Wisconsin Academy of Rural Medicine (WARM)
The WARM program enhances rural medicine by equipping future physicians with the skills and knowledge to serve medically underserved communities. You can find our WARM graduates practicing in rural areas across the Midwest.
Overview
We’re proud to train medical students accepted into WARM at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health to provide medical care where it’s needed most. Developed by Gundersen and other institutions, the program offers a rich rural clinical experience for medical students in their third and fourth years, blending didactic classroom instruction with hands-on practice in simulation laboratories and mock scenarios. WARM students also participate in community projects to grow their leadership skills.
All state core day
Each summer, medical students from across Wisconsin meet at our Integrated Center for Education for a full day practicing patient care. You’ll use simulation equipment to learn lumbar puncture, chest tube placement, airway and fluid management, along with ultrasound and surgical skills training. On the second day, you’ll participate in a large-scale rural disaster training on a local farm. Working alongside firefighters and first responders, you’ll use simulation equipment, moulage and farm machinery during realistic scenarios. Our students have worked through mock scenarios of rollovers, equipment related amputations, anaphylactic responses, near drownings, limb crush injuries, electrocution, gunshot wounds, and even delivering a baby in a van.
UWSMPH Phase 2
If you’re a UWSMPH WARM medical student, you’ll spend 28 months of your training at our flagship hospital in La Crosse and in one of our clinics in Whitehall, Tomah, Decorah, Sparta and Viroqua. You can expect a hands-on experience and specialized training in leadership, communication, teaching skills and community engagement.
Core days
During your core days, you’ll be able to focus on clinical instruction while connecting with your peers. Small cohorts meet once a month for hands-on interactive learning and leadership development.
UWSMPH Phase 3
We encourage WARM students to train at their home site, a rural clinic or another WARM site to help decide medical specialty and prepare for residency.
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