Rural Training Track in Thermopolis, WY

An innovative program located in a truly rural/frontier environment set to immerse and train residents in a full spectrum family medicine experience. With a robust first year at the University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency in Casper, WY, and the second and third year working with a tight knit medical team in the beautiful frontier community of Thermopolis, WY. The end goal being to train physicians to be able to practice as highly skilled Family Physicians in frontier or underserved communities.

Unique Features

 

  • 1:2 Format with 1 resident per class
  • Longitudinal curriculum with continuity clinic, hospital, ER, nursing home, behavioral
    medicine, and sports medicine with local high school and athletic trainer
  • Exposure to both rural/frontier medicine and rural/Frontier living experience
  • High risk Pediatrics supplementation with Peds ER rotation in Denver and Peds inpatient at Primary Children’s in Salt Lake City both prior to arrival in Thermopolis
  • High risk OB rotation in Spokane, WA, prior to arrival in Thermopolis
  • Outlying continuity clinic in either Basin, WY or Worland, WY
  • Procedural opportunities–C-sections, D&C’s, tubal ligations, vasectomy, EGD/colonoscopy, Nexplanon and IUD insertion and removal, cardiac stress testing including Cardiolyte nuclear testing, thoracentesis, paracentesis, electrical cardioversion, skin lesion removal and laceration repair, fracture and dislocation reduction, joint injections
  • Developing point of care ultrasound curriculum
  • Weekly didactics with Casper via ZOOM Thursday afternoons and monthly SIMS lab to be attended in Casper
  • Community involvement with organizations and activities as physician providers in rural communities are not just providers but often asked to be leaders in differing realms as well
  • Faculty–Five board certified Family Medicine physicians and general surgeon all in teaching and education
  • Visiting specialists including orthopedics, vascular surgery, cardiology, radiology, dermatology, gynecology, IM/oncology, and ophthalmology

 

Additional Information

Thermopolis is a community of 3,000 people established in 1911 and home of the largest mineral hot springs. It is located near the northern end of the Wind River Canyon and Wedding of the Waters, where the north-flowing Wind River becomes the Big Horn River, which flows through town. Thermopolis is ringed by mountains, with the Big Horn Mountains to the east and the Owl Creek Mountains to the West.

A new critical access hospital is under construction with estimated completion date of 2021. The hospital has 15 beds, two operating rooms, two delivery suites, and a 5-bed emergency room. It has a new MRI, 64-slice CT, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. The University of Wyoming has published an article about the Rural Training Track, you can access that here:
http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2020/06/new-uw-primary-care-residency-training-prepares-physicians-for-rural-practice.html

For more information visit:
ThermopolisRTT.com
Thermopolischamber.org
Thermopolis Wyoming Visitors Guide
Travelwyoming.com

 

Testimonial

Olson-Rural-Track-Testimonial

After completing two clerkships in Thermopolis during medical school, it was clear that the Thermopolis RTT would provide phenomenal family medicine training in a truly unique setting. I was drawn to the vast spectrum of care that their family medicine physicians provide, from routine clinic visits to complex hospital care to stabilizing trauma patients to complicated obstetrics management and cesarean deliveries and so much more. But what truly sets the Thermopolis RTT apart is the people. The physicians prioritize high-quality patient care and are committed to providing a worthwhile, challenging, and hands-on educational experience. In addition, the community is very excited to have residents in Thermopolis and welcomes new faces with open arms. I am thrilled to return to Thermopolis and look forward to joining their fantastic medical team!

-Megan Olson, MD