NRMC provides hands-on training for med student

If you have seen a new face at Northern Rockies Rural Health Clinic the last few weeks, you will have seen their newest visiting medical student, Judy Han.

Han is in her first year of medical school at University of Washington School of Medicine and opted to join the Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program, which is an elective program that allows her to live and work in a rural, underserved community. Montana was her first state-choice and when given the chance to come to Cut Bank, she jumped at the chance.

“I have never been to Montana before,” said the Oregon native, “and I love it. I feel really comfortable here, even though this is the smallest town I have ever been in.”

“Dr. D’Ambrose has been really great. He is a good preceptor and is always challenging me and encouraging me to do new things I might not yet be comfortable with doing,” she admitted. “I saw my first C-section while I was here and I stood right next to him and he talked me through the anatomy and the techniques. It was amazing.”

Han grew up in Corvallis, Ore., and later her family moved to Bainbridge Island, Wash., which is where she graduated from high school. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington and it was there that she became interested in clinical research. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington in June of 2015 with a Psychology degree.

Han then worked as a research coordinator at Bernier Lab before starting medical school last fall.

The Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program is designed for first or second year medical school students who want to develop their clinical studies and gain some hands-on training with a physician in a smaller community.

“I will be starting my second year of medical school this fall and have been very surprised by the clinical experience I have already been a part of during my first year. Being a part of this program has been so beneficial. It helps you get started talking to patients and learning how to gather history from them. Being a part of this program has made me feel like I am a little ahead of the game,” Han shared.

It is Han’s hope to do another rotation in this program during her third or fourth year of medical school.

“When I first started in medical school, I was thinking family medicine was where I wanted to focus my energies and while I am still thinking that, I haven’t ruled out anything else either. I am interested in women’s health too, which is why being here with Dr. D’Ambrose has been so great. He is a really good teacher,” Han said.

Even though she is in her first year of medical school, Han already knows what she will like about being a doctor.

“I am all about the patient stories and being hands-on with the patient. It is kind of like a puzzle, listening to what is happening with the patient and then coming up with a diagnosis,” she said

While in Cut Bank, Han is staying with Dave and Allison Harvie. “They are such nice people and have been so wonderful to stay with,” Han said. “Everyone in Cut Bank has been so great. The people here have made me feel so comfortable and so welcome.”

There is nothing but an open door ahead for this young lady and she is excited to walk through those doors and see where her life and new career will take her.