A Day in the Life of a Rural Family Medicine Resident - Elkhorn, WI

What’s it like to train as a family medicine resident in rural Wisconsin? For Kristin Tomcheck, the journey began with a passion for science and patient care, first sparked during her time as a CNA in high school. Today, she’s a resident in the Aurora Rural Family Medicine Residency, serving communities where access to care matters most. Kristin’s days start early, filled with clinic visits, patient interactions, and hands-on procedural training. The program’s community-based model offers close mentorship from faculty and exposure to both rural and urban healthcare systems. With training opportunities in Elkhorn and Milwaukee, Kristin gains experience across outpatient, inpatient, OB, and emergency care settings. For Kristin, rural medicine is about building lasting relationships with patients, managing complex cases with limited resources, and becoming a trusted provider in the community. Her story reflects the heart of rural residency: learning, serving, and growing where she’s needed most. About WCRGME: The Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural Graduate Medical Education (WCRGME) is a network of organizations established to address the shortage of rural primary care physicians. We develop and support residency rotations, training programs, and fellowships. By expanding access to rural graduate medical education (GME), we’re training rural doctors for rural people. Website: https://www.wcrgme.org/ Instagram:   / wcrgme   LinkedIn:   / wcrgme   YouTube:    / @wcrgme6249