During the summer, sixteen second-year Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine students are getting an up-close look at the work and lives of family physicians in communities throughout the state. These students are participants in the Rural Family Medicine Experience elective, which is designed to give interested students a taste of what practicing family medicine is all about. For one week the students will live in the homes of community physicians and fully participate in the day-to-day realities of the clinical as well as the personal side of a family physician's life. Rural Family Medicine Experience physicians act as early mentors and role models for students, and friendships are often formed that last beyond graduation from medical school.

 "The Rural Family Medicine Experience is designed to stimulate student interest in and understanding of family medicine as a specialty," said Kathy Chappelle, director of the program. "At the same time, we also hope to help attract future physicians to rural communities throughout the state." These learning opportunites with family physicians allow students raised in urban areas an early opportunity to experience firsthand the lifestyle and rewards of being a small-town or frontier physician.


 Rural Family Medicine Experience students:

 Bend: July 31 to Aug 5; Stephen Knapp, M.D., 726 Wall St., Bend, 541 382-4721; student, Seth Williams.

 Klamath Falls: Aug. 13-18; Jerri Britsch, M.D., Klamath Medical Clinic, 1905 Main St., Klamath Falls, 541 882-4691; student, Jamie Keller.

 Klamath Falls: Aug. 14-18; Joyce Hollander-Rodriguez, M.D., Cascades East, 2801 Daggett Ave., Klamath Falls; 541 885-4606; student, Archana Patel.

 Lincoln City: Aug. 7-11; Dean Orton, M.D., 3043 N.E. 28th St., Lincoln City, 541 996-7188; student, Jill Rasmussen.

 Medford: Aug. 5-11; Jennifer Thoene, M.D. and Brent Burket, M.D., La Clinica del Valle, 3617 S. Pacific Hwy., Medford, 541 535-6239; student, Amara Sheppard.

 Stayton: Aug. 14-18; Paul Neumann, M.D., Stayton Memorial Hospital, 1401 N. Tenth St., Stayton, 503 769-6386; student, Rudy Kimmerling.