Pathways

Pathway Programs

The Indian Health Pathway, founded in 1992, provides a unique educational experience in the area of American Indian and Alaska Native health. The American Indian and Alaska Native communities are one of the most underserved minority groups in the nation. This pathway is for students who are interested in becoming medical providers in urban or rural indigenous communities. Dr. Jason Deen serves as director of the Indian Health Pathway which is administered by the Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE).

The Global Health Pathway, founded in 2004, provides medical students with the information and experiences necessary to practice in underserved communities worldwide. Founded in 2004, this pathway is designed for students interested in research or clinical practice in resource poor settings and with international communities. Dr. Susan Graham serves as the director of the Global Health Pathway which is administered by the Department of Global Health.

The Underserved Pathway,  founded in 2006, is a curricular and experiential program for students interested in caring for rural and urban under-resourced, marginalized, and historically-excluded populations. The Pathway engages students in three educational avenues: longitudinal mentoring, a foundation of knowledge, and a variety of real-world experiences. Dr. Samira Farah serves as director of this Pathway, which is administered by the Department of Family Medicine.

The Latinx Health Pathway, founded in 2008, provides medical students a unique educational opportunity in the area of Hispanic health. The Hispanic community is one of the largest growing population groups in the nation and in Washington state. This pathway is designed for students who are interested in becoming practitioners in communities (urban or rural) with Hispanic populations. Dr. Daniel Cabrera serves as director of the Latinx Health Pathway, which is administered by the Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE).

The LGBTQ Pathway, founded in 2016, provides a number of educational opportunities and experiences to medical students that will better prepare them to provide culturally responsive care for LGBTQ populations. Dr. Corinne Heinen serves as director of the LGBTQ Pathway, which is administered by the Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE).

Humanities & the Arts Pathway (HAP), founded in 2020, provides a unique educational experience for medical students to thoughtfully and creatively engage with patient stories and the experience of becoming a physician using specialized modules, clinical experiences, reflection, and creative expression. This pathway is for students who are interested in using the arts and humanities to explore medicine. Dr. Andrea Kalus serves as faculty advisor for the HAP Pathway, which is administered by the Department of Dermatology.

The Black Health Justice Pathway, founded in 2022, provides a curriculum that highlights the systemic oppression of Black people and its resulting socioeconomic and health sequelae. It provides medical students with the foundational knowledge to assess health inequities through a critical lens, and with the tools needed to advocate for health equity within UWSOM, in Black communities throughout WWAMI, and in their future practices as physicians. Dr. Peter Asante serves as director of the Black Health Justice Pathway, which is administered by the Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE).

The Spokane Leadership Pathway, founded in 2022, provides a foundation for students to be capable, effective physician-leaders within their organizations and communities. This pathway is administered by the UW School of Medicine-Gonzaga University Health Partnership. UW School of Medicine Spokane assistant clinical dean Dr. Darin Eckert serves as the Pathway director. Rachelle Strawther serves as the faculty lead at Gonzaga.

Clinical Translational Research Pathway (CTR), founded in 2023, is designed for health sciences students who wish to learn about and explore the process of creating new knowledge in the form of clinical and/or translational research. CTR is administered by ITHS. Dr. Mark Whipple serves as the CTR Pathway director.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Pathway (SRH), founded in 2023, aims to equip UW medical students with the background knowledge, resources, and experiences required to address disparities in sexual and reproductive healthcare. The curriculum will highlight the intersectionality of race/ethnicity and sexual/gender identity. Dr. Jennifer Chin and Dr. Addie McClintock serve as faculty leads.

Asian Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Pathway (ANPHI), founded in 2024 will be created to provide a curriculum and experiential program that increases awareness and visibility of the health disparities and challenges experienced by ANHPI communities, especially ethnic subgroups that are underrepresented and underserved. It will also prepare medical students with tools to provide patients compassionate, culturally humble, and linguistically appropriate, evidence-based care as future physicians.