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 at St. Luke’s. His impact on medical students earned Dr. Birch, an internal medicine physician at St. Luke’s Clinic […]
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. His teaching and patient-centered care, Dr. Woodlief has […]
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 22 at Benaroya Hall 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 […]
For Dr. Kanan Silvas, medicine has always been about community. An Idaho WWAMI alumnus (E11) who grew up in North Idaho, Silvas is now an emergency medicine physician and internal hospitalist at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene where he helps expand clinical training opportunities for students rotating through the emergency department. He also serves as […]
For decades, Idaho WWAMI Assistant Clinical Dean Dr. Mary Barinaga has helped shape the educational experience of Idaho WWAMI medical students. Now, her contributions are being honored with the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Family Medicine Outstanding Clerkship Award for 2024–2025. Dr. Barinaga has played a central role in Idaho WWAMI for years, helping […]
Creating a learning environment where students feel supported, valued, and confident has long been central to Dr. Travis Nielsen’s approach to teaching. That dedication was recently recognized with the Family Medicine Outstanding Clerkship Award for 2024–2025 from the University of Washington School of Medicine. “I have been working with medical students in my clinic for […]
Three Idaho physicians have earned 2026 WRITE Excellence in Teaching Awards for their dedication to teaching and mentoring future physicians through the WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience (WRITE) program. This year’s Idaho recipients are Dr. Michelle Eide of Ketchum, Dr. John Hatzenbuehler of Hailey, and Dr. Jessica Sollstrom of Nampa. Michelle Eide, MD – Ketchum […]
When Dr. Bethaney Fehrenkamp talks about the immune system, her enthusiasm is immediate and unmistakable: “The immune system is everything, everywhere and plays a critical role in proper development,” she says. As a reproduction and developmental immunologist and Clinical Assistant Professor with Idaho WWAMI, Dr. Fehrenkamp has built her career around understanding how the earliest […]
When leaders at Full Circle Health began exploring the idea of a pediatrics residency program in Boise, they weren’t just thinking about training physicians. They were thinking about access. For decades, Idaho has faced a severe shortage of pediatricians. In 2019, a feasibility study led by Dr. Perry Brown revealed just how stark the gap […]
