In rural America, doctors like Dr. Banu Symington in Wyoming are struggling to practice medicine amid growing mistrust, misinformation, and political hostility. Patients often reject vaccines and embrace conspiracy theories, sometimes directing verbal abuse at physicians trying to protect their health. These tensions worsen an already critical doctor shortage, as fewer medical professionals, especially foreign-trained doctors are willing or able to work in such areas due to restrictive policies. Local physicians like Dr. Jennifer Bacani McKenney also face racism and bias, which discourage new, diverse doctors from rural practice. Despite these challenges, many doctors persist, focusing on patient education and open dialogue to rebuild trust and ensure that science and compassion remain central to rural healthcare. Read More