Idaho WWAMI student studying in Rathdrum

Vanessa Gunter, an Idaho student participating in the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho program, is living, working and learning in Rathdrum until Aug. 15 as part of the University of Washington School of Medicine’s four-week Rural Underserved Opportunities Program.

Dr. Jeremy Morse at Lakeland Immediate Care volunteered to be Gunter’s clinical instructor, the University of Washington School of Medicine's WWAMI program said in a Thursday news release.

While growing up, Gunter’s younger brother was only 5 when he was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma — a benign brain tumor that forms near the base of the brain. 

"She helped take care of him and managed his health care, which gave her a firsthand look at the impact medicine can have on a person’s life," the release said. "His resilience and strength inspired her to pursue a career in medicine."

Each summer, RUOP places students between their first and second years of medical school into primary care clinics in underserved towns and small cities across Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho for four-week immersion experiences. 

Each year, more than half of the Idaho WWAMI class participates in RUOP rotations. This summer, 21 students are visiting 17 communities in Idaho. This is notable because evidence suggests that programs like RUOP influence students toward careers in primary care, the release said.