Submitted by Ryma Lindquist, WWH
BALDWIN, WI – Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) is honored to welcome two medical students, Matthew Marcou and Kaylynn Imsande, to our care team as part of a new clinical training partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin – Central Wisconsin (MCW-CW). This is the first year that WWH has been selected as a clinical site for the program, expanding the organization’s commitment to training future physicians and addressing healthcare needs in rural communities.
MCW-Central Wisconsin, based in Wausau, is one of two satellite campuses of the Medical College of Wisconsin and offers an accelerated three-year MD program designed to prepare physicians to serve in rural and medically underserved areas of Wisconsin. With a class size of only 20 students, compared to a national average of around 150, the program provides a more hands-on and personalized approach to medical education. Students complete their classroom instruction during their first year before beginning clinical rotations across the state in their second year.
“This is a really exciting opportunity,” shared Matthew Marcou. “Some of our classmates are completing rotations in Wausau, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Stevens Point, and other locations, but Baldwin is a brand-new site for the program. I’m thrilled to be one of the first students here and to learn from the talented team at Western Wisconsin Health.”
Both Marcou and Imsande will be completing their second-year clinical rotations at WWH through June 2026, after which they will begin their third year of medical school with elective rotations.
Born in Madison and raised in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, Matthew Marcou knew early on that he wanted a career in healthcare. His path was shaped by his experience as an EMT, first as a volunteer in Fitchburg and later with the EMS service in Belleville, a small rural town southwest of Madison.
Marcou earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2021 and is now in his second year of medical school. He hopes to specialize in emergency medicine but remains open to exploring other fields.
A native of Menomonie, Wisconsin, Kaylynn Imsande’s interest in medicine was sparked in high school after undergoing leg surgery.
“I was really nervous, but my orthopedic surgeon took the time to talk me through everything and helped me feel so much more comfortable,” Imsande shared. “I thought it was amazing that he was able to both fix the problem and ease my worries. That’s what I want to do for others.”
Imsande graduated from Menomonie High School in 2019 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from UW–Madison in 2022. Looking ahead, she is particularly interested in OBGYN and family medicine with a focus on women’s health, though she’s excited to explore a range of specialties during her rotations.
When she completes medical school, Imsande plans to practice in Wisconsin, drawn to the strong sense of community and the small-town lifestyle of northwestern Wisconsin.
“Programs like this are essential to addressing the physician shortage and ensuring that rural areas have access to high-quality healthcare for generations to come.” said Eilidh Pederson, CEO of Western Wisconsin Health. “Hosting Marcou and Imsande marks an exciting new chapter for Western Wisconsin Health as we deepen our involvement in medical education and rural workforce development.” By partnering with MCW-Central Wisconsin, WWH is helping train the next generation of physicians who are passionate about serving rural Wisconsin communities.
