Read feature stories about students, staff and faculty from across the WWAMI region.
For Alaska WWAMI medical student Mauri Butzke, arriving at her TRUST community in Kodiak was more than the start of a clinical placement, it was her first lesson in rural medicine. Reaching Kodiak required a six-hour drive from Anchorage to Homer, followed by a 14.5-hour journey aboard the Tustumena, part of the Alaska Marine Highway […]
Born in Boise and raised in Kuna, Idaho, Kenya Morales-Luna grew up as the daughter of immigrant parents from Guanajuato, Mexico. From a young age, she often served as an interpreter during her parents’ medical appointments, giving her an early view into the challenges many families face when navigating the U.S. healthcare system. “Through my […]
The Idaho WWAMI program recently welcomed its newest cohort of Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST) scholars during a special luncheon held on the first day of orientation, marking the beginning of their medical education journey. The TRUST program prepares future physicians to serve rural and underserved communities by fostering meaningful, long-term connections throughout medical school. […]
Across the entire country, there are fewer than 8,000 geriatricians caring for more than 58 million Americans over the age of 65. By 2030, that demand is expected to be more than double. In Idaho, where the physician shortage is already the worst in the nation, that gap is even more acute. “We simply do […]
For years, a complex neurological diagnosis in North Idaho often came with an unwelcome prescription: a long drive. Patients seeking specialized care for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions frequently had to travel hours away often across state lines to find it. Dr. Cliff Hampton has spent the last 11 years working to change […]
Dr. Megan Ritter can trace her interest in medicine back to a single book she read in third grade. “I read a book called The Great Doctors and was fascinated by the mixture of science and humanity,” she said. “The stories of Drs. Harvey, Jenner, Lister and others left a lasting impression and ignited my interest in the science […]
Three University of Washington School of Medicine students—Catherine Chia, Alice Sohn and Briana Martin-Villa—rolled up their sleeves to volunteer at Protect Those Who Protect Us: Wildfire Firefighter Skin Cancer Screening Pilot Project, held on June 20, 2026. The event was organized by Dr. Zed Zha, a family medicine physician who also completed a dermatology fellowship, […]
For first-year Alaska WWAMI students Kunkun Wang and Nickolas McVay, a new partnership with Special Olympics Alaska has created opportunities to serve athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities while developing skills they will carry into their future careers as physicians. The initiative began when Special Olympics Alaska reached out to the University of Washington’s Service-Learning […]
For Alaska WWAMI Foundations faculty member Dr. Carol Paredes, the first year of medical school is about more than building scientific knowledge. It’s about helping students become compassionate physicians. She believes great doctors earn their patients’ trust through empathy, respect and genuine listening. “One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is partnering with first-year […]
Last month, five Alaska WWAMI graduates were recognized during the University of Washington School of Medicine’s (UWSOM’s) 32nd annual Traditional Blanket Ceremony. The annual celebration honors Indigenous graduating medical students and those who completed the Indian Health Pathway. Held in Seattle, the ceremony celebrated graduates’ achievements and their commitment to serving Indigenous communities. Among […]
