Nine University of Kansas medical students spent the summer in Northwest Kansas as part of a program called the Summer Training Option of Rural Medicine, or STORM.

STORM allows students on their way to becoming medical professionals to live the lifestyle of a rural practicing physician. They are introduced not only to patient care, but other aspects of life as a rural doctor. The STORM program is often the first time that students experience hands-on clinical training.

Started in 1992, STORM has a 27-year track record of success. An analysis in 2018 revealed that more than half of STORM participants stay in Kansas to start their practice, with about 46 percent continuing in a rural practice. Sixteen returned to the place they spent their summer during STORM, and 35 practicing physicians in the Foundation’s 26-county area are former STORM students.

STORM participants received stipends from the Foundation of $2,800 for the entire seven-week summer program and $1,600 for a four-week program.

Here’s what some of them had to say about the experience:

“Building relationships with patients and having continuity of care are important aspects I would like to prioritize in my future practice, and it was great to experience that this summer,” said Brianna Hafenstine, who participated in STORM in Oberlin. “I was able to see the same patients several times in the clinic over the course of the past seven weeks, and it was great to follow up and hear how they were doing since the last visit.”

“Working with the healthcare team in Colby showed me what it means to truly provide care from cradle to grave. I knew STORM was going to be great, but I think it exceeded my expectations,” said Anne Recker, who was placed in Colby. “The doctors were all so friendly and willing to teach which created a great environment for me to put myself out there and try new things. My summer in Colby has given me the confidence to not worry and be excited about being thrown into clinical rotations. I look forward to returning to Colby for one of those rotations third year and would seriously consider a career at Citizens Medical Center.”

“I look back at my time at Rooks County and all I can do is smile,” said Morgan Weiler, who was in Plainville and Stockton. “STORM defines the largest growth period in Morgan Weiler’s life. I grew in my confidence as a student doctor, I grew my knowledge of medicine, I grew my compassion for people of all walks of life and most important to me, I grew in the area of intelligence. I was pushed out of my comfort zone numerous times. There were times I wanted to cry (and I did on occasion), but I realized these are the moments that define who I am and what I am capable of. To me, STORM is so much more than an elective. To me, STORM is a way of life.”