When Dr. Casey Glenn set out to become a physician, his goal was always to return to Idaho. Now, as an emergency medicine doctor at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, he’s doing exactly that, caring for the communities that helped shape him.
“While completing my medical education, it became increasingly apparent to me that Idaho faced a critical need for more physicians, especially in rural and underserved areas,” Glenn said. “Returning to Idaho was important, not only because of my deep love for the state, but also because of the opportunity to serve the people who make up its heart and soul, from generational farmers and blue-collar workers to business owners.”
Dr. Glenn is one of many Idaho WWAMI graduates who have returned to practice in their home state. With Idaho facing one of the most severe physician shortages in the country, their contributions are vital to expanding access to care across the Gem State.
“My education with Idaho WWAMI has been invaluable and has truly shaped me into the physician I am today,” he said.
As a TRUST scholar, Dr. Glenn trained longitudinally in Hailey, Idaho, building lasting clinical relationships and providing consistent patient care.
“From the beginning, I benefited from the close-knit group of 40 students in Moscow and the unique opportunity to work one-on-one with instructors and clinicians,” he said. “This personalized attention and early clinical exposure laid a strong foundation for my growth as a physician and prepared me well for the challenges of residency and beyond.”
After graduating with distinction and being inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society, Dr. Glenn completed one of the nation’s top emergency medicine residencies at the University of Cincinnati. While living in Ohio, he also worked as a flight physician. In June 2025, he brought that experience back to Northern Idaho.
“Given the ongoing physician shortage in Idaho, I felt a deep responsibility to return and care for the people of my home state,” he said. “Northern Idaho in particular faces unique challenges with access to care, and I wanted to be part of the solution.”
Now at Kootenai Health, Dr. Glenn finds deep meaning in his work.
“Each day, I have the privilege of caring for patients who are often at their most vulnerable, whether they are critically ill or severely injured,” he said. “I work alongside a team of highly skilled and compassionate colleagues, and together we strive to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
Through his dedication to Idaho patients and his commitment to community-based medicine, Dr. Glenn embodies the Idaho WWAMI mission to educate physicians who serve and strengthen their home communities.
“What motivates me most is knowing that every shift offers an opportunity to positively impact someone in a profound way,” Dr. Glenn said, “and that sense of purpose is what drives me forward.”