KBIC donation supports medical training

A gift from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) has allowed the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Upper Peninsula Region (MSU College of Human Medicine U.P. Region) has purchased specialized equipment to expand hands-on training capabilities. MSU College of Human Medicine U.P. Region is a medical education collaborative between the MSU College of Human Medicine and Marquette General Health System.

The donated funds have been used to purchase of a shoulder injection model, pelvic exam training model and obstetrics probe. This new equipment will provide valuable teaching opportunities for family medicine residents at the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program and MSU College of Human Medicine medical students training at the Upper Peninsula campus as they prepare to care for a rural population of patients.

“The KBIC’s support of our program has been tremendous,” said Bill Short, MD, chief executive officer and community assistant dean of MSU College of Human Medicine U.P. Region. “We are so pleased that they are aligned with our mission to educate well-qualified resident physicians and medical students, many of whom will go on to care for the people of the Upper Peninsula.”

Steroid injections are often used to treat patients with injuries or arthritis. The shoulder injection model simulates soft tissue and indicates when the needle is correctly positioned into the joint. By practicing on this realistic model, the residents and medical students have the opportunity to hone their skills which will be a great benefit to their future patients.

As future family medicine specialists, residents will be treating the whole patient, including providing obstetric and gynecologic care. The pelvic exam training model and obstetrics probe will be valuable training tools that will provide these residents and medical students experience prior to treating actual patients.

The training model allows for participants to further their understanding of a variety of different medical conditions. This training will help them to determine which medical interventions should be utilized given the specifics of the case.

A similar KBIC gift last year allowed the MSU College of Human Medicine U.P. Region to purchase simulation equipment that is now widely utilized by the residents and medical students.

“Many graduates of the MSU College of Human Medicine Upper Peninsula Region programs choose to remain in the U.P. to care for our rural population,” said Warren Swartz, KBIC Tribal Council President. “The KBIC strongly supports giving them the best possible training tools to equip them with the skills and knowledge they will need for their future practices.”