Clinic:
The Providence Matanuska Health Care Clinic is located on the shore of Lake Wasilla, overlooking the Chugach Mountain Range. It contains office space for family physicians, pediatricians, and a daycare center for employees. The practice has a very active OB and inpatient service.

Nursing Home: Mat-Su Health Services.

Hospital: Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is a brand new 74 bed hospital, opened in 2006, with a full range of services, including an ICU, cardiac catheterization lab, family birthing center, full endoscopy/colonoscopy suite, and MRI/CT scanner. It is located at 2500 South Woodworth Loop, Palmer, Alaska 99645; (907) 861-6000; www.matsuregional.com

Televideo: specifics not currently available

What to Expect:
WRITE students in Wasilla have many opportunities to actively participate in continuity OB and Newborn care, with most students averaging 10-12 deliveries. Psychiatry can include working 1:1 with a psychiatrist in several venues and also working with Masters level counselors including adolescent and adult group visits. Surgical opportunities include first assisting on C-sections, general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and other cases as they come up through student patient panels. Endoscopy, echos, and stress testing participation is available with Dr. Natalie Beyeler, IM. Students follow their own admissions with IM, FM, and Pediatric faculty, and can round on interesting cases as they arise. Ambulatory practice is weighted towards pediatrics, adult medicine, and obstetrics with less urgent care. We encourage students to spend the last month of their rotation with Dr. Mary Loeb in Talkeetna at the community health center, Sunshine Cinic, during the climbing and tourist season.

Housing:
Student housing in Wasilla can be tailored to individual needs, but currently has been offered at the home of Barb and Joel Wattum with a separate "mother-in-law" apartment with wireless internet and TV. Located near a lake and small airport with safe areas for skiing and running. Dogs are welcome at this site and visitors can be accomodated.

Directions:
Palmer/ Wasilla: 40 miles NE of Anchorage on Glenn HWY; Wasilla: Head east from Palmer on Palmer Wasilla HWY (5 minutes). There is a four-lane highway between Anchorage and Wasilla. To see a map of where we are located and/or get directions from other locations, go to maps.google.com (for directions, click "Get Directions" in the upper left-hand corner where you can input the starting address).

Air Transportation: Most major carriers to Anchorage.

Eateries:
Vagabond Blues 907-745-2233; Motherlode Lodge at Hatcher Pass 907-232-9648, Gold Miner’s Hotel/Denali Steakhouse 907-745-6160; Best Western Lake Lucille Inn 907-373-1776; Peking Garden 907-376-4919; Mat-Su Resort 907-376-3278; Great Bear Brewing Co 907-373-4782; Vagabond Blues 907-745-2233.  

Lodging:
AK Private Lodgings 907-258-1717; Tara Dells B&B 907-745-0407; Best Western Lake Lucille Inn 907-373-1776; Grand View Inn & Suites & Restaurant 907-357-7666

Extracurricular Activities: http://www.juneau.org/visitors/index.php#sights Matanuska-Susitna Valley’s major attractions and events include: Mt. McKinley Knik Glacier Matanuska Glacier Denali State Park Alaska State Fair Colony Days Musk Ox Farm Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Independence State Mine Historical Park numerous museums and visitor centers   Many recreational activities are available including: hiking snowmobiling hunting fishing cross-country ski trails downhill ski area are 20 minutes from the clinic

Weather Trends:
Summer daytime temperatures range between 60-80F with daylight extending until often past midnight. The winter temperatures range between 19-30F with darkness often descending before 5:00 p.m.