Student loan repayment helps family med doc provide newborn care services in rural community

Thanks to Dr. Bryce Barton, families in Central Utah can rest a little easier knowing they have access to comprehensive primary care services. As a physician at Gunnison Valley Hospital and awardee of the Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program, Barton serves the community by providing labor and delivery, inpatient medicine, newborn care, clinical services, and emergency room care. 

“As a family practitioner in a rural community, I get to watch families grow,” Barton said.

Barton is passionate about his work, especially providing newborn care to community members. One newborn patient he treated was less than the first percentile for weight. The mother insisted on only breastfeeding and had expressed distrust of medicine and government recommendations. Barton invested several months in building trust with the family. He provided options and suggestions so that the parents could make informed decisions. After a few months of counseling and relationship building, the mother tried some alternatives, and the baby gained healthy weight. 

Barton didn’t always want to go into medicine. He started school in engineering at Snow College, but quickly realized his motivation was to make an impact on people. He took an anatomy class and that’s when he decided he should go into healthcare.

“I like putting people’s minds at ease,” Barton said. “I’m a parent, I know what it’s like to be up at night, concerned for your loved one. I like giving people hope and direction.”