Ruth Westra, DO, MPH
Associate Professor Emerita, Department of Family Medicine and BioBehavioral Health

Contact Info
Associate Professor Emerita, Department of Family Medicine and BioBehavioral Health
Mt. Clemens General Hospital
DO, Des Moines University
MPH, Loma Linda University
Summary
Before joining the Duluth Campus in 2001, she also practiced full scope family medicine with obstetrics in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. She was the Assistant Chief of Medical Services for Primary Care at the Iron Mountain VAMC in Iron Mountain, Michigan. She was the Medical Clinic Coordinator at the Twin Ports VA Outpatient Clinic in Superior, Wisconsin. Dr. Westra was also the former department head of Family Medicine & Biobehavioral Health.
Expertise
Academic medicine, preventive health, health promotion and education, women’s health, rural medicine
Research
Research Summary/Interests
OB Longitudinal Experiences; Rural Medicine; Medical School Curriculum Development
Research Funding Grants
2011-16, HRSA, PI, "Rural Medical Scholars Program"
Publications
Pearson J, Westra R. Early course in obstetrics increases likelihood of practice including obstetrics. Fam Med. 2016;48(9):720-724.
Carlson S, Dresow B, Murugappan M, ...Westra R, Christensen R, et al. Impact of crisis prevention training on student confidence in patient encounters. Journal of Student-Run Clinics. 2016 Sep 30 [last modified: 2016 Sep 30]. Edition 1.
Westra R, Pearson J. Obstetrics Longitudinal Course. MedEdPORTAL Publications. 2016. Available at: https://www.mededportal.org/publication/10353. Accessed October 25, 2016.
Zink T, Center B, Finstad D, Boulger JG, Repesh LA, Westra R, et al. Efforts to graduate more primary care physicians and physicians who will practice in rural areas: Examining outcomes from the University of Minnesota Duluth and Rural Physician Associate Program. Academic Medicine. 2010;85(4):599-604.
Westra R, Lange M, Vidor N. HOPE Clinic: Caring for the underserved. Minnesota Healthcare News. 2009;7(10):22-23.
Westra R, Lange M, Vidor N. HOPE Clinic: Caring for the underserved. Minnesota Physician. 2009;XXIII(3):1,12-13.
Elliott BA, Westra R. Reproductive health care in rural communities: Ethical considerations. In: Nelson WA, ed. Handbook for Rural Health Care Ethics: A Practical Guide for Professionals. Hanover, NH: Dartmouth College; 2009.
Teaching
Courses
Course Director for Introduction to Rural Family Medicine & Native American Health Care 6420
Course Director Medical Education through Diversity and Service (MEDS) Elective
Course Director for Obstetrical Longitudinal Elective 6987
Course Director for Rural Academy of Leadership Elective
Clinical Course Director for Skin/Musculoskeletal Course
Clinical Course Director for Gi Course
Clinical Faculty for the Learning Community small group teaching in all course blocks including physical exam skills, physical diagnostic skills and simulation.
Clinical Faculty for Community Clinical Medicine (CCM) 6441/6442
Rural Physician Associate Program Faculty
Clinical
Board Certifications
Board Certified, American Board of Osteopathic Family Physicians