Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP)

11/20/2025

🌾 On , we’re thrilled to celebrate RPAP Associate Director, Ray Christensen, MD, winner of the Minnesota Department of Health’s 2025 Lifetime Commitment to Rural Health Education Award!

Dr. Christensen has spent his career championing opportunities for students to train and serve in rural communities, leading to strengthen rural healthcare. Congratulations, Dr. Christensen!

More details here:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2025/rural111725.html

11/06/2025

We’re proud to honor our 2025 Preceptor Achievement Award recipients! 🎉

Dr. Maggie Neudecker (RPAP) – Gateway Family Health Clinic, Moose Lake, MN

Dr. Javad Keyhani (MetroPAP) – Smileys Clinic University Family Physicians, Minneapolis, MN

Both were nominated by their students for their exceptional teaching, mentorship, and commitment to patient care. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Neudecker and Dr. Keyhani.

10/21/2025

Congratulations to RPAP faculty member, Dr. Keith Stelter, recipient of the Minnesota Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contributions to medicine and years of dedicated service to the association. We’re thrilled to hear of the deserved recognition he received at this year’s Empowering Physicians event!

Minnesota Medical Association

10/17/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome our incoming RPAP and MetroPAP students for 2026-2027 from both the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses! We’re looking forward to connecting as a full group soon. Congratulations to our incoming students.

08/22/2025

Following our program orientation, the 2025-2026 RPAP and MetroPAP class started at their sites this month. We are wishing our students a great start to their RPAP and MetroPAP experience!

07/22/2025

Before we welcome in our new class next week, we’d like to recognize and celebrate our 2024-2025 cohort! In June, we celebrated the culmination of another successful year with our Community Health Poster Session, where our dedicated students showcased their impactful projects. We're incredibly proud of their hard work, growth, and meaningful contributions to their sites and patients.

04/30/2025

Congratulations to two of our exceptional RPAP sites, Winona Health and Bigfork Medical Clinic Scenic Rivers Health Services/Bigfork Valley Hospital, on being named a 2024 Clinical Training Site of Excellence by the University of Minnesota Office of Academic Clinical Affairs! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to providing high-quality clinical training for our students.

04/07/2025

From their hometowns to residency, RPAP Alumni, Austen Ott and Barrett Bukowiec, along with MetroPAP Alumni, Madeleine LaFond, are rooted in rural. 🌾They are dedicated to caring for the people and places that raised them, ensuring rural communities are lifted up.

Rooted in rural! 🌾 Medical students Austen Ott, Barrett Bukowiec, & Madeleine LaFond are bringing the voices, stories, and needs of the rural communities that shaped them into residency. Read more: bit.ly/4i5SY7V.

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03/31/2025

Congratulations to Michael, Barrett, and all of our RPAP/MetroPAP alumni on their match! Your hard work and dedication has paid off.

02/20/2025

Last week, Dean Tolar and Dr. Kirby Clark had the privilege of visiting Scenic Rivers Health Services in Bigfork. As part of our Specialty Faculty Visits, Dr. Tolar presented to a group of RPAP students, followed by a tour. The visit was a great opportunity to connect with the physicians and leaders at Scenic Rivers and witness firsthand the incredible work they’re doing to serve their community and support our students!

02/06/2025

RPAP faculty member, Dr. Keith Stelter, connected with the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians about the ongoing rural health care crisis and how family physicians can help address the challenges. Read more below or click here: https://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=839126&p=16&view=issueViewer&fbclid=IwY2xjawIRw-pleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaLvs0nJ__-sk4V0eQGnMJMq7n0oZ8-O5gvyyaJ5Fy7h0Z6_UQOlP4p8fg_aem_A3aVnGGMaD9IZzQTiisxvw

01/23/2025

Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Dr. Mark Versich. We share our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Versich for his dedication to students and contributions to RPAP and our rural programs, serving as a preceptor over the last 20 years. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.