CUSOM Rural Track Alumni

CUSOM Rural Track Alumni Practicing in Montrose and Giving Back 

The Montrose, CO medical community consists of nearly 30 graduates from the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM).  One-third of these graduates participated in the Rural Program (formerly called Rural Track) while in medical school. The program was established in 2005 by Dr. Mark Deutchman with the mission of producing physicians who are committed to practicing in rural areas of Colorado and beyond. Students in the Rural Program make up about 10% of each class and are a select group who apply specifically to the program. The program provides students with skills, mentorship, and immersive clinical experiences in rural settings.

Montrose has been a key partner in this initiative. The Montrose Memorial Foundation has funded operational support for the program and scholarships for students who demonstrate a strong interest in settling on the Western Slope after completing their training. These scholarships were established with the guidance of Dr. Lou Winkler, a respected physician who practiced in Montrose for over 40 years.

“We established the Montrose Memorial Hospital Medical Scholarship Program primarily to support second thru fourth year medical students in the Rural Track/Program who were from the Western Slope of Colorado. We also hoped that it would function as a recruitment tool to encourage those students to come back to the Western Slope, and particularly to Montrose, after they completed their education and training. Happily, both goals have been met beyond our expectations.”

Over the years, eight Rural Program students received the Montrose Scholarship. Among those in practice, five are located in western Colorado, with three practicing specifically in the Montrose community. Dr. Haylie Petrick, one of the scholarship recipients, graduated from CUSOM in 2021. She recently joined Peak Family Medicine in Montrose after completing her family medicine residency training at North Colorado Family Medicine Residency in Greeley, CO.

"Being awarded the Montrose Memorial Scholarship not only made it financially easier to follow my passion to enter rural primary care, but I found a place that felt like home personally and professionally. When I rotated here as a third year medical student I knew that I would love working with a rural patient population similar to where I grew up and was excited to connect with other like minded medical professionals who were passionate about caring for their community and enjoying the outdoors. I left my rotations feeling like this was a group that I wanted to be a part of. The scholarship also kept me connected to the Montrose community during residency and when it came time to look for jobs they connected me with some of the family medicine practices in the community that were hiring."

This collaboration is part of a broader effort to address the shortage of healthcare providers in rural Colorado and to encourage medical students to consider long-term careers in these communities.  A core feature of the Rural Program is that students complete the majority of the core clinical year in a rural setting. Montrose hosts one to two medical students annually for their Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC), where they spend time in ambulatory, inpatient, surgery, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, and emergency during a typical week. In 2023, four CUSOM graduates (Drs. Alexis Garza, Drew Yeowell, Avery MacKenzie, and Kevin McAllister) working at Montrose Regional Health received a group award for EM Specialty LIC Preceptor(s) of the Year. Montrose Regional Health has been an important partner, with Jeff Mengenhausen as CEO since 2021.

"Montrose Regional Health is proud to partner with the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Rural Program to help grow the next generation of rural physicians. I come from a town with a population of 1,000 and it's incredibly rewarding to see former students return to Montrose to practice and serve our community. These talented clinicians bring not only medical expertise, but also a deep understanding of the unique needs of rural healthcare. We are committed to continuing this collaboration to ensure high-quality care remains accessible for families across the Western Slope."

Montrose is one of more than 15 communities across Colorado that partner with the Rural Program to host medical students for the Rural LIC. This extended exposure allows students to follow patients over time and envision a future in rural medicine. Many of these communities have successfully recruited graduates to join their local medical staff, helping to alleviate provider shortages and improve access to care. Dr. Tom Clagett graduated from CUSOM and the Rural Program in 2017, and after completing family medicine residency at Kootenai Health Family Medicine in Coeur d'Alene, ID, joined Cedar Point Health in Montrose. He’s stayed connected with CUSOM by mentoring students through the Medical Alumni Association and precepting Rural LIC students.

“Being a part of the Rural Track helped confirm that I was really meant to care for patients in the underserved parts of Colorado.  For those like myself who did not grow up in a rural community, the training done in rural Colorado gave me a realistic view of what my life would be like as a professional.  It helped me to weigh the rewards and challenges that we all decide regardless of where we work.  I chose practicing in Montrose because I had already seen that it would be a friendly and welcoming community for my family and I.  We love living in Montrose because of the fun it offers us.  As a practicing physician, I have always felt a sense of responsibility to help teach new health professions students.  It is a fulfilling way to remind myself of all of those that humbly trained and shaped me.  If I can pay this gift forward, I am happy to do so!”

Now in its 20th year, the Rural Program is very proud to boast that 40% of graduates are practicing in rural communities, including in Montrose. Some of the other communities in rural Colorado include: Wray, Sterling, Fort Morgan, Craig, Glenwood Springs, Rifle, Gunnison, Durango, Cortez, and Del Norte. Graduates of the Rural Program are also located in other states across the country where they practice rurally.    

Cover Photo: CUSOM Rural Program graduates currently practicing in Montrose, CO

[Left photo] L to R: Kaitlyn Biernacki (’19), Stephanie Sargent (’18), Thomas Clagett (’17), Haylie Petrick (’21), Avery Mackenzie (’12)  
[Right photo grid] Top L to Bottom R: Claudia Quenelle (‘18), Kevin McAllister (‘17), Kelly Stewart (‘19), Ann Treisman (’17)