Why Thermpopolis Rural Training Track?
Univeristy of Wyoming Family Medicine
Train where physicians are needed. Graduate able to practice anywhere.
The Thermopolis Rural Training Track (RTT) is a full-spectrum family medicine residency designed for physicians who want real responsibility, broad clinical skills, and deep community impact. If you are seeking purposeful training in a true frontier environment—with the mentorship and support to grow safely—we invite you to learn more.
Who We Are
The Thermopolis RTT is Wyoming’s Rural Training Track, partnered with the University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency in Casper. Our mission is simple:
Train confident, competent family physicians for rural and frontier practice.
Our Residents Complete
PGY-1
PGY-1 at the University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency (Casper)
PGY-2 & PGY-3
PGY-2 & PGY-3 immersed in longitudinal rural practice in Thermopolis, WY
You will practice across clinic, hospital, emergency department, and obstetrics, gaining skills that many graduates nationwide never have the opportunity to develop.
Is this program right for you?
Want full-scope family medicine, including OB, inpatient care, and ER
Are excited by procedural medicine and hands-on, independent learning
.
Value autonomy with supervision, not micromanagement
Are motivated by service to rural and underserved communities
Prefer depth over volume and meaningful relationships with patients
.
This program may be challeging if you:
Strongly prefer subspecialty-heavy or highly urban practice
Want minimal overnight or emergency room responsibility
.
Are uncomfortable living or practicing in a small community setting
Do not want to balance multiple roles in on day (clinic, ER, hospital, OB)
There are several family medicine residencies touted as full-spectrum, but few can claim to train frontier doctors as well as the Thermopolis RTT. From daily in-patient care, weekly ED shifts, and high- risk surgical OB training, this residency programs seeks to provide excellent physicians for underserved populations in the Mountain West and beyond. I graduated confident to pursue my next level of fellowship training and preparation for international medicine. I am so appreciative for the mentorship and teaching I received from these veteran frontier doctors.”
What your training looks like
Clinical Scope
Residents train across the full continuum of rural family medicine, including:
- Outpatient continuity clinic
- Inpatient adult and pediatric medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Obstetrics, including operative OB
- Nursing home and end-of-life-care
- Behavioral health integration
Procedural Experience
Graduates leave comfortable with a wide range of procedures commonly required in rural practice, including:
- Cesarean Sections
- D&C, Vasectomy, Salpingectomy
- IUD and Nexplanon insertion/removal
- Joint injections and dermatologic procedures
- Fracture and dislocation management, casting, splinting
- Paracentesis, Thoracentesis, Cardioversion, Stress Testing
- Intubation, Chest Tubes
- Colonoscopy/Endoscopy
Procedures are earned progressively and supervised carefully – autonomy grows with competence.
Call, Responsibility and Support
Training here is intense and intentional, but never unsupervised.
- Residents take meaningful call in the hospital and ED
- Faculty are locally present and immediately available
- Expectations for independence increase with training year
- Backup systems are in place to support residents at all times
- Second and Third year 1 weeknight call a week and 1 weekend a month–home call
You will work hard, but you will not work alone and have 3 golden weekends a month!
