Then and Now: UW-GU Health Partnership Celebrates 10 Years

Ten years ago, when a group of 60 medical school students started their first year, they became the pioneer cohort of the UW School of Medicine-Gonzaga University Health Partnership. The innovative public-private collaboration launched with a bold vision: to transform regional health through research and education. Together, this alliance aimed at preparing the next generation of health care providers and anchor medical talent directly within the Inland Northwest.

Today, members of that inaugural class are delivering on that promise, providing vital care in communities across the region. As the Health Partnership celebrate this 10-year milestone, its impact is clear as these physicians--having evolved from local students to community doctors—help shape regional healthcare.

Kevin McNamee: Continuing the Legacy

When Kevin McNamee entered his first year of medical school, he didn't have far to go.

Born at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane and a graduate of Ferris High School, he was delighted to stay in the area.

As part of the inaugural cohort of UW-GU Partnership students, he took his classes at the Schoenberg Center on Gonzaga's campus.

"I was excited about being on the campus," said McNamee. "Actually, I was excited to be at UWSOM anywhere!"

He said he and his cohorts felt welcomed and at home at GU.

"We felt like we were honorary Gonzaga students," he recalled.

As a youngster, he knew he'd pursue a career in medicine, and he knew what kind of practice attracted him.

"I worked as a home health aide in college and had some exposure to rural family medicine," he said. "I knew that's what I wanted to do."

McNamee was part of the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Targeted Rural and Underserved Track (TRUST) program. It's a specialized, four-year medical school pathway designed to train students for careers in rural and small-city underserved areas across the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho region.

He spent much of his medical education in tiny Newport, WA.

"I saw the challenging things and the good things about rural family practice," he said. "You never know what's going to come in—it can be anything from a rash to heart failure."

The experience confirmed that he was in the right field and in the right place.

After completing his surgical obstetrics fellowship with Spokane Teaching Health Center, McNamee chose to live in Newport and serve the surrounding communities.

"I've lost count of the babies I've delivered," he said.

His skills were especially needed when nearby Bonner General Health Hospital in Sandpoint, ID, discontinued labor and delivery services.

"We absorbed a lot of their patients—otherwise people would have to drive to Spokane."

Living and working in Newport has been exactly what he hoped rural practice would be, a decade ago, when he started medical school.

"On a good day, I can walk to work in five minutes," he said. "The babies I've delivered are turning into toddlers, and I get to see them grow."

In a full circle moment, McNamee is now the Newport TRUST site director.

"I'm taking on my first set of TRUST students in the next academic year," he said. "I'm looking forward to continuing the UWSOM legacy here."

Justin Thompson (left) and Kevin McNamee (right) then and now.

Justin Thompson: Never done learning

After serving six years in the military, Justin Thompson wanted to put down roots with his family.

Originally accepted at UWSOM in Seattle, Thompson said he begged to come to Spokane to study.

"We loved the Inland Northwest, and we really wanted to stay here," he said.

Thompson delighted in being part of the brand-new UW-GU Partnership.

"From the moment we arrived, Gonzaga opened its arms to us," he said. "We found a nice escape in the gym and a quiet place to study in the Foley library. It was great sharing such a beautiful campus."

He enjoyed the small class size, getting to know his instructors, and exploring the region.

As a TRUST student, he spent time working in Moses Lake. That experience, similar to McNamee's, confirmed his decision to pursue family medicine.

"I got to see what a family doctor could be," said Thompson. "It empowered me and made me feel like this is something I could do."

Becoming a doctor amid a pandemic provided plenty of challenges, but Thompson noted that sharing those challenges forged a tight-knit class.

Ten years later, he remains thankful that he was a member of that first cohort.

"For me, medicine is all about people, and UW gets you in the clinic with patients right away," he said.

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

His daughter was a first-grader when he started medical school, and now she's driving.

"We came with the intention of staying put, and it's been a great fit," he said.

Currently, Thompson cares for patients he saw at the beginning of his residency. In addition to his thriving practice, he still spends time with residents.

"Once a month, I'm the attending physician at the hospital for the Kootenai ClinicFamily Medicine Residency," said Thompson. "I also teach first- and second-year students from the UW-GU partnership at the clinic. I enjoy teaching--there are so many opportunities to give back."

He reminds his students of the pivotal lesson he learned during his first year of medical school.

"The most important thing in medicine is the human connection. Listen to your patients—they will teach you stuff every day," he said. "You are never done learning."

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.