Rural Track Program – Williston, ND

The program emphasizes rural family medicine training in the setting where it is practiced. Residents enjoy a well-rounded first year in Minot, N.D., a small city of 47,000 and the subsequent two years in Williston, N.D., a smaller city of about 30,000. Both sites provide mostly 1:1 training situations with supervision and teaching by dedicated rural physician educators in the setting of a community hospital. The program has temporary approval to accept two residents per year; initial accreditation was for one resident per year.

Unique Features

  • Personalized programs (lots of freedom to customize education)
  • University sponsored
  • Medical school focused on primary care
  • Exposure to individuals of diverse ethnicity
  • Community setting
  • Beautiful Western environment
  • Experienced rural physicians as teachers/mentors
  • Unlimited clinical exposure
  • High volume trauma, OB, minor surgery
  • High volume office procedures with one on one mentoring
  • New program—opportunity for leadership

 Additional Information

Williston is a rapidly growing community on the western border of North Dakota.  Williston has grown rapidly as a result of the Bakken oil boom,  from an estimated population of 13,000 in 2009 to the current population estimate of 30,000.  The recent population growth has included families, as housing has permitted workers to bring in families.  the community has seen a lot of building, not just of housing, but of restaurants, community centers, and schools.  Williston has five public elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

Location