The Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) is a four-week, elective immersion
experience in community medicine for students between their first and second years
of medical school.
During their 4-week rotation, students live in rural or urban underserved communities
throughout Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI). They work side-by-side
with local physicians providing healthcare to underserverd populations. Administered
by the UW Department of Family Medicine, RUOP is a collaborative effort of the UW
School of Medicine, WWAMI campuses and the Area Health Education Centers.
Provide students with an early exposure to the challenges and rewards of practicing
primary care medicine in a rural or urban underserved setting.
Promote in students a positive attitude toward rural and urban underserved community
medicine.
Provide students with an opportunity to learn how community healthcare systems function.
RUOP sites are located across the state of Wyoming
Tristan Bohlman
Students on their Summer RUOP Experience
Sara Martinez-Garcia
Samantha Britz
Bailey Stuart
Hanna Ahuja
RUOP AWARDS
Dr. Howard Willson Excellence in Primary Care Award for Wyoming
The Howard Willson Excellence in Primary Care Award was created to honor Dr. Howard
Willson, a key supporter of the WWAMI program.
Dr. Willson served as a member of the UWYO Board of Trustees and the WWAMI Advisory
Council.
This award is presented to the top primary care project as voted by the judges.
E-2021 Student Awardee/s
The winner/s receive a cash award and a certificate for their presentation.
Awardee
Project Title
RUOP Research Site
BOHLMAN, TRISTAN
Addressing Community Confidence and Ability in Achieving Hemorrhagic Control Following
Injury in Sundance, WY
Sundance, WY
Scholarship of Discovery-American Collge of Physicians Award
During their 9-week rotation, students performed research in various fields related
to medicine under the direction of an MD or PhD.
These projects ranged from basic animal studies to more clinically-based research.
Students carried out a defined project where they were involved in developing methods,
analyzing results, and formulating conclusions based on their discoveries.
E-2021 Student Awardee/s
The winner/s receive a cash award and a certificate for their presentations.
Awardee
Project Title
RUOP Research Site
ECKHARDT, CARTER
Prevalence of Tracheostomy Placement in Patients with Skeletal Dysplasia
Seattle, WA
Rural/Underserved Opportunities- American Collge of Physicians Award
During their 4-week rotation, students worked side-by-side with a primary care physician
in a rural or urban underserved community.
While at their RUOP sites, students were also expected to complete an abbreviated
local health assessment to identify both community assets and public health issues.
Using current evidence-based literature, students then evaluated intervention strategies
related to one public health issue they identified in their assessment.
E-2021 Student Awardees/s
The winner/s receive a cash award and a certificate for their presentations.
Awardee
Project Title
RUOP Research Site
BRITZ, SAMANTHA
Mood & Food: Increasing Mental Health Outcomes with Nutrition in Star Valley, WY
Star Valley, WY
TAZLE, MARKOVICH
Promoting Healthy Habits to Reduce Childhood Obesity in Thermopolis, WY
Hanna Ahuja