Medical students have WRITE stuff for Sandpoint

Amelia Jones and Lily Daniali are third-year medical students at the University of Washington and for the next few months they're trying Sandpoint on for size. Through a unique program at UW, the two are able to make the rounds with a variety of physicians here in Sandpoint, getting a taste of what practicing medicine is like in a small town.

The WRITE (Washington Wyoming Alaska Montana Idaho Rural Integrated Training Experience) program was designed to allow students to learn in a hands-on clinical setting, while gaining experience in a rural community. Area residents will have several opportunities to meet the medical students as they spend time at family practice, obstetrical, pediatric and orthopedic offices in town, as well as here at Bonner General.

Both Daniali and Jones are interested in the possibility of practicing in a rural area, but for different reasons. Texas-born Daniali grew up in a larger town, but is interested in the more intimate dynamics of rural life. Jones grew up in Washington state and knows from that experience that life as a small-town physician is for her. Both are excited about the prospect of working in a close-knit community like Sandpoint.

"It's much harder to form intimate relationships in a big city," Daniali explains. "For me, medicine is about learning people's stories and that kind of relationship can get overlooked in a city."

"There's just so much more opportunity to really get to know your patients," adds Jones. "And rural doctors get to see a broader range of the population and have more varied experiences, as opposed to the city where patients are quickly handed off to specialists."

Both are excited about their stay in Sandpoint and chose this location as much for the community as the doctors who serve it. "They're great," says Daniali. "The doctors here are very interested in teaching and mentoring us through this program."

Another reason the two chose Sandpoint is the broad range of services offered here, despite the rural setting. They marveled that so many tests and procedures can be done right here in Sandpoint, rather than having patients travel to larger, urban areas.

When asked about their experience in medical school so far, both women acknowledge that it has been more of a transforming experience than they expected.

"I know now that life isn't as black and white as I believed when I was a child — there are definitely more shades of gray," admits Daniali.

Both will be here through June 15, following physicians at several practices and at Bonner General Hospital. If you are given the opportunity to see either Jones or Daniali while they are here, take it. Their youth, passion and enthusiasm are a great asset to our medical community, and you'll be helping some future doctors gain experience in the real world. Besides, you never know, they might be back here someday, opening up practices of their own.

Local WRITE program participants include: Bonner General Hospital. Family Health Center, Sandpoint Women's Health, Sandpoint Pediatrics and Sandpoint Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.