Early UWSOM-Spokane Grads Build Thriving Practices

Graduates from the first classes of the UW-GU Health Partnership are flourishing in the region.

As members of the first classes at the UW-GU Health Partnership, Mara Hazeltine ('19) and Justin Thompson ('20) are part of a pioneering group of students who paved the way for future cohorts.

Thompson said the partnership helps future physicians fall in love with the area. That happened to him when he came to Spokane to attend medical school after serving six years in the military.

He enjoyed the small class size, getting to know his instructors, and exploring the region. As a TRUST (Targeted Rural and Underserved Track) student, he spent time working in Moses Lake. That experience helped confirm his decision to pursue family medicine.

"My goal is to live and work in a place where I can make the most difference," he explained. "I like having time to spend with patients-- it's refreshing and rewarding. Making connections with people is why I came to medicine."

After completing the family medicine residency program at Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Thompson launched his career in the Lake City at Ironwood Family Practice.

The scope of family medicine suits him, from caring for patients he delivered as a resident to serving as hospital faculty in the residency at Kootenai Health.

"I feel blessed," he said. "I really enjoy taking care of patients and teaching. I usually have 3 or 4 UW residents at Kootenai and first-year students at my clinic. My education at UW-GU Health Partnership set me up for success."

Hazeltine agreed.

"UW prepared us to talk with patients openly and curiously. Listening to people's stories and their context can help you care for their medical needs," she said.

After earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington, Hazeltine taught middle school at a Title One school in Colorado. She saw the impact lack of medical care had on her students.

"I felt called to medicine," she said. "My mom is a nurse and an immigrant and worked hard to get where she is. My dad has been disabled by Guillain-Barre-- I'd spent a lot of time in hospitals."

Though she'd graduated from Mt. Spokane High School, she hadn't lived in the city as an adult. Attending medical school at the UW-GU Health Partnership was a happy homecoming.
Like Thompson, the scope of family medicine attracted her.

She delivered her first baby during RUOP (Rural Underserved Opportunities Program) in tiny
Tonasket, Washington.

"It was an amazing experience!"

Hazeltine was thrilled when she was accepted to the Spokane family medicine residency program.

"I was chief resident at FMRS and credit much of the leadership skills I used, particularly during the pandemic, to my time at UWSOM, working with a variety of communities and settings, and building camaraderie among groups," she said.

After completing residency, she chose to launch her career and her family here.

She worked at the Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS) for two years. Now, the mother of an active one-year-old cares for patients at Providence Family Care-Cowley Park.

"I love family medicine," Hazeltine said. "I get to really know my patients and their whole families."

One of the goals of the Health Partnership is to improve healthcare in the region by educating and retaining physicians. Stories like Hazeltine's and Thompson's are exactly what UW president Ana Mari Cauce and Gonzaga University president Thayne McCulloh envisioned when the Health Partnership formed under their leadership.

Hazeltine's education has come full circle.

"Being able to train here allowed me to stay here," she said. "Ana Mari signed my undergrad diploma, and her signature is on my medical school diploma. I think the way she and Thayne worked together to create the Health Partnership is pretty special—it's inspiring."

ABOUT THE UW-GU HEALTH PARTNERSHIP:
The University of Washington School of Medicine and Gonzaga University formed a Health Partnership in 2016 with a vision to improve health and prosperity throughout eastern Washington by transforming medical education, research and innovation. The combined strengths of each institution – deep community roots and world-class health and medical education – and the vast network of students, faculty and health care professionals is creating an impact by preparing the next generation of health care professionals to advance discovery and develop new ways to care for patients.