During the past two years, I have had the incredible privilege of being a medical student in the Alaska WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) Program. Given the recent proposal to eliminate WWAMI funding from the state budget, I know that we can expect some spirited debate about the merits and expense of the program in the weeks ahead. I am eager to have a discussion of the numbers at another time, but for now I will simply mention that Alaska WWAMI is generally considered to be highly cost effective for the state, with the majority of graduates returning here to practice as physicians.

However, what I really want to share with the people of Alaska is a brief insider’s perspective. I was born and raised in Alaska, and I share that sense of Alaska pride in our state’s culture, institutions and collective consciousness that is so terribly difficult to articulate to Outsiders. Students who leave Alaska for medical school tell me that they eventually give up trying to explain. Within my Alaska WWAMI cohort, I don’t have to explain anything, because everyone already understands. We all chose the WWAMI Program because it is deliberately consistent with the values that make us all Alaskans, and learning to navigate the unique challenges of Alaska health care is specifically built in to the curriculum.

Beyond that, I cannot possibly imagine a more dedicated and caring group of individuals than my classmates to become the next generation of Alaska physicians. Not only are they all intellectually brilliant, they each also embody the Alaska spirit of thoughtful creativity that has been foundational to our state’s history and progress. Where else among 20 medical students can you find pilots, commercial fishermen, teachers, nurses, veterans, miners, chefs, artists, welders, rescue divers, mountaineers and so forth? We are not Outsiders who have to be lured to Alaska to practice medicine. We live here intentionally because it is what we love. We are the familiar faces who grew up with your children. You see us on the ski trails, studying at Kaladi Brothers or picking up our pizza at Moose’s Tooth. Most of you probably know a WWAMI student or know someone who does. If you interact with the health care system, you have likely encountered a WWAMI-trained physician. We are active members of our communities throughout the state, we see a need that we are trying to meet and we have a vested interest in keeping our friends and neighbors healthy — because we know you and we care about you.

For my own part, I have just reached the point in my training where I must leave Alaska temporarily. My medical education has been the most intense and meaningful experience of my life thus far, and I am so thankful to the people of Alaska for affording me this opportunity. Leaving the lifelong relationships and the network of community support that I have been so fortunate to enjoy here is difficult, even with the knowledge that I will be back soon. I hope the same opportunities continue to be available to aspiring Alaskan physicians, and I encourage you to lend your support to ensure that the WWAMI Program is funded into the future.

Don Haering is a second-year medical student in the Alaska WWAMI Program.