Clinical Rotation – Montana

Demographic Information

Fitness/recreation areas available in the region:
The Montana Region has a variety of fitness/recreation opportunities across the entire state.  These include:  exercise gyms, CrossFit studios, yoga, an indoor climbing facility, and all types of winter and summer outdoor activities.  In addition, Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park both provide wonderful opportunities to see a variety of nature.

Housing:
Housing for students is available throughout the region.  Reach out to your social media contacts and if you need additional recommendations please contact the Regional Site Administrator. 

Length of time region has been training with PNWU students:
Since the first PNWU graduating class of 2012.


Preceptor/Rotation Information

The region will do their best to schedule core rotations within 50 miles one way from where didactics are held or from the satellite locations (a location for clinical rotations associated with a regional site). If a core rotation occurs more than 50 miles from their assigned site, student may be eligible for a housing allowance and/or mileage stipend provided by PNWU.

4th year electives that have been successful in this region depending on availability:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Cardiology – General and Interventional
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Dermatology
  • ENT
  • Family Medicine
  • GI
  • Hematology/Oncology
  • ICU
  • Infectious Disease
  • Neurology
  • NICU
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Palliative Care
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  • Pulmonology
  • Radiology – General and Interventional
  • Urology
  • Wound Care

Number of Preceptors credentialed with PNWU to teach CORE rotations: 144

D.O. preceptors in the region (approx.):  40

M.D. preceptors in the region (approx.):  104

Rotations that provide inpatient experience:

  • Behavioral Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • OB/Gyn
  • Pediatrics

Rotation challenges in the region based on availability:
OB/Gyn

Is there integration of other schools with PNWU students?
Our students work with Residents, PA’s, Nurse Practitioners and other medical students.

Residencies available in the region that PNWU students are involved in (didactics, rotations, etc.):

  • Montana Family Medicine Residency (Billings)
  • Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana (Missoula/Kalispell)
  • Internal Medicine Residency at Billings Clinic
  • Psychiatry Residency at Billings Clinic

Opportunities to practice OMM:
Some preceptors allow the students to use OMM on rotations.

Out-of-Region Expectations:
It is expected that a student may be required to rotate outside of their region for any unavailable core rotations. Please see student handbook for policies and procedures related to core rotations conducted out of region.


Didactics Information

Centralized Didactics are held every Wednesday afternoon from 3 pm to 5 pm MT. Students will join the online PNWU Centralized Didactics for the Clinical Didactics (CLIN 704) course.

Region-led didactics, which are part of the Clinical Didactics (CLIN 704) course, are held every Wednesday as scheduled by the regional leadership and include various topics/activities.

Other learning opportunities in addition to PNWU didactics include:
There are opportunities for students to attend the Billings Clinic Grand Rounds that occur every Friday from 12:15 – 1:15 pm. These are not mandatory, but they have great topics and if the student’s clinical schedule allows, it is recommended for students to attend.  There are also continuing education opportunities for students to attend with other providers.

Core (3rd year) rotations available within driving distance (50 miles) of the didactics site?
Yes

Additional Information

Regional strengths:
We have very dedicated preceptors who pride themselves on the experience that they give to the students.  We can accommodate most rotation requests from students in their 4th year of training, allowing them to stay in region for both 3rd and 4th year.  

Student/Resident Information: (as of AY 24-25)
Number of OMS3 Students Rotating in Region:   6
Number of OMS4 Students Rotating in Region:   8
Alumni in Residency Programs (Montana totals):   38
Alumni practicing in the regions (Montana totals):   29
% of PNWU-COM matriculations from regions (Montana totals):   2.1%


Regional Site Leadership

Assistant Dean:

Marie Cadwell Meyer, DO, FAAFP
Assistant Dean for Clinical Education
mcadwell@pnwu.edu
509-438-2773

Regional Site Administrator:


Melissa Guaderrama
mguaderrama@pnwu.edu
415-271-3348

Address used for Site Selection: 801 N. 29th Street Billings 59101