About
Gonzaga’s Jesuit, Catholic, Humanistic education will challenge and inspire you.
About
10 Years Stronger, Healthier
Our region faces a critical challenge: ensuring every citizen has access to affordable, world-class health care right here in their hometown. Solving this requires more than just traditional thinking—it requires breaking down barriers and building a sustainable, equitable future.
The University of Washington School of Medicine and Gonzaga University have joined forces as Health Partners to do exactly that. By blending deep community roots with global leadership in medical education, we are transforming Spokane into an engine for medical excellence and regional prosperity. Together, we are educating the next generation of healthcare professionals, advancing life-saving discovery, and ensuring our communities don't just survive—they thrive.
Educating the Next Generation
The Health Partnership brings together the University of Washington’s world-class medical education programs with Gonzaga University’s leading undergraduate programs in nursing, public health and human physiology, all in the heart of Spokane.
The Partnership focuses on the Foundations Phase — the first 18 months of medical school — which covers basic science training with robust clinical skills training. From the start of medical school, students work in groups with a mentor in inpatient settings, and are matched with a primary care physician in the community for bi-weekly clinical experiences. These students perform clinical rotations with physicians’ practices in Spokane and throughout the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) region.
Research and Entrepreneurship
In addition to medical education, the Health Partnership is committed to advancing health-related research, entrepreneurship and inter-professional health sciences teaching in Spokane. The Partnership is defining and pursuing opportunities for research collaboration, including biomedical and health-related research that will involve larger alliances of Spokane-based researchers to advance learning and innovation.About the Health Partners
University of Washington School of Medicine
As a national leader in physician training, the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) is dedicated to excellence in medical education. We place a special emphasis on preparing a highly skilled workforce to meet the diverse needs of our region, specifically focusing on expanding access to high-quality care in rural and underserved communities. By training the next generation of primary care doctors and specialists to practice "right here at home," UWSOM ensures that world-class medical expertise serves communities throughout eastern Washington.
Gonzaga University
Rooted in a 135-year Jesuit tradition of humanistic education and service, Gonzaga University is a catalyst for the educational, social, and economic vitality of the Inland Northwest. By blending academic rigor with a deep commitment to the common good, Gonzaga develops ethically grounded leaders dedicated to transforming regional healthcare. Through its deep community roots and mission-driven excellence, the University serves as a foundational partner in building a healthier, more prosperous future for Spokane and the rural communities we serve.
The Catalyst: Research and Entrepreneurship
Beyond medical education, the Partnership serves as a catalyst for health-related research and entrepreneurship in Spokane. By fostering inter-professional teaching and building alliances among local researchers, we are driving the innovation that defines a modern medical hub. Together, we are pursuing high-impact discovery and biomedical advancements that strengthen the region’s health and economic future.