University of Wisconsin (Baraboo) Rural Program

The University of Wisconsin (Baraboo) Rural Program, specifically the Baraboo 1-2 RTT Family Medicine Residency Program, is devised to offer comprehensive training within a rural setting. This program is designed to emulate the lifestyle and professional environment of a rural community's private practice, situated approximately 45 minutes north of Madison. It aims to blend the flexibility and networks of a renowned family medicine department with the procedural and high-risk opportunities characteristic of rural medicine, offering "the best of both worlds," as quoted by alumna Rachel Hartline, MD.

Program Highlights

• The program features an unopposed training experience in a rural setting, catering to a culturally diverse patient population.
• It offers a "hybrid longitudinal curriculum" in an apprenticeship model, which allows residents to gain extensive experience in full-spectrum family medicine. This includes hospital rounds, clinic participation, urgent care/ER call, hospital admissions, and obstetrics.
• There is a focus on strong continuity maternity care and procedural training, with additional elective training opportunities accessible through the Madison program.
• The program has osteopathic recognition, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care.

Size and Community

With a program size of 6 residents (2 per year), trainees can expect personalized attention and mentorship. Baraboo itself is a community of around 12,000 residents, offering a charming rural environment with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to engage in, such as visits to Devil’s Lake, Circus World Museum, and Wisconsin Dells.

Practice Setting

Residents will enjoy the convenience of a rural clinic that's just a two-minute walk from the hospital, emphasizing the close-knit community and integrated healthcare environment.

Educational Approach

• First Year: The focus is on inpatient responsibilities, with most rotations completed at St. Mary’s Hospital and the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, alongside Madison Family Medicine residency partners. Outpatient responsibilities begin with establishing a continuity patient panel at Dean Clinic Baraboo.
• Second and Third Year: These years are dedicated to immersing residents in full-spectrum rural family medicine practice. The longitudinal model includes an average of three weeks of outpatient/specialty rotation followed by one week of rounding with an attending on the family medicine service at the hospital.

Additional Opportunities

• Elective and specialized training in areas such as addiction disorders, C-Section training, global health, and more.
• Involvement in several hospital-based committees to develop practice management skills.
• Encouragement to partake in elective global health opportunities, supported by the University Of Wisconsin Department Of Family Medicine.

This program diligently prepares its residents for a fulfilling career in rural family medicine through a comprehensive, real-world approach to medical education, emphasizing community involvement, continuity of care, and procedural competence.