Program is helping to fix Idaho's doctor shortage

Editor:

 When I moved to Idaho 22 years ago, I found I had a lot to learn. 

 I had heard of WWAMI from Wyoming classmates in residency, but I never really understood it. 

 I have been amazed to learn of this longstanding cooperative relationship that keeps Idaho students connected to Idaho, increasing their likelihood of practicing here when they finish their training.

 WWAMI is a community-based, high-quality partnership between the University of Washington School of Medicine and rural Western states, including Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. 

 For the past 46 years, WWAMI-Idaho has educated up to 40 University of Idaho first-year medical students in Moscow each year – doubling the number of students training in Idaho since 2008.  

 At any given time, there are more than 100 student-doctors involved with WWAMI and affiliated programs in Idaho.

 During their second year of training, Idaho medical students spend a semester in Seattle at the internationally renowned UW, ranked number one for rural medicine. 

 During their third and fourth years, over half the students return to Idaho for clinical rotations, mainly in rural communities. After graduation, students begin their residency, supervised by a practicing physician.

 This year, we have a Weiser graduate, Lucia Carbajal, studying in Moscow as a UW first year med student. That makes me so excited.

 Tanner Nash, son of our ER physician Tory Nash, is also studying there also as a second year student. While he’s not a Weiser native, it still makes me excited.

 I think it’s important for Idahoans to realize what a huge benefit Idaho WWAMI is. 

 This amazing program helps to fill our doctor shortage, allows Idaho students access to an established, world class medical education, and keeps them connected to their home state. Wow! I am honored to participate in this amazing program

Lore Wootton MD

Weiser