The Rural and Underserved Utah Training Experience (RUUTE)and Regional Affairs program has as its mission to improve the medical education of clinical workers in providing healthcare to rural and underserved groups in Utah. As part of this mission, RUUTE selects recipients of the RUUTE-Y award to recognize individuals who go above and beyond in furthering RUUTE's goals. In February, the recipient of the RUUTE-Y was Family Medicine Academic Coordinator Cayla Sanelli.
"As the clerkship coordinator for family medicine, Cayla spends time with each individual student to understand their needs and desires for the clerkship to ensure they have an exceptional learning experience across the state of Utah and throughout the Intermountain West," reads the announcement letter, sent to RUUTE program participants in February. "Cayla spends a significant amount of time building relationships with community preceptors and clinics to offer UUSOM medical students as many opportunities in the state of Utah, Idaho, and beyond during their clerkship experience. Cayla embodies all aspects of the UUSOM’s medical education mission by purposefully educating physicians, serving rural and underserved communities, and fostering a culture of belonging. Medical students and the greater School of Medicine are incredibly lucky to work alongside Cayla and learn from her kindness and dedication."
Cayla's exceptional service to the program comes amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, making her personal touch even more remarkable. We echo the RUUTE and Regional Affairs team in acknowledging that DFPM, the RUUTE program, and the School of Medicine is fortunate to have her as a colleague.