University of Idaho advances medical education partnership to expand Idaho’s physician pipeline

MOSCOW, Idaho — A new opportunity to educate more future physicians is taking shape in Idaho, led by University of Idaho.  

In response to growing physician workforce demand and in alignment with legislation passed during the 2025 legislative session (HB 368), U of I is advancing a strategic medical education partnership to expand in-state physician training and strengthen Idaho’s physician pipeline, with a particular focus on rural and underserved communities. Following unanimous approval by the State Board of Education, U of I and the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah have entered into a collaboration agreement to begin preliminary development of a regionally based undergraduate medical education program in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. The partnership reflects an Idaho-first, collaborative approach to meeting the state’s long-term health care needs, with shared priorities in rural health and physician workforce development that build on U of I’s deep experience serving rural communities and preparing physicians to practice across Idaho.

“This initiative represents an exciting opportunity for Idaho to expand medical student education right here at home,” said Dr. Rayme Geidl, interim co-director of the U of I School of Health and Medical Professions. “By building another strong partnership and training students in Idaho communities, we can help meet the state’s growing need for physicians.”

“The University of Utah is fully committed to this partnership and to expanding high-quality medical education opportunities in Idaho,” said Dr. Kristina Callis Duffin, M.D., interim dean of U of U’s medical school. “We are dedicated to working alongside the University of Idaho every step of the way to ensure this program succeeds and strengthens the state’s physician workforce.”

HB 368 directs the state to pursue growth in medical student training beyond existing programs, while maintaining a strong commitment to Idahoans. With 53 years of experience training M.D. medical students, U of I is uniquely positioned to grow opportunities for medical student education in Idaho at the direction of the State Board of Education and the Idaho Legislature.  

Building on decades of educating Idaho students through the Idaho WWAMI program — a long-standing medical education partnership that allows Idaho students to complete their undergraduate medical education in Moscow at U of I in partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine — this initiative also draws on the state of Idaho’s long-standing collaboration with the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah, which admits 10 Idaho students each year. With required approvals, the new program would complement Idaho WWAMI and expand capacity to meet the state’s growing need for in-state physician training.

U of I will have equal representation with U of U on a joint steering committee responsible for admissions processes, curriculum development, student support, clinical training, faculty recruitment and overall program governance. Any program developed through the partnership will fully comply with Idaho law and Utah’s accreditation with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

“The University of Idaho is proud to lead this collaborative effort to grow Idaho’s physician workforce,” U of I President Scott Green said. “By working together, we can ensure medical education remains accessible and responsive to Idaho’s communities, including rural and underserved areas.”

If fully approved, the program would be designed specifically to serve Idaho:  

• All students will be Idaho residents, increasing their likelihood of staying in Idaho to practice.
• Students will complete classroom instruction and most clinical rotations in Idaho, keeping taxpayer funds in the state.
• Students must sign a Return to Practice agreement committing to at least four years of medical practice in Idaho following residency or repaying the state’s investment.
• Participants will contribute to the Rural Physician Incentive Program, supporting service in rural and underserved communities.

This partnership would mark a major step forward in Idaho’s commitment to building a strong, locally trained physician workforce, ensuring that more doctors are educated in, and dedicated to, serving Idaho communities for years to come.

Media contacts

Caiti Bobbitt
Director of marketing and strategic communications
U of I School of Health and Medical Professions
ccbobbitt@uidaho.edu
208-416-9574

Rayme Geidl, M.D.
Interim co-director
U of I School of Health and Medical Professions
rgeidl@uidaho.edu