Foundations Curriculum
The Foundations Curriculum for the Wyoming WWAMI Medical Education Program, delivered primarily at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, is a rigorous and integrated 18-month pre-clinical phase designed to build a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and clinical skills. This curriculum prepares students for their transition into clinical clerkships and is aligned with the University of Washington School of Medicine’s standards to ensure consistency across the WWAMI region.
Highlights of the Foundations Curriculum in Laramie
- Integrated Basic Science Blocks
The curriculum is organized into interdisciplinary blocks that cover essential biomedical topics such as Infections & Immunity, Cancer, Hormones & Blood, and other core systems and concepts. These blocks combine basic, clinical, and social sciences using active learning methods including case-based discussions, laboratories, and interactive sessions. Classes typically run four hours per day in the afternoons, with exams scheduled regularly to assess mastery of content. - Small Class Size and Personalized Learning Environment
With approximately 20 Wyoming students admitted each year, the Foundations curriculum benefits from a low student-to-faculty ratio (about 20:1), fostering personalized instruction and close mentorship. This setting supports active participation and individualized feedback, enhancing student learning and professional growth. - Preparation for USMLE Step 1
The curriculum includes dedicated support and coursework to prepare students for the USMLE Step 1 exam, which they take after completing the Foundations Phase. The extended pre-clinical training in Laramie allows Wyoming WWAMI students to complete the entire Foundations curriculum locally, including focused preparation for this critical licensing exam. - Active Learning and Assessment
The Foundations curriculum emphasizes active learning strategies such as problem-solving and case discussions. Exams are administered in person with identical questions and format across all WWAMI sites, ensuring equitable academic standards. Students are expected to engage fully with required materials and participate in all scheduled learning activities.
Patient Care and Explore & Focus Phases
Patient Care Phase
The Patient Care Phase for the Wyoming WWAMI Medical Education Program is a 12-month clinical training period where students transition from foundational science to hands-on patient care. During this phase, students complete a series of required core clinical clerkships across various specialties, gaining broad, practical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings within Wyoming and the broader WWAMI region.
Core Clerkships and Clinical Experience
Students must complete six core clerkships in the Patient Care Phase:
- Family Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Surgery
These clerkships are designed to immerse students in active patient care roles, emphasizing progressive responsibility and independent learning. Students work closely with healthcare teams, participating in diagnosis, management, and follow-up of diverse patient populations. The curriculum encourages active engagement in clinical reasoning, medical decision-making, and professional development as patient care providers and team members.
WRITE (WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience)
A distinctive feature of the Wyoming WWAMI Patient Care Phase is the WRITE clerkship, a longitudinal, integrated clinical experience embedded within the Patient Care Phase. WRITE places students in rural and underserved community clinics for approximately 16 to 20 weeks, where they provide continuity care for a panel of patients while fulfilling requirements across multiple clinical disciplines. This immersive experience allows students to function as active members of the healthcare team, fostering deep understanding of rural health challenges and continuity of care.
All students participating in the TRUST (Targeted Rural Underserved Track) program engage in WRITE, valuing the one-on-one teaching and hands-on clinical exposure it offers. WRITE sites in Wyoming include communities such as Douglas, Thermopolis, and Powell, providing diverse rural clinical environments.
Clinical Sites and Regional Training
Wyoming WWAMI students complete clinical rotations at a variety of hospitals and clinics throughout Wyoming and the WWAMI region. Wyoming clinical sites include family medicine clinics in Buffalo, Torrington, Cheyenne, and Douglas; internal medicine in Jackson, Douglas, and Sheridan; obstetrics/gynecology in Cheyenne, Sheridan, and Powell; pediatrics in Cheyenne, Jackson, Sheridan, and Gillette; psychiatry in Cheyenne and Casper; and surgery in Casper and Gillette.
Students are also required to complete a minimum of 24 weeks of clerkships outside the Seattle area, ensuring exposure to rural and community-based medicine, with at least 8 weeks of clinical training in Seattle or other tertiary care centers for specialized experiences.
Professional Development and Assessment
Throughout the Patient Care Phase, students participate in clinical conferences, case discussions, and independent study to deepen their understanding of diseases and patient management. They receive formative feedback and mentoring to develop clinical skills, professionalism, and teamwork.
Students also prepare for and take the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills examinations during or following this phase, which assess their readiness for residency training.
Explore and Focus Phase
The Explore and Focus Phase is the final stage of the Wyoming WWAMI Medical Education Program curriculum, spanning approximately 15 months. This phase is designed to allow students to deepen their clinical expertise, explore potential specialty careers, and prepare for residency training through a combination of required clerkships, electives, and professional development activities.
Key Components of the Explore and Focus Phase:
- Required Clinical Clerkships:
- Students complete several advanced clinical rotations to solidify their clinical skills and broaden their medical knowledge. These include:
- Advanced Inpatient Care Clerkship (4 weeks)
- Advanced Outpatient Care Clerkship (4 weeks)
- Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
- Neurology or Neurosurgery (4 weeks)
Elective Clerkships:
The phase includes approximately 20 weeks of elective clinical rotations, allowing students to explore a wide range of medical specialties and subspecialties. This flexibility helps students tailor their experiences to align with their career interests and residency goals.
Transition to Residency:
A dedicated two-week course prepares students for the transition from medical school to residency, focusing on practical skills, professionalism, and the responsibilities of a resident physician.
The Explore and Focus Phase emphasizes:
Career Exploration: Students have the opportunity to investigate various specialties through electives and required rotations, helping them make informed decisions about their future medical careers.
Advanced Clinical Skill Development: Through inpatient and outpatient clerkships, students refine their diagnostic reasoning, patient management, and procedural skills in diverse clinical settings.
Residency Preparation: The phase includes activities and coursework designed to prepare students for residency applications, interviews, and the demands of postgraduate training.
Research and Scholarly Activity: Students may also engage in research projects or scholarly work during this phase, further enhancing their academic portfolio.
Integration with Wyoming WWAMI Program: While the Explore and Focus Phase is standardized across the WWAMI region and the University of Washington School of Medicine, Wyoming WWAMI students typically complete this phase at clinical sites within Wyoming or other WWAMI states, gaining exposure to rural and underserved healthcare environments. This regional training supports the program’s mission to prepare physicians who are well-equipped to serve Wyoming’s unique healthcare needs.
