SITE COORDINATOR: Bob Lawrence, MD

The Norton Sound Health Corporation is based in Nome, Alaska, on the northern shore of the Norton Sound. This site offers a chance to experience truly rural primary care medicine in a beautiful setting. The Norton Sound Hospital serves nearly 10,000 Native Alaskans living in 15 villages spread out over 26,000 square miles connected to each other only by air travel. On any given day, students will help manage medical emergencies, round on inpatients, deliver babies, treat pediatric patients, manage orthopedic injuries, fly along on village medivacs, utilize telemedicine, observe endoscopies, assist with exercise tolerance testing, attend home vistis, and/or attend a diabetes clinic. The practice is not connected to any referral center by road. For this reason, students gain great experience consulting with specialists by phone and by telemedicine. This is an opportunity for full-spectrum rural family medicine in a unique setting. In addition to an engaging medical experience, students have ample opportunity to participate in year-round local cultural and outdoor activities.

GENERAL: Dress in clinic is more pragmatic than professional. Most of the doctors wear khakis and a dress shirt or light sweater for clinic. Some wear scrub tops while on call. Students will walk most everywhere so a sturdy pair of boots or trail-type shoes are a good idea. Temperatures can vary wildly regardless of the season. Plan to dress in layers. Sunglasses are helpful all year. A light backpack makes a handy tool for day trips. Each student gets a pass to the local recreation center, so encourage them to bring work out attire and court or running shoes.

SUMMER: July-August; a light rain-wind jacket with fleece liner is a great choice. Fishing gear might be another fun thing to keep in the apartment for this time of year.

FALL: Sept-October; Temps start falling into the 20s-30s this time of year. A good winter coat, hat, and gloves are nice. Many of our staff wear fleece lined pants.

WINTER: December-March; VERY COLD. A good parka and snow pants are a must for spending any time outside. Snow boots with warm wool socks are worth the investment especially if students would like to get out in the country on snow machines. Winter gloves are also a must. March is Iditarod (big dog-sled race) time and an exciting time to be in Nome.

SPRING: April-June; layered clothing with fleece and a good winter coat and trail boots are common wear this time of year. This is called "break up" in our region referring to the break up of ice in the rivers and melting of frozen ground around town. This can be a muddy time.