Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP)

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.

01/13/2025

Last week, Dr. Clark presented "Charting Your Course: Navigating Clinical Clerkships to Residency Success" to 90 first-year medical students on the Twin Cities Campus! He shared valuable insights on clinical training options and how they directly impact building a strong residency application and interview. A great session focused on navigating the process of residency and career discernment!

11/26/2024

RPAP Director, Dr. Kirby Clark, sheds light on the critical challenges facing rural healthcare and discusses how we can address these growing healthcare needs. Read more: bit.ly/4eD0jdi

Ahead of National Rural Health Day on November 21, Kirby Clark, MD, with the University of Minnesota Medical School and M Health Fairview, talks about issues facing rural communities, the shortage of rural physicians and how this growing problem can be ...

11/21/2024

Today is ! 🩺 We are grateful for the dedicated healthcare providers serving rural communities in Minnesota and across the nation.

Take a look at the story below highlighting RPAP in Bigfork. They are one of many wonderful sites that are training future rural doctors!

The U of M's Rural Physician Associate Program showcases the benefits of practicing medicine in rural communities.

11/20/2024

Take a moment to read the article below featuring Dr. Kirby Clark, RPAP director. He highlights how exposing students to rural healthcare in our RPAP program increases the likelihood they’ll return to serve these communities.

The Center for Rural Policy and Development published a new report that found rural Minnesota counties have 41% fewer nursing facility beds compared to 2005.

11/13/2024

Exciting news! Last week, we officially kicked off our Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training! This pilot program provides each student with a "Butterfly" hand held ultrasound device, allowing them to practice daily in their community settings.

We’re thrilled to be partnering with Dr. Joe Novik from the Department of Emergency Medicine and a few other POCUS-experienced physicians to provide this incredible learning opportunity. Throughout the year, students will be able to practice ultrasound scanning and receive review and feedback, ensuring continuous growth and hands-on learning. Point of care ultrasound has applications across many different specialties and patients -- including everyday uses in our outpatient primary care clinics.

By performing quick, targeted POCUS scans at community sites, our students are gaining real-time experience and developing skills they can bring to their future residency!

10/30/2024

Check out the feature below on RPAP done by Minnesota Daily, including Austen Ott, RPAP alum.

“After completing the RPAP program, I am very confident that I want to do family medicine,” Ott said. “I know that there’s kind of no other specialty that I would feel the happiest in. And I do want to go back to a rural area.”

Read the article here: https://mndaily.com/290617/campus-administration/rural-physician-associate-program-introduces-medical-students-to-rural-health-care/