Why Physicians Should Practice Medicine in North Dakota

North Dakota might be too rural for some, but for family medicine physician Aaron Garman, who practices at Coal County Community Health Center in Beulah, N.D., in the western part of the state, it’s the perfect place for outdoorsy types and a hub for great patients. 

What do you enjoy about practicing in North Dakota?

I like practicing medicine in North Dakota because of the kind-hearted, friendly people that live in this state. We have a thriving economy and despite this still maintain a small town, rural feel throughout the state.

What, if anything, do you dislike about practicing in North Dakota?

There are very few negatives in practicing medicine in North Dakota. One of the negatives is the difference in reimbursement based on rural geography. Additionally, at times you do feel a bit isolated from the bigger centers of healthcare. Having few docs in a rural area means that we lack colleagues to bounce things off of. Also, since we don't see our specialty colleagues on a daily basis, we lose track of new advances in their specialty. Grand rounds at a larger hospital or CME lectures [at lunchtime] are hard to come by in rural North Dakota. 

If you could practice medicine in any other state, where would it be and why?

If I had to leave and practice in a different state I would probably choose Minnesota. Not necessarily due to the medical practice but rather due to family location and the ability to hunt and fish.

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