BOISE, Idaho — In a heartwarming tale of love, ambition and homecoming, two southwest Idaho natives have defied the odds.
After meeting in medical school at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI), falling in love and pursuing their dreams the couple has now returned to their roots in a rare twist of fate.
"We met studying a lot during [our] first year, we stumbled upon an open study table and we're just like, hey, we got this exam in a couple days, you want to go over some things," Dr. Colt Merges said.
Dr. Merges and Dr. Maggie Wilkins, both raised in the rolling hills of southwest Idaho, found themselves drawn to each other during their rigorous medical training.
"We've done rotations in Alaska together, in Seattle, Tacoma, a lot in Idaho," Dr. Merges said. "We did our family medicine rotation, and we got to work alongside together and just keep growing in our love together."
Little did they know, their shared passion for healing would not only lead to a successful career but also to a deep personal connection.
"Doing late nights with coffee and tea," said Dr. Merges. "Writing things up on the whiteboard, studying and then did a lot of things together in our free time."
In an unusual turn of events, both doctors were selected to their top choice residency program right here in the Gem State.
"I was shaking so bad. I couldn't even open my envelope, but it was just a huge weight lifted off of our chest that we were going to be together and in a place in a program that we were thrilled to be a part of," Dr. Wilkins said.
This remarkable occurrence has brought the talented duo back to serve the community that shaped them, ready to give back to the place they've always called home.
"I love being from Idaho, Idaho is my home," Dr. Wilkins said.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, 60% of physicians end up practicing where they complete their residency. That's why Dr. Moe Hagman, the program director for the Boise Internal Medicine Residency, said this match is a big deal because one, its unbelievable they both matched to the same residency, two, the state gains two new physicians and three, Colt and Maggie can start their married life together in the community where they were raised.