WWAMI Brings Research Symposium Back to Ivinson

It also requires them to present their findings to a panel of judges at the annual Research Symposium. In recent years, the event has been held in conjunction with the Wyoming Medical Society annual conference, but this year they are bringing the unique event back to the Ivinson Memorial Hospital. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm in Ivinson’s West Atrium (Entrance #4) and will include light appetizers from the Grazing Cowboy.

According to the University, students will present on one of two types of projects:

The Independent Investigative Inquiry is a core requirement for medical students and is designed to immerse students in scholarly activities, emphasizing lifelong learning, critical inquiry, and collaboration with faculty mentors. All Wyoming WWAMI students complete a Triple I project as part of their medical education during the summer between their first and second years.

The Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) is a six-week research project conducted alongside a four-week clinical immersion in a rural or underserved community in Wyoming or the WWAMI region. Students work side-by-side with local physicians providing health care to historically disinvested populations and conducting community-focused research such as health education projects, needs assessments, intervention planning, or evaluation of health services. This early exposure to the challenges and rewards of practicing primary care community-based medicine offers students a chance to learn how healthcare systems function in these communities and how community research can benefit local efforts to address a public health priority.

The research component of the Wyoming WWAMI programs involve multifaceted values that enable students to thrive in a real-world medical setting:

•    Faculty Mentorship: All students receive support and guidance from experienced faculty throughout their project.
•    Flexibility: Students can pursue scholarly topics that match their interests and goals, many of which directly relate to rural and global health
•    Integration in Curriculum: Completion of a Triple I project is required for graduation from UWSOM and is embedded in the WWAMI experience for all Wyoming students.
•    Relevance for Wyoming: The Triple I program provides opportunities to contribute to rural health initiatives, collaborate on impactful research, and develop skills crucial for future physicians serving Wyoming’s diverse communities. The RUOP option, in particular, allows students to work directly within Wyoming communities and supports the program’s mission of strengthening healthcare in the region. (source: uwyo​.edu/​w​w​a​m​i​/​r​e​s​e​arch/)

Ivinson works closely with Wyoming’s WWAMI students to mentor and support their education in an immersive hospital setting. Hosting the research symposium in their facility is a novel opportunity to welcome the public and healthcare employees from around the community to see local research and interface with the next generation of doctors.