ROCKPORT — Pen Bay Medical Center welcomes Katelyn Ward and Jaspar Abu-Jaber, third-year medical students enrolled in the Maine Track program of Tufts University School of Medicine. They will spend the next nine months rotating through the departments of internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, women’s health and psychiatry.

Katelyn Ward is a sixth-generation Mainer from the small town of Dedham, in eastern Maine. She received her B.A. in the biological basis of behavior from the University of Pennsylvania. She has an educational and research background in health policy and healthcare access. She gained clinical experience working as an emergency medical technician (EMT) just outside of Philadelphia.

Ward enjoys skiing, rock climbing and coaching gymnastics.

“The reason I chose Pen Bay Medical Center is that I will be getting a lot of hands on experience,” said Ward, in a news release.

Jaspar Abu-Jaber, of Natick, Mass., earned his B.S. in neuroscience from the University of Southern California. After graduating, he moved to Alamosa, Colo., to volunteer at a homeless shelter, food bank and housing nonprofit, and he worked in the local emergency department.

According to Abu-Jaber, his time in Colorado inspired his interest in rural medicine.

“I hope to work in a rural area in the future and am interested in figuring out systems that can provide all the care that rural areas need,” said Abu-Jaber, in the release.

He enjoys rock climbing and bicycling.

This is the fifth year Pen Bay Medical Center has hosted Tufts students as part of the university’s Maine Track program for students committed to a career in rural medicine.

“This unique program provides students with the opportunity to work at clinical sites throughout Maine and leaves them well prepared – and inspired – to practice in a rural setting, said Pen Bay, in the release. “Maine Track students receive a combined diploma from the Tufts School of Medicine and Maine Medical Center, and many stay to practice medicine in Maine.”