Libby Clinic medical student glad to be serving in Montana

Libby Clinic is welcoming a new medical student for a few months, and she is glad to be back in her home state.

Demetra Heinrich, a third-year student at the University of Washington, is in Libby for six months of outpatient work as part of the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho (WWAMI) regional medical-education program.

Heinrich, from Butte, sees much of the same things she loves about her hometown in Libby.

“It has striking similarities with Butte,” she said. “The mining history and everything.”

She is glad she got to study somewhere mountainous.

“As a rule, I avoid eastern Montana.”

Heinrich graduated from Butte High and got her undergraduate degree at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. There she met her future husband, Chris.

After college, the couple went to Kenya, to the city of Nakuru, with the International Humanities Foundation for 10 months. Heinrich recalls it as “challenging.” 

After returning from Africa, the Heinrichs went to Seattle for graduate school  and as part of the WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience (WRITE) ended up in Libby, assisted by Libby Clinic’s own liaison to the student-doctors, Susie Rice.

Although Heinrich hasn’t been in Libby long, she has found some things to occupy her little free time.

“My first day I went on a walk down the Kootenai River,” Heinrich said. “I made it down to the falls.”

Heinrich is also a voracious reader, and especially loves historical fiction. Although she has trouble picking a hands-down favorite book, “The Brothers K” by David James Duncan is one she took to Africa and one that means quite a bit to her.

Her husband remained in Seattle, working with young addicts in an in-patient facility, while Heinrich is getting her six-month rotation at the Libby Clinic.

While Heinrich still is deciding what direction she wants her career to take, women’s health, public health and global health are attractive options for her. 

As for where she wants to practice?

“Long term? Montana,” Heinrich said. “I’m just trying to find the right size.”