The People in the Program

Dr. Monica Mayer, NEW TOWN, returned to her home town to practice medicine after training at the University of North Dakota's School of Medicine. As a family practice physician in a community without a hospital, her work day runs the gamut—from routine checkups to life threatening emergencies.

Jeff Braaten and Kathy Buckhouse, HANKINSON, are two of the trained emergency medical technicians who staff the state's overtaxed rural ambulance services. Over 90 percent of emergency medical services are provided by volunteers like Braaten and Buckhouse.

Dr. Harnek Singh, CROSBY, came to this small community to practice medicine under legislation sponsored by North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad. Known as J1 doctors, Dr. Singh is one of many trained overseas who commit to practice for three years in an under-served rural area in order to receive a medical license in the US. At the end of their three years, these J1 physicians are free to practice medicine anywhere they choose.

Dr. Mark Schaeffer, HAWLEY, is a dentist who takes his services to his patients. Because many nursing home residents are unable to travel to a dentist office, Dr. Schaeffer and his colleagues at Appletree Dentistry visit nursing homes in rural areas and provide dental care on site.

Tamie and Shawn Maddocks, HUNTER, are typical of many rural North Dakotans. Shawn's job as a farm worker did not provide health insurance until very recently. Tamie's job has provided the health insurance needed for this young family.

The West River Health Center, HETTINGER, has become the model for the rural health care success story in North Dakota. In this isolated area in southwestern North Dakota, residents have access to state-of-the-art medical facilities that rival many hospitals in much larger communities.

Dr. Rob Beatty, HETTINGER, was recruited by West River Health Center as a medical student at UND School of Medicine. He hadn't planned to practice in such a remote community but came to love rural life and the quality of care he is able to provide his patients.

UND School of Medicine, GRAND FORKS. Almost 45 percent of doctors in North Dakota are graduates of the UND School of Medicine in GRAND FORKS. The ROME (Rural Opportunities in Medical Education) program is one innovative way the school seeks to encourage students to practice in rural communities after graduation. In this program, third year medical students spend their internship in rural hospitals.

Funding for Life Support is provided by a grant from USDA Rural Development