The Idaho WWAMI Program provides medical education and training to students, residents, and practicing physicians throughout the vast state of Idaho. Eighteen Idaho WWAMI students complete their first year of medical training at the University of Idaho’s Moscow campus, sharing resources and faculty with the joint program at Washington State University in Pullman. WWAMI, the University of Washington’s regional medical program, allows first year medical students to train in their home state, increasing their familiarity with the healthcare needs of their region and state, and increasing the likelihood that students will select further training or practice opportunities in Idaho, once their training is complete.
After completing their second year of training at the medical school in Seattle, WWAMI students have the opportunity to return and complete their clinical training requirements in Idaho. These clinical rotations are coordinated through the University of Washington School of Medicine WWAMI (Idaho) Office for Clinical Medical Education in Boise. Following receipt of their M.D. degree, University of Washington School of Medicine graduates have the opportunity to apply to the three primary care residencies in Idaho. In addition to these formal training programs, Idaho physicians have opportunities for informal continuing medical education through seminars, programs, consultations, or academic affiliations with the UW School of Medicine through its Idaho WWAMI program.
The WWAMI Medical Program is committed to helping prepare physicians for primary care practice, regardless of eventual sub-specialty selection, and to increasing the number of physicians who choose to practice in rural or underserved areas. There is also a strong commitment to the partnership between excellence in research and teaching in medical education. Cutting-edge research prepares the next generation of doctors to be well informed and at the forefront of clinical medical practice. The WWAMI faculty at the University of Idaho and the clinical faculty for clerkships in Boise, Pocatello, Coeur d’Alene, and Idaho Falls, and our rural training communities, are committed to being both dynamic teachers and informed biomedical scholars.
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For a summary of Idaho WWAMI Office activities, download the
Idaho WWAMI Executive Summary (PDF 1.4 MG). Be aware that this is a large file!
Independent Investigative Inquiry is a graduation requirement for all students, intended to give students in-depth knowledge of health related issues through independent research. The Idaho WWAMI office facilitates projects being conducted by students in Idaho.
Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (R/UOP): UW medical students can spend four to six weeks at a rural site in Idaho between their first and second year of schooling. Coordination of the placement of students as well as developing new sites is done cooperatively between the University of Idaho WWAMI Medical Education Program and the WWAMI (Idaho) Office for Clinical Medical Education.
Idaho Track: The Idaho Track makes it possible for medical students to complete all of their third-year clerkship requirements as well as their fourth-year requirements and electives in Idaho. An
Idaho Track handout can be downloaded here (PDF 319 k). Are you already an "Idaho Tracker?" Check out the
Idaho Track Insider's Guide (PDF 674 k).
WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience (WRITE): A 20-week rural medical experience offered to third-year medical students. Idaho’s sites include Sandpoint, McCall, and Hailey. The office develops and maintains the WRITE sites, curriculum, and evaluation recommended by the WRITE Steering Committee.
A brochure describing WRITE in Idaho (PDF 348 k) can be downloaded here. For a full WRITE program catalogue visit http://depts.washington.edu/write.
Housing: Housing is provided by required clerkships to visiting WWAMI students. We assist the University of Washington Idaho Clerkship Coordinators with coordination of medical student housing. The office also works with the Idaho Track students and the University of Washington Alumni Office on housing needs when returning to Seattle.
Clinical Electives: WWAMI students can complete many electives in Idaho. The office continues to develop new electives and required electives as student interest demands.
Idaho WWAMI Mini Medical School: Educational series designed for the general public. By focusing on a disease, classic instruction received by medical students, recent technical advances in medicine and new approaches to patient’s involvement in their own care are discussed. Collaborate with Idaho’s health related organizations.
Seminars in Clinical Medicine: A series of interactive seminars presented by area, regional, and University of Washington physicians is held each Thursday afternoon September through May for all medical students in Boise, Idaho. We schedule lecturers, coordinate topics, and distribute the calendar of events to the medical students and their respective clerkship coordinators.
Support Services: Students in Idaho may receive Career Counseling, residency application support, Match Day guidance, elective scheduling, and personal counseling. The WWAMI (Idaho) Office for Clinical Medical Education facilitates student support services.
Family Medicine Residency Network Family Practice Residency of Idaho - FPRI Rural Training Track - Idaho State University Family Practice Residency Program: Three-year graduate training programs specialized in family practice training. The WWAMI (Idaho) Office for Clinical Medical Education facilitates the relationship between the family practice residencies through the program directors and the University of Washington Family Practice Residency Network.
Internal Medicine Residency Program Boise and Seattle: A shared primary care internal medicine residency program with Seattle. We assist in the development of new ambulatory care rotations in Idaho.
Idaho Area Health Education Center (Idaho AHEC): Idaho AHEC is nonprofit corporation offering organizations, providers, and communities educational and technical support to initiate and/or enhance health and human services to Idaho’s vulnerable populations. The office and the Idaho AHEC office collaborates together to develop new programs focused on medical education.
Idaho Pre-Med Programs: Idaho’s Colleges and University Pre-Med Counselors and Students. Summer primary care shadowing programs and Pre-Med Summit. This office works closely with Idaho’s undergraduate college and university premedical advisors and the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians, matching physicians with interested undergraduate students for a 3-day observational experience during the summer. The WWAMI (Idaho) Office for Clinical Medical Education developed an Advisory committee to design and implement the second Idaho Pre-Med Summit. The Summit educates both advisors and students on the specifics of applying to medical school as well as allied health professions.
An Idaho WWAMI brochure can be downloaded here (PDF 197 k).
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Contact us for additional information.