The UW School of Medicine is entering a new chapter in Academic, Rural and Regional Affairs following the retirement of Dr. Suzanne Allen, whose leadership helped shape the WWAMI program for more than 20 years.
Leadership Transitions and WWAMI’s New Chapter
To support the growing complexity of the School of Medicine’s mission, Dr. Allen’s former position has been divided into two leadership roles. Dr. Heather McPhillips now serves as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, providing leadership and strategic direction for the UW School of Medicine’s academic programs, including curriculum and educational policy development. Dr. LeeAnna Muzquiz serves as Vice Dean for Rural and Regional Affairs, focusing on WWAMI’s regional partnerships and relationships with communities, institutions, and stakeholders throughout the five-state region.
The School of Medicine also welcomed two new leaders to the Academic, Rural and Regional Affairs team on July 1. Dr. Estell Williams was appointed Associate Dean for Admissions, succeeding Dr. Muzquiz, and Dr. Jenny Wright became Associate Dean for Curriculum, succeeding Dr. McPhillips.
Dr. Williams, an associate professor of surgery and UW School of Medicine graduate, brings extensive admissions and workforce development experience, including her leadership of the Center for Workforce Inclusion and Healthcare System Equity (WIHSE). Dr. Wright, an associate professor in General Internal Medicine and UW School of Medicine graduate, has long been involved in medical student education, curriculum innovation and clinical assessment across the WWAMI region.
Together, these leadership transitions position the UW School of Medicine to continue advancing excellence in medical education and service to communities across the Northwest.
Honoring Dr. Allen’s Contributions to WWAMI
Dr. Allen’s WWAMI leadership journey began in 2000 as Boise’s required Family Medicine Clerkship Site Director. She was appointed Idaho WWAMI Assistant Clinical Dean in 2006, became Vice Dean for Regional Affairs in 2009, and was named Vice Dean for Academic, Rural and Regional Affairs in 2015. Throughout her tenure, she championed the School of Medicine’s mission to improve the health of the public by training physicians to serve communities across Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.
Reflecting on her career, Allen pointed to several accomplishments that transformed medical education across the region, including expansion of entering medical student class sizes in all five WWAMI states, growth of graduate medical education opportunities, and implementation of the most significant curriculum revision since WWAMI’s founding more than 50 years ago.
“It has been my privilege to work with the faculty, staff and students across the WWAMI region,” Allen said. “While we have all seen many changes in healthcare, our mission has remained the same—to train excellent physicians to care for their communities across the Northwest.”
Allen also reflected on the many milestones shared by the WWAMI community, from celebrating the program’s 40th and 50th anniversaries to navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I appreciate all of the time, energy and effort all of you contribute to helping us be successful in training the next generation of physicians,” she said. “Thank you for being part of our WWAMI-ly!”