We are thrilled to announce that Dr. LeeAnna Muzquiz has accepted our offer to serve as the Vice Dean for Rural and Regional Affairs beginning September 1, 2025, transitioning from her current role as Associate Dean for Admissions, a position she has held for eight years.
Dr. Muzquiz, a member of the Salish and Kootenai tribes, is a Montana WWAMI graduate who completed her family medicine residency at the Seattle Indian Health Board and has practiced since then for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tribal Health Clinic in Ronan and Polson, Montana. Dr. Muzquiz, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, has precepted medical students during their Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) experience as well as clinical training for the Indian Health Pathway. She is also a mentor for the Underserved Pathway, the Center for Indigenous Health, and has precepted MEDEX students.
Dr. Muzquiz was recently recognized with the UW School of Medicine Alumni Service Award for her work in championing equity, diversity, and inclusion through admissions for the medical student education program ensuring the medical school’s student body better represents the region it serves. She has been part of developing innovative pathways for individuals to serve Indigenous populations and fostering an inclusive ecosystem that supports medical training at all stages. She was also honored in 2024 at the National Indian Health Board’s Heroes for Health Awards Gala with the Regional Impact Award.
Dr. Muzquiz is very involved at the local, state, and national levels with the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Association of American Indian Physicians. She has held leadership positions across these organizations and is currently the Vice Chair of the Governing Council of the Underrepresented in Medicine Advocacy Section of the AMA as well as a delegate from the Montana Academy of Family Physicians to the American Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates. She was also selected to serve on the Association of American Medical Colleges Advancing Holistic Principles Advisory Committee.
In her role as Vice Dean for Rural and Regional Affairs, Dr. Muzquiz will report to the Executive Vice Dean for the School of Medicine and be responsible for relationships across the WWAMI region with partner states, universities, and health systems. She will oversee the rural programs for the UW School of Medicine as well as partner with the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs for all health professions degree programs across the WWAMI region.
Through her time as a member of the UW School of Medicine community, Dr. Muzquiz has worked diligently to support students and create an inclusive and supportive ecosystem across our five-state medical school. We are confident that Dr. Muzquiz will do exceptionally well in her next role as Vice Dean for Rural and Regional Affairs. We would also like to thank Suzanne Allen, MD, for her steady guidance during this transition and Darryl Potyk, MD, and Byron Joyner, MD, for co-leading the search committee. The School is in the final stage of our search for the new Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, and we look forward to partnering that important role with Dr. Muzquiz in leading the SoM educational efforts. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Muzquiz to her new role.