Thank you for the Associated Press article highlighting the need for rural physicians throughout our country (“Medical schools try to sell rural life to new doctors,” Associated Press, Aug. 10). Referring to a comment by one of the medical students that as an outsider, he was concerned about finding it difficult to build relationships with the community, I would add a few words to the Local Angle accompanying the piece.
Our son, Rob, a 1993 Columbia River High School grad, is a rural family practice physician at the Omak Clinic in northeastern Washington. Rob and his wife, Heidi, were immediately welcomed on their arrival in Okanogan 13 years ago. They and their two sons are immersed in the varied aspects of community and recreational life in Omak and Okanogan. We support the need for rural physicians and encourage any interested medical student to investigate the opportunities.
