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The University of Idaho is ramping up its medical education programs to meet the rapidly growing needs of Idaho.
The School of Health and Medical Professions (SHAMP) gained approval from the Idaho State Board of Education in June and will build upon Idaho WWAMI, which is the state’s only public medical school.
U of I leaders meet regularly with industry leaders across the state to align our programs with the state’s needs. One of the most pressing needs is in health care. The statistics point to a clear demand for medical professionals in nearly every area.
Idaho is dead last in physicians per capita and all 44 counties in our state have shortages in behavioral health professionals. Combine this with the fact that Idaho’s population is among the fastest growing in the country and it’s clear we’re facing a crisis.
The U of I’s existing infrastructure and expertise in medical education create an excellent foundation to begin producing the health professionals Idaho needs.
“We look forward to building on our foundation as Idaho’s public medical school for the past 50-plus years,” said Jeff Seegmiller, regional dean and director of Idaho WWAMI. “As our state’s population ages, we must create a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals to meet health care needs in our communities. We’re proud to work with our partners across Idaho to provide solutions.”
In the spring the state legislature supported our proposal to create SHAMP. The Board of Education approved a master’s degree in gerontology in June and will consider proposals for one additional master’s program and three doctoral programs next month.
The new programs will address the major gaps in our state’s workforce and create new pathways for students to enter the expanding health care field. Through collaboration with our fellow higher education institutions in Idaho, we’re providing solutions for our state.
We’re excited for the future of our medical programs and proud to work with Idaho’s hospitals and clinics and to shape the future of healthcare with the goal of improving access to health care for Idahoans.
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