Rural Observation Experience (ROE)

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Applications for the Rural Observation Experience open on May 19, 2025!

The Rural Observation Experience (ROE) is a 2-3 day shadowing experience with a rural family physician. Students see first-hand the rewards and challenges of rural medicine. 

Any incoming first-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, St. Cloud, or Twin Cities campus, may apply. 

There are no prerequisites. We make every effort to place every student who applies, but in the event where there are not enough site placements available, a lottery will be held to determine participation. 

2025 Dates

  • May 19 - Application opens
  • June 16 - Student applications due/Application closes
  • July 9 - Students will be matched/notified after the application closes, all site placements announced by July 9
  • July 11 - Virtual Orientation, noon-1pm (*Must attend orientation to participate in ROE)
  • July 14 - August 17 - Timeframe for your 2-3 day shadowing experience

2025 Sites (Updated as sites confirm availability)

* = site provides housing options or accommodations at a hosting physician's home
** = site prefers if the student has their own housing or lives near the community
  • Alexandria, MN*
  • Baxter, MN*
  • Bayfield, WI*
  • Bigfork, MN*
  • Canby, MN*
  • Chisago, MN**
  • Grand Rapids, MN**
  • Hibbing, MN**
  • Hugo, MN**
  • Hutchinson, MN*
  • Long Prairie, MN**
  • Luverne, MN*
  • Marshall, MN*
  • Montevideo, MN*
  • Moose Lake, MN*
  • Mora, MN*
  • New Prague, MN*
  • North Branch, MN**
  • Perham, MN*
  • Pipestone, MN*
  • Redwood Falls, MN*
  • Thief River Falls, MN*
  • Wabasha, MN*
  • Wadena, MN*
  • Willmar, MN*
  • Windom, MN*
  • Wyoming, MN**

Historical ROE Site Availability

Expand all

Historical ROE Site Availability

2024 Sites

2024 ROE Sites

* = site has housing option/hosting physician's home
** = site prefers if student has own housing/lives near community and has own housing
  • Aitkin, MN*
  • Bayfield, WI*
  • Benson, MN*
  • Blue Earth, MN*
  • Canby, MN*
  • Cannon Falls, MN*
  • Chisago City*
  • Fairmont*
  • Hibbing, MN**
  • Lake City, MN*
  • Long Prairie, MN*
  • Luverne, MN*
  • Marshall, MN**
  • Melrose, MN
  • Montevideo, MN*
  • Moose Lake, MN*
  • Mora, MN*
  • New Prague, MN*
  • New Ulm, MN*
  • North Brand, MN*
  • Onamia, MN*
  • Perham, MN*
  • Pipestone, MN*
  • Red Wing, MN*
  • Sauk Centre, MN*
  • Shell Lake, WI*
  • Thief River Falls, MN**
  • Tyler, MN**
  • Wyoming, MN*

2023 Sites

2023 ROE Sites

* = site has housing option/hosting physician's home
** = site prefers if student has own housing/lives near community and has own housing
  • Ashland, WI*
  • Austin*
  • Bayfield*
  • Benson*
  • Big Fork*
  • Blue Earth*
  • Buffalo*
  • Cambridge / Isanti**
  • Canby*
  • Eau Claire, WI*
  • Faribault*
  • Glencoe*
  • Grand Rapids*
  • Granite Falls*
  • Hibbing**
  • Hutchinson*
  • Lake City*
  • Luverne*
  • Marshall*
  • Montevideo*
  • Moose Lake*
  • Mora*
  • New Prague*
  • New Ulm*
  • North Branch**
  • Onamia*
  • Perham*
  • Pipestone*
  • Princeton*
  • Roseau**
  • St. James*
  • Staples*
  • Thief River Falls*
  • Two Harbors**
  • Wabasha**
  • Winona**

Contact

Office: 612-624-3111
E-mail: [email protected]