Medical Student Opportunities

Marshfield Clinic Taking a Lead Role to Host the First Students of Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM)

Connecting Your Future with Your Passion

Marshfield Clinic is proud to pioneer the future of rural medicine as the first host site for the new Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM). Starting in the fall of 2009, third and fourth year medical students from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health will be part of a “Rural Pipeline” that addresses the physician shortage in Wisconsin’s diverse rural communities.

More than 33 percent of Wisconsin citizens live in rural areas but only 11 percent of physicians have rural practices. Furthermore, 83 percent of Wisconsin counties are designated totally or partially medically underserved and 77 percent of these underserved counties are rural.

WARM looks to expand the size of medical school and recruit students with rural backgrounds and career goals, develop a rural medical education track, and eventually expand rural residency training opportunities in the State. This strategic plan will be centered around the following measures:

• A four-year curriculum with a rural practice emphasis
• Clinical training provided by faculty located within rural medical centers
• Diverse rural clinical experiences during medical school in many specialties

In partnership with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Marshfield Clinic at its Rice Lake Center is taking a lead role as the first site (to be followed by Gundersen Lutheran and Aurora Health Care System). By 2017 up to 50 WARM alumni can be practicing in Rural Wisconsin.

In addition to the benefits of working in Marshfield Clinic facilities in the northwest region (Rice Lake, Ladysmith, Chetek), this ‘school within a school’ training program affords students access to an outstanding medical library, a variety of specialty rotations, and the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods and connect back to the Clinic campus and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Visit these sites to learn more about this special part of rural America:
http://www.rice-lake.com/
http://chamber.spooneronline.com/
http://www.chetekwi.net/
http://www.ruskcounty.org/visitorsinfo/specrec.asp?Cat=27
http://www.wisconline.com/counties/barron/index.html

Do not assume an educational request has been approved until you have received confirmation from Marshfield Clinic Division of Education. If you have questions, please contact a Division of Education coordinator.