Zoe Miller, Sydney Polson and Teancum Whiting.
Laramie -- Madeline Bershinsky, Alhena Islam, Isabel Richardson and Theodore Rittle.
Pavillion -- Cole Nelson.
Powell -- Kinley Bollinger.
Sheridan -- Katelin Rogaczewski.
Star Valley -- Lachlan Johnson and Gavin Speakman.
Worland -- Robyn Horath.
To read the student profiles of the 30th entering class, visit www.uwyo.edu/wwami/directory/students/2026/index.html.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.