WWAMI Stories and Student Features

Dr. Megan Ritter can trace her interest in medicine back to a single book she read in third grade.  “I read a book called The Great Doctors and was fascinated by the mixture of science and humanity,” she said. “The stories of Drs. Harvey, Jenner, Lister and others left a lasting impression and ignited my interest in the science […]

Three University of Washington School of Medicine students—Catherine Chia, Alice Sohn and Briana Martin-Villa—rolled up their sleeves to volunteer at Protect Those Who Protect Us: Wildfire Firefighter Skin Cancer Screening Pilot Project, held on June 20, 2026. The event was organized by Dr. Zed Zha, a family medicine physician who also completed a dermatology fellowship, […]

For first-year Alaska WWAMI students Kunkun Wang and Nickolas McVay, a new partnership with Special Olympics Alaska has created opportunities to serve athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities while developing skills they will carry into their future careers as physicians.  The initiative began when Special Olympics Alaska reached out to the University of Washington’s Service-Learning […]

For Alaska WWAMI Foundations faculty member Dr. Carol Paredes, the first year of medical school is about more than building scientific knowledge. It’s about helping students become compassionate physicians. She believes great doctors earn their patients’ trust through empathy, respect and genuine listening. “One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is partnering with first-year […]

  Last month, five Alaska WWAMI graduates were recognized during the University of Washington School of Medicine’s (UWSOM’s) 32nd annual Traditional Blanket Ceremony. The annual celebration honors Indigenous graduating medical students and those who completed the Indian Health Pathway. Held in Seattle, the ceremony celebrated graduates’ achievements and their commitment to serving Indigenous communities. Among […]

“My path to this research is a funny one: it was an accident.” That’s how Alaska WWAMI first-year Joren Bowling describes landing at the center of an international research project examining the risks and challenges of delivering healthcare on the Moon. But the accident, as he tells it, was years in the making. A long […]

Dr. Megan Kasper is described as one of the most impactful Idaho physicians WWAMI students have worked with during medical school. WWAMI student Riley Lehmann praised her commitment to teaching, patient care and creating meaningful learning experiences. That impact earned Dr. Kasper, an obstetrician-gynecologist with Grace Women’s Health and St. Luke’s Health System, an Idaho […]

Third-year WWAMI student Abhinav Janappareddi described Dr. Tyler Birch as “one of the best physicians I have worked with so far,” praising his ability to teach, motivate and challenge learners during an outpatient internal medicine rotation. His impact on medical students earned Dr. Birch, an internal medicine physician at St. Luke’s Clinic in Meridian, an […]

The impact of a great teacher can last a lifetime. Through his mentorship, encouragement and commitment to medical education, Dr. Justin Woodlief has helped Idaho WWAMI students build the skills and confidence needed to grow into future physicians, earning him an Idaho WWAMI Excellence in Teaching Award. Through his teaching and patient-centered care, Dr. Woodlief […]

Forty Idaho WWAMI students celebrated the culmination of their medical school journey during the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Physician’s Oath and Hooding Ceremony on May 22nd in Seattle. The Class of 2026 included five Targeted Rural and Underserved Track (TRUST) scholars, reflecting Idaho WWAMI’s commitment to preparing physicians to serve rural and underserved […]