Organized in October of 1977 by former Chairman Dr. Theodore Phillips, the Research Section has flourished as one of the most productive family medicine research enterprises in North America. The department’s research efforts are focused primarily in four areas -- rural health, the health workforce, chronic disease, and medical education.

The WWAMI Rural Health Research Center (RHRC) conducts the majority of the department’s rural health research. The Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS) focuses on health workforce issues among a broad range of health professions.

Section investigators have initiated additional independent research in areas such as the integration of mental health and primary care services, cancer screening and care, tobacco and alcohol control, sports medicine, and the effect of climate change on health.

The section offers research training through a two-year National Research Service Award fellowship, among other opportunities.