Montana medical students to present statewide research on Oct. 30

BOZEMAN - Thirty Montana WWAMI medical students will present their research addressing healthcare challenges across Montana and beyond at an open house on Friday, Oct. 30.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center's Entrance 1 lobby. Attendees can RSVP online or by contacting Montana WWAMI at [email protected] or 406-994-4903.

WWAMI, run by the University of Washington School of Medicine, is a cooperative program between Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Students complete the first 18 months of their medical degree programs in their home state before finishing their studies at UW. Montana WWAMI aims to make public medical education accessible to Montana residents and encourage program graduates to practice in underserved areas in Montana and the Northwest.

At the event, Montana WWAMI's second-year students will present their research and community-based initiatives in a poster session format. Topics stretch from one side of the state to the other, from protecting residents' respiratory health from agricultural dust exposure in Sidney to a free, community-based exercise program improving adults' fall recovery and physical function in Sanders County. Students also conducted research in other parts of the U.S. and abroad.

"Montana WWAMI students are conducting research that has the potential to improve lives across our state and throughout the region," said Brant Schumaker, Montana WWAMI director. "Their work demonstrates how medical education, scientific inquiry and community partnership come together to address the healthcare needs of Montana, especially in our rural communities where innovative solutions can make an extraordinary difference."