Match Day is a defining milestone for Idaho WWAMI fourth-year students, marking the moment when years of training culminate in residency placements across the country. It’s a day filled with anticipation and celebration as students take the next step in their medical careers. For Victor, Idaho resident Kelton Kearsley, that sense of anticipation turned into […]
After nine years as Idaho WWAMI’s Assistant Clinical Dean, and decades of dedicated service to rural medicine and medical education, Dr. Frank Batcha is retiring this month. He leaves behind a legacy defined by mentorship, community connection, and a deep commitment to training the next generation of physicians. Reflecting on his time in the role, […]
Each March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder that early detection saves lives. While screening and prevention efforts have made real progress, new trends are reshaping who is most affected by colorectal cancer—and why staying up to date on screening has never been more important. According to Dr. Sheev Dattani, a board-certified minimally […]
For Idaho WWAMI alumna Taylor Simmons, MD, training close to home helped launch a career dedicated to rural family medicine and serving Idaho communities. From the beginning, she knew Idaho WWAMI was where she hoped to train. “I remember feeling incredibly excited and hopeful interviewing, as Idaho WWAMI was by far my first choice […]
Governor Brad Little proclaimed Feb. 17th as WWAMI Day in Idaho, recognizing the program’s longstanding role in strengthening healthcare across the state. The designation set the stage for a day of celebration at the Idaho State Capitol, where students, physicians and supporters highlighted Idaho WWAMI’s impact on communities across the Gem State. The observance also […]
Growing up in the small town of Elk City, Idaho, Bryn Parker, MD, saw firsthand how important it is for communities to have access to trusted local physicians. That commitment to caring for patients and mentoring future doctors has earned her recognition as the 2026 Idaho Family Physician of the Year by the Idaho Academy […]
On February 17, Idaho WWAMI student Camille Massaad joined fellow student Megan Wong and Idaho WWAMI Assistant Clinical Dean Frank Batcha at the Idaho State Capitol to celebrate WWAMI Idaho Day. Governor Brad Little signed a proclamation recognizing 54 years of public medical education in Idaho, made possible through the partnership between the University of […]
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, but many of its most significant risk factors are within our control. For Idaho WWAMI alum and interventional cardiologist Dr. Kendra Coonse, heart health starts with everyday habits. At the core of prevention, she emphasizes lifestyle choices and routine monitoring. “Following a heart-healthy […]
For Dr. Lance Hansen, medicine has always been about relationships: finding meaning in caring for patients throughout every phase of their lives and building trust that lasts. A proud Idaho WWAMI alum, Dr. Hansen has spent his career practicing and teaching full-spectrum family medicine in rural Idaho, helping ensure that communities like Preston continue […]
Friends, family, volunteers, and community partners gathered recently to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 100th birthday of Marie Blanchard, the visionary founder of The Marie Blanchard Friendship Clinic in Boise, Idaho. Among the attendees on December 19, 2025, was Mary Barinaga, Assistant Clinical Dean for Idaho WWAMI, underscoring the deep connection between the clinic […]
