The Challenge Continues
Turning out more rural physicians at a time when only 3 or 4 percent of medical school graduates across the country end up practicing in rural areas continues to be our passion and our mission. More than half of all doctors who began their medical educations in Duluth take up posts in small towns and on reservations..  Programs such as RPAP, rural preceptors and summer internships are a big part of that success rate. Read more about the physicians who inspire and teach future family physicians and the students who work with them.

Rural Physician Assistant Program: Students Tackle Rural Health Problems 
Since the state legislature launched RPAP in 1971, the program has now graduated 1,127 physicians-some 60 percent practice in rural communities, and about 80 percent provide primary care.  Click here to read about this program and listen to interviews with Duluth's Dr. Ruth Westra and Dr. Steve Tekippe of the Gateway Clinic in Moose Lake as they talk about the program's value.

Barbara Elliott, Ph.D., Among First in World to Walk "Abraham's Path" in
the Middle East 
In November 2006, a unique, inspiring event literally took its first major steps towards creating greater appreciation and understanding among the world religions shared by half the world’s population:  Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  Only one Minnesotan, a professor from the University of Minnesota Medical School – Duluth Campus, was involved, Barbara Elliott, PhD.  Read more about it.