Research on Rural Health Needs
Through the Health Partnership, Gonzaga undergrads and UW medical students have opportunities to serve rural communities.
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A Report to the Community | Spring 2026
10 Years of Momentum
A Report to the Community | Spring 2026
10 Years of Momentum
Maximizing Washington's Investment in Regional Health
Ten years ago, the UW and GU entered into a strategic public-private partnership with a clear mandate: to help solve the region’s health care access crisis. With strong support from the state Legislature, the partnership has flourished -- meeting initial goals and exceeding projections to serve as a model for how academic collaboration can drive state-level economic and clinical outcomes.
Expanding the Frontline Workforce
The partnership is directly addressing the provider shortage by training the next generation of clinicians in the communities where they are needed most. This collaboration has sparked growth in a suite of health care professional programs that provide a seamless pathway from undergraduate science to clinical practice.
- Physician Pipeline for Eastern Washington: Each year, UWSOM trains a 60-student cohort in Spokane. Ranked #1 in Primary Care and Rural Health, world-class excellence translates to results: Nearly 50% of graduates pursue primary care, the highest need specialty for rural families.
- Washington’s Only CRNA Pipeline: Gonzaga School of Health Science Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) prepares certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to serve the rural health care system with specialists for operating rooms and maternity units.
- Proven Retention: The Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program doubled its capacity in 2025, boasts an 81 percent return rate, with graduates practicing in Washington’s rural and underserved areas.
- Leadership-Ready Clinicians: Through GU, physician-leaders and advanced practice-leaders learn to manage complex delivery systems, producing innovators who lead and improve system efficiency.
A Sustainable Talent Pipeline
Spokane Student Enrollment
| University of Washington | 2016 | 2026 | |
| Physicians (UWSOM) | 100 | 120 | |
| Physician Assistants (UW MEDEX) | 29 | 29* | |
| Dentists (UW RIDE) | 8 | 32 | |
| Gonzaga University | 2016 | 2026 | |
Nurse Practitioners (MSN, DNP)
|
428 | 438 | |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice) | 20 | 72 | A 50 year partnership with Providence Health |
| Registered Nurses (BSN) | 321 | 335 | |
| Bachelors in Human Physiology** | 168 | 188 | |
| Bachelors in Public Health** | NA | 49 | Started in 2024 |
| Bachelors in Neuroscience** | NA | 96 | Started in 2023 |
*Program matriculation pause; will reopen in 26-27 application cycle.
**Students in these Gonzaga programs now study alongside UW medical students and/or learn from professors who are dual-appointed in the Gonzaga School of Health Sciences and UW
A 2025 survey by Strategic Research Associates found that 95% of Spokane area citizens are aware of the partnership and support its value to the community.
Infrastructure as a Catalyst
The shared health education and research facility serves as a regional innovation hub, driving efficiency and expansion.
- Strategic Growth: A new high-tech nursing simulation and training center to house the expanded DNAP cohorts directly addresses the critical shortage of anesthesia and specialized care providers.
- Operational Efficiency: Co-locating UW’s medical research with GU’s health sciences reduces overhead and accelerates the transition from lab to bedside.
- Collaborative Impact: This shared footprint fosters high-impact synergies, such as GU’s Center for Health Impact, focused on interdisciplinary research and regional wellness.
The Economic Multiplier: ROI for Eastern Washington
The UW-GU Health Partnership is a primary engine for regional economic vitality. 2025 data confirms a significant return on public investment:
| METRIC | ECONOMIC IMPACT |
| Total UW Economic Output (Eastern Washington) |
$18.6 Million |
| Annual UW Regional Impact |
$81.4 Million |
Fiscal note: The Partnership is on track to meet or exceed the 20-year $1.628 billion economic impact projection for the UW School of Medicine, representing a robust taxpayer return.
Vision 2036: Scaling our Success
Our next decade focuses on scaling success to meet Washington’s most pressing needs:
- Pipeline Growth: Increasing healthcare provider graduates to meet rising demand.
- Rural Access: Expanding clinical footprints and educational opportunities in underserved counties.
- Applied Research: Improving regional health outcomes through targeted research.
The collaboration is working -- delivering a stronger workforce, a thriving economy, and a healthier Washington. Thank you for your continued investment.
Darryl Potyk, M.D., Chief for Medical Education, UWSOM Spokane
Julie Wolter, Ph.D., Dean, Gonzaga School of Health Sciences
Find Out More About the UW-GU Health Partnership
gonzaga.edu/healthpartnership
uwmedicine.org/school-of-medicine
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