Rural Observation Experience (ROE)

Applications Open - Monday, May 18, 2026

Rural Observation Experience

Applications for the Rural Observation Experience open on May 18, 2026!

The Rural Observation Experience (ROE) is a 2-3 day shadowing experience with a rural family physician. Students see firsthand 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 that there are not enough site placements available, a lottery will be held to determine participation. 

2026 Dates

  • May 18: Application opens
  • June 15: Student applications due / application closes
  • July 8: Students will be matched and notified after the application closes; all site placements will be announced by this date
  • July 9: Virtual Orientation, 12–1 p.m. (Attendance is required to participate in ROE)
  • July 13 - August 16: Timeframe for your 2–3 day shadowing experience. Specific dates will be confirmed with your assigned site and are dependent on completing all required onboarding. 

2026 Sites (Updated as sites confirm availability - last updated 5.18.26)

* = 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
  • Benson, MN*
  • Cambridge, MN**
  • Canby, MN*
  • Cannon Falls, MN*
  • Grand Rapids, MN* 
  • Hibbing, MN**
  • Hutchinson, MN**
  • Luverne, MN*
  • Marshall, MN*
  • Montevideo, MN*
  • Moose Lake, MN*
  • New Prague, MN*
  • North Branch, MN**
  • Perham, MN**
  • Red Wing, MN*
  • Staples, MN*
  • Wadena, MN*
  • Willmar, MN**
  • Windom, MN*
  • Winona, MN**

Historical ROE Site Availability

Expand all

Historical ROE Site Availability

2025 Sites

2025 ROE Sites
* = 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
  • Aitkin, MN
  • Alexandria, MN*
  • Baxter, MN*
  • Bayfield, WI*
  • Bigfork, MN*
  • Canby, MN*
  • Chisago City, MN**
  • Glenwood, MN
  • Grand Rapids, MN**
  • Hibbing, MN**
  • Hugo, MN**
  • Hutchinson, MN*
  • Long Prairie, MN**
  • Luverne, MN*
  • Marshall, MN*
  • Melrose, MN
  • Montevideo, MN*
  • Moose Lake, MN*
  • Mora, MN*
  • New Prague, MN*
  • North Branch, MN**
  • Perham, MN*
  • Pipestone, MN*
  • Redwood Falls, MN*
  • Roseau, MN
  • Sauk Centre, MN
  • Thief River Falls, MN*
  • Wabasha, MN*
  • Wadena, MN*
  • Willmar, MN*
  • Windom, MN*
  • Wyoming, MN**

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]