Best Medical Schools in Montana

Montana is known for its wide-open spaces, rural communities, and a strong commitment to improving healthcare in underserved areas. While Montana does not have a fully independent medical school, it is part of innovative and collaborative programs designed to address the healthcare needs of rural communities. Montana participates in regional partnerships and offers unique medical training opportunities for students interested in primary care, rural health, and community-focused medicine.

1. WWAMI Regional Medical Education Program – University of Washington School of Medicine

The WWAMI Program is a regional medical education collaboration between Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. The University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) oversees this program, which allows Montana residents to pursue medical education while remaining in the state for the early stages of their training. The program emphasizes rural health, primary care, and service to underserved populations, making it a strong option for students interested in community-oriented medical practice.

Key Features

• Regional Collaboration: WWAMI provides medical education in collaboration with Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, where students complete the first part of their training.
• Focus on Rural Health: The program emphasizes healthcare in rural and underserved areas, a critical need in Montana, and provides students with clinical experiences in these settings.
• Top-Ranked Medical School: The University of Washington School of Medicine is consistently ranked as one of the top medical schools in the country for primary care and rural medicine.

Degree Programs

• MD Program: The WWAMI program allows Montana students to pursue a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree through the University of Washington, starting with coursework at MSU and completing clinical training at partner hospitals and clinics throughout the WWAMI region.
• Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST): A specialized program for students committed to working in rural and underserved areas, providing mentorship, clinical experiences, and training in rural medicine.

Clinical Experience

WWAMI students complete clinical rotations across the WWAMI region, including opportunities to train in Montana:

• Bozeman Health: Offers clinical rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery. Bozeman Health is a key clinical partner for WWAMI students based in Montana.
• Billings Clinic: A major healthcare provider in Montana, offering rotations in specialties such as emergency medicine, surgery, and internal medicine.
• Rural Rotations: Students participate in clinical rotations in rural communities, gaining valuable experience in addressing the unique challenges of healthcare delivery in remote areas.
• Indian Health Service (IHS): WWAMI students have the opportunity to complete rotations with the Indian Health Service, focusing on providing care to Native American populations in Montana and other states in the region.

Research Opportunities

WWAMI offers a range of research opportunities focused on improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural and underserved areas:

• Rural Health Research: WWAMI encourages students to engage in research that addresses the challenges of providing healthcare in rural communities, with projects focused on healthcare access, chronic disease management, and preventive care.
• Public Health Research: Students can participate in research aimed at improving public health outcomes in underserved populations, including studies on infectious diseases, mental health, and health disparities.
• Community-Based Research: The program supports research initiatives that involve partnerships with local healthcare providers, focusing on improving healthcare delivery in Montana’s rural and frontier regions.

2. Montana State University – College of Nursing

While Montana State University (MSU) does not have a traditional medical school, its College of Nursing plays a significant role in healthcare education in the state. The college offers programs designed to train nurses and advanced practice professionals who are well-equipped to meet the healthcare needs of Montana’s rural communities.

Key Features

• Rural Healthcare Focus: MSU’s College of Nursing emphasizes training nurses to work in rural and underserved areas, with programs designed to address the unique challenges of providing healthcare in remote locations.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: MSU fosters collaboration between nursing, public health, and other healthcare disciplines, allowing students to gain a broad understanding of healthcare delivery.
• Community Engagement: The college is committed to improving healthcare outcomes in Montana’s communities, with a focus on community-based healthcare and primary care.

Degree Programs

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A comprehensive undergraduate program that prepares students for careers as registered nurses (RNs), with a strong emphasis on clinical skills, patient-centered care, and leadership development.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): A terminal degree program that prepares advanced practice nurses for primary care roles in rural and underserved communities. The DNP program offers tracks for Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs).
• Master’s Degree Programs: MSU offers master’s programs for nurses who want to specialize in areas such as healthcare administration, education, and advanced clinical practice.

Clinical Experience

MSU nursing students gain clinical experience through partnerships with healthcare providers across Montana:

• Rural Health Clinics: MSU nursing students complete rotations in rural health clinics, gaining hands-on experience in primary care and chronic disease management in remote communities.
• Billings Clinic: A key clinical partner for the College of Nursing, Billings Clinic provides students with rotations in specialties such as emergency care, internal medicine, and surgery.
• Community Health Centers: Nursing students participate in rotations at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), focusing on providing care to underserved populations in both urban and rural settings.
• Indian Health Service (IHS): MSU partners with the IHS to offer students clinical experiences in healthcare facilities that serve Native American populations, focusing on culturally competent care and addressing healthcare disparities.

Research Opportunities

MSU’s College of Nursing encourages students to engage in research that addresses healthcare challenges in Montana, particularly in rural and underserved areas:

• Rural Health Research: Faculty and students collaborate on research projects that focus on improving healthcare delivery in rural settings, including studies on telehealth, chronic disease management, and access to care.
• Public Health Research: MSU promotes research on public health issues affecting rural communities, with projects focusing on infectious diseases, mental health, and maternal-child health.
• Healthcare Disparities Research: The college supports research aimed at reducing healthcare disparities in underserved populations, including Native American communities and low-income rural residents.

3. Rocky Mountain College – Physician Assistant Program

Located in Billings, Rocky Mountain College offers a highly regarded Physician Assistant (PA) Program that prepares students to become licensed physician assistants. The program is known for its focus on primary care and rural medicine, making it an excellent option for students interested in serving Montana’s rural and underserved populations.

Key Features

• Focus on Primary Care: Rocky Mountain College’s PA program emphasizes training physician assistants to provide high-quality primary care, with a focus on serving rural and underserved communities in Montana and beyond.
• Interprofessional Collaboration: The program encourages collaboration between PAs, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers, ensuring that students develop strong teamwork skills and an understanding of the healthcare team’s role in patient care.
• Small Class Sizes: Rocky Mountain College’s PA program offers a personalized learning environment with small class sizes, allowing for individualized attention and mentorship from faculty.

Degree Programs

• Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS): A two-year graduate program that prepares students to become certified physician assistants. The curriculum covers medical science, clinical skills, and professional practice, with a strong emphasis on primary care and rural health.

Clinical Experience

Rocky Mountain College’s PA students gain clinical experience through a network of healthcare facilities across Montana and the surrounding region:

• Billings Clinic: A major healthcare provider in Montana, offering students clinical rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and emergency medicine.
• St. Vincent Healthcare: Another key clinical partner, providing students with experience in specialties such as surgery, cardiology, and women’s health.
• Rural Health Clinics: The program places a strong emphasis on rural healthcare, with students completing rotations in rural clinics and hospitals, gaining experience in primary care, chronic disease management, and preventive medicine.
• Indian Health Service (IHS): PA students have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations with the IHS, focusing on providing care to Native American populations and addressing healthcare disparities.

Research Opportunities

While the program is primarily clinically focused, Rocky Mountain College’s PA students are encouraged to engage in research that addresses healthcare challenges in rural and underserved communities:

• Primary Care Research: Students can participate in research projects that focus on improving primary care delivery, with an emphasis on chronic disease management, preventive care, and healthcare access in rural settings.
• Rural Health Research: The program supports research initiatives aimed at addressing the unique healthcare needs of rural communities, including studies on telemedicine, healthcare disparities, and access to care.
• Public Health Research: Rocky Mountain College promotes research on public health issues affecting rural populations, with projects focusing on infectious disease prevention, mental health, and substance use disorders.

4. University of Providence – School of Health Professions

The University of Providence, located in Great Falls, offers a variety of healthcare-related programs through its School of Health Professions. While it does not offer a traditional MD or DO program, the university provides education in nursing, healthcare administration, and public health, making it a vital contributor to healthcare education in Montana.

Key Features

• Healthcare Leadership: The School of Health Professions emphasizes training healthcare leaders who will improve healthcare delivery in Montana’s communities, with a focus on rural and underserved populations.
• Interdisciplinary Education: The university encourages collaboration between healthcare disciplines, preparing students to work as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Community Engagement: The School of Health Professions is committed to improving healthcare outcomes in Montana’s rural and underserved communities, with programs that focus on primary care, public health, and healthcare leadership.

Degree Programs

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A comprehensive undergraduate program that prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs), with a focus on clinical skills, patient-centered care, and leadership development.
• Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA): A graduate program designed for healthcare professionals interested in leadership and management roles in healthcare organizations. The MHA program focuses on healthcare policy, management, and finance.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): A graduate program that prepares nurses for advanced practice roles, with a focus on leadership, education, and healthcare administration.

Clinical Experience

The University of Providence partners with healthcare facilities across Montana to provide students with clinical experience:

• Benefis Health System: One of the largest healthcare providers in Montana, offering nursing students clinical rotations in specialties such as medical-surgical nursing, critical care, and maternity care.
• Great Falls Clinic: Provides students with experience in primary care, chronic disease management, and preventive care, focusing on serving rural and underserved populations.
• Rural Health Clinics: Nursing and healthcare administration students have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in rural health clinics, gaining experience in healthcare delivery in remote areas.

Research Opportunities

The University of Providence encourages students to engage in research that focuses on improving healthcare delivery in rural and underserved areas:

• Public Health Research: The university promotes research projects focused on improving public health outcomes in rural communities, with an emphasis on preventive care, infectious diseases, and mental health.
• Healthcare Leadership Research: The MHA program supports research on healthcare management, healthcare policy, and improving healthcare systems, particularly in rural settings.
• Nursing Research: Nursing students are encouraged to engage in research projects that focus on improving patient care, chronic disease management, and healthcare delivery in rural communities.