Spokane University District Honors McCulloh and Cauce
In 2016, the presidents formed an unprecedented partnership between the two institutions and took a crucial leap forward to enhance medical education and attract, grow, and retain the next generation of healthcare professionals in the Inland Northwest. By working together to leverage synergies and a shared legacy of delivering top-ranked, world-class education, the partners committed to broadening the array of medical and health-related education and to collocate into a state-of-the-art facility that expands Spokane’s teaching and research capabilities and augments the region’s life sciences industry cluster.
“Thayne and Ana Mari launched and executed a plan that is transforming the medical education landscape and the health of Washingtonians. Their alliance — along with vital partners McKinstry and Emerald Initiative — created a dynamic hub and new home for students, faculty, researchers, and professionals,” says Scott Morris, retired CEO of Avista Corp and GU emeritus board member. “Their vision has become a multiplier for good as the UW-GU program deputizes future generations of doctors and other healthcare providers to serve patients, advance health solutions, and provide access to affordable, quality care, especially in rural communities across eastern Washington.”
McKinstry CEO Dean Allen notes, “Very early on, Thayne and Ana Mari articulated a clear and inspiring plan for expanding medical education in Spokane. Their roadmap to create a joint UW-GU endeavor provided the pathway for amplified investment in Spokane’s health sciences ecosystem, which ultimately benefits the patients and communities in Washington who need it most.”
(Scott Morris, left, and Dean Allen, right)
Since launching the partnership, Spokane has emerged as a top choice for medical, physician assistant, dental, human physiology, and public health students. Approximately 600 medical and 300 MEDEX Northwest physician assistant students have completed their studies. Students report enjoying being part of Gonzaga’s campus community, and the UW School of Medicine continues to attract more applicants than ever before.
University District board chair Katy Sheehan reflects: “Given the ongoing health disparities in our communities and the predicted shortage of medical providers, we all benefit from the UW-GU Health Partnership. Our board of directors is honored to recognize Ana Mari and Thayne for their decades-long efforts to build a program to reverse those trends and give students more opportunities to pursue a variety of medical education offerings locally.”
Launched in 2017, the University District Impact Award honors those who serve by example, lead and collaborate selflessly, spark transformation and social change, and are genuinely invested in the well-being of the UD community. Previous Impact Award recipients include Dave and Mari Clack (2017), Kim Pearman-Gillman (2019), Dean Allen (2020), Jim Sheehan (2021), Kim Zentz (2022), Rich Hadley posthumously (2023), and Scott Morris (2024).
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT: The University District is where business and education grow together to create a collaborative, healthy, and prosperous region. The University District uses its unique connectivity to create shared community wellness, equity, environmental health, and vibrancy by developing the infrastructure and programming that enable a globally recognized hub of education, innovation, research, and health care.