Walter “Jerry” Saunders, M.D. Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Fred Araas, M.D.
EST. 2015
Please address your letter to:
Dr. Saunders
Dr. Saunders was born in Laramie, Wyoming in 1941 and had the opportunity to live in many areas of the state. He graduated as valedictorian from Upton High School in 1959 and attended the University of Wyoming for three years prior to being accepted into medical school. Dr. Saunders graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1966, completed an internship in Internal Medicine in 1967 and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1973 at the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Saunders opened a solo OB/GYN practice in Sheridan, Wyoming in 1973. His practice expanded to four physicians within a few years. He retired from private practice in 2000, and in 2007, he was asked by the University of Wyoming to be the Director of Medical Education, a position he held for three years. In this role, he was in charge of the Wyoming WWAMI site and the two Family Medicine residencies located in Cheyenne and Casper. During his time on the faculty at the University of Wyoming, he also served on the admissions committee for the WWAMI program. He also was a University Trustee from 1991-2003.
In 1988, the Wyoming Medical Society recognized Dr. Saunders for his commitment to community service. And in 2007, he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus at the University of Wyoming.
Dr. Saunders established this scholarship in honor of Dr. Fred Araas who was a family physician in Sheridan, Wyoming when Dr. Saunders first moved there. He attributes the success of his practice to Dr. Araas, who turned over to Dr. Saunders his OB/GYN practice shortly after his arrival. Dr. Saunders says, “Fred was one of the most ethical physicians I’ve ever met. His ego was never in the way of doing what was right for his patients. If the scholarship imparts to a recipient any of Fred’s qualities, he or she will be an outstanding physician.”
Dr. Saunders also shared, “I’ve had an abiding interest in WWAMI since we first considered it while I was on the Board of Trustees for the University of Wyoming. I am honored to be able to do my part toward facilitating a medical education for a deserving Wyoming student.”