UMN Rural Physician Associate Program - RPAP

Congratulations to all of our RPAP/MetroPAP alumni on their match! Your hard work, resilience, and dedication have paid off. Wishing you all the best in your next big step!🎉

RPAP Faculty member, Dr. Sandra Stover, is addressing the maternity care crisis. Check out her feature in the latest issue of Minnesota Family Physician.

Minnesota Family Physician • Winter 2026 • Page 12 RESEARCH Be Part of the Conversation: A Statewide Study on Maternity Care Credentialing 18 Minnesota counties have lost or redu Sandy Stover, MD, FAAFP by Sandy Stover, MD, FAAFP birth services between 201 DECLINING ACCESS TO BIRTH SERVICES The availability of birth services across the United States...

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Larry Brettingen. He was a valued RPAP preceptor in Mora, Minnesota whose commitment to teaching, mentorship, and rural healthcare made a lasting impact on our students and communities. Two of his RPAP students later joined him in practice, a true testament to his mentorship and influence. Our sincere condolences are extended to his family and loved ones.

Obituary for Larry Brettingen at Dresser-Methven Funeral and Cremation Services Larry Brettingen, of Mora, passed away on January 9, 2026, at his home. He was 85 years old. He was born on October 13, 1940, in Braham, MN to his parents Manferd and Theresa Brettingen. Larry lived in Mora through first grade, then moved to Brook Park. He graduated from

Three students. Three rural communities. One shared purpose.

Meet Sabdi Bravo-Benning, Lila Lohmiller, and Micah Christensen, UMN medical students whose RPAP experiences are shaping their paths in rural medicine.

Growing the Rural Physician Workforce Through Immersive Training The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Rural Physician Associate Program places medical students in rural communities for nine months of immersive training.

RPAP student, Micah Christenson, has returned to his hometown of Alexandria, MN through our program. We're thrilled that he is gaining valuable clinical experience at Alomere Health and in the community where his roots run deep!

Medical student Micah Christenson is getting hands-on experience at his hometown hospital, Alomere Health, for nine months through the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP)!

He’s learning from local physicians, working closely with patients, and inspiring local students to explore healthcare careers!

Read his story: https://bit.ly/44BNrlB.

🌾 On , we’re thrilled to celebrate RPAP Associate Director, Ray Christensen, MD, winner of the Minnesota Department of Health’s 2025 Lifetime Commitment to Rural Health Education Award!

Dr. Christensen has spent his career championing opportunities for students to train and serve in rural communities, leading to strengthen rural healthcare. Congratulations, Dr. Christensen!

More details here:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2025/rural111725.html

We’re proud to honor our 2025 Preceptor Achievement Award recipients! 🎉

Dr. Maggie Neudecker (RPAP) – Gateway Family Health Clinic, Moose Lake, MN

Dr. Javad Keyhani (MetroPAP) – Smileys Clinic University Family Physicians, Minneapolis, MN

Both were nominated by their students for their exceptional teaching, mentorship, and commitment to patient care. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Neudecker and Dr. Keyhani.

Congratulations to RPAP faculty member, Dr. Keith Stelter, recipient of the Minnesota Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contributions to medicine and years of dedicated service to the association. We’re thrilled to hear of the deserved recognition he received at this year’s Empowering Physicians event!

Names and notables Minnesota Medical Association

We’re thrilled to welcome our incoming RPAP and MetroPAP students for 2026-2027 from both the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses! We’re looking forward to connecting as a full group soon. Congratulations to our incoming students.

Following our program orientation, the 2025-2026 RPAP and MetroPAP class started at their sites this month. We are wishing our students a great start to their RPAP and MetroPAP experience!