Best Medical Schools in Idaho

Idaho is known for its vast landscapes and rural communities, but it also plays a key role in medical education through collaborative partnerships with surrounding states. While Idaho does not have its own standalone, fully independent medical school, the state offers access to medical education through collaborations with other universities and programs aimed at serving rural and underserved communities.

1. University of Washington School of Medicine – Idaho WWAMI Program

The WWAMI Program is a collaborative medical education program that stands for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho, providing students in these states access to the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM). The program allows Idaho residents to receive high-quality medical education while staying in the state for part of their training.

Key Features

• Regional Collaboration: WWAMI is a unique partnership that allows students to study in their home states for the first part of their medical education before completing clinical rotations and specialized training at various partner sites.
• Rural Health Focus: The program emphasizes training physicians for rural and underserved areas, a significant need in Idaho.
• Idaho-Based Training: Students complete their foundational coursework at Idaho State University and University of Idaho, gaining hands-on experience in Idaho communities.

Degree Programs

• MD Program: A four-year medical degree program, with the first 18 months dedicated to classroom-based learning, followed by clinical rotations in Idaho and across the WWAMI region.
• Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP): Offers students additional training in rural and underserved settings, providing hands-on clinical experience.
• Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST): A program that further focuses on serving rural populations by offering students specialized mentorship and training in rural communities.

Clinical Experience

WWAMI Idaho students complete clinical rotations across the state, ensuring exposure to diverse patient populations:

• Idaho State University Family Medicine Residency: A key clinical partner that provides experience in family medicine and primary care.
• St. Luke’s Health System: One of the largest healthcare providers in Idaho, offering students experience in a wide range of specialties, including surgery, internal medicine, and pediatrics.
• Rural Clinics and Hospitals: Students participate in rotations at rural clinics, giving them valuable experience in primary care and rural medicine.

Research Opportunities

WWAMI provides opportunities for medical students to engage in research, with a focus on rural health and primary care:

• Institute of Translational Health Sciences: Students have the opportunity to collaborate on research projects that focus on improving healthcare delivery in rural and underserved areas.
• Rural Health Research: The program encourages students to engage in research that addresses the specific healthcare challenges of rural populations, such as access to care and chronic disease management.

2. Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM)

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), located in Meridian, is the first and only medical school in Idaho. It was established in 2016 with the goal of addressing the shortage of healthcare providers in Idaho and the surrounding region. ICOM focuses on the osteopathic approach to medicine, which emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care.

Key Features

• Osteopathic Medicine: ICOM trains students to become Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), with a focus on whole-person healthcare and the integration of the body’s musculoskeletal system into treatment.
• Focus on Rural Medicine: ICOM places a strong emphasis on preparing physicians to work in rural and underserved areas in Idaho and the Mountain West region.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: ICOM offers students access to modern technology and simulation labs that provide hands-on training in a controlled environment.

Degree Programs

• DO Program: A four-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program that includes two years of basic sciences and clinical skills training, followed by two years of clinical rotations in various medical specialties.
• Dual Degree Options: ICOM offers partnerships with other institutions for students interested in pursuing dual degrees such as DO/MPH, allowing them to combine medical education with public health.

Clinical Experience

ICOM students participate in clinical rotations at healthcare facilities across Idaho and the surrounding region:

• St. Luke’s Health System: A key clinical partner where students complete rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and more.
• Rural Health Rotations: ICOM has established partnerships with rural hospitals and clinics, giving students the opportunity to gain experience in rural healthcare settings.
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center: Students have the opportunity to work with veterans, focusing on their unique healthcare needs.

Research Opportunities

ICOM supports research that aligns with its mission to address healthcare needs in Idaho and the surrounding region:

• Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Research: ICOM students and faculty are involved in research related to the effectiveness of OMM in treating various conditions.
• Rural Health and Primary Care Research: The school emphasizes research that focuses on improving healthcare outcomes in rural and underserved areas, including chronic disease management and preventive care.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: ICOM encourages students to collaborate with other healthcare professionals and institutions to engage in interdisciplinary research projects.

3. Idaho State University – Kasiska Division of Health Sciences

Idaho State University (ISU), located in Pocatello, is known for its comprehensive healthcare education programs. While ISU does not have a traditional medical school offering MD or DO degrees, it plays a significant role in medical education through its healthcare-related programs and partnerships with the WWAMI program.

Key Features

• Interprofessional Education: ISU offers a wide range of healthcare programs, including nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies, fostering a collaborative learning environment for students interested in healthcare professions.
• Collaboration with WWAMI: ISU serves as one of the training sites for the WWAMI program, offering medical students their foundational coursework in Idaho.
• Focus on Rural Healthcare: ISU is dedicated to addressing the healthcare needs of Idaho’s rural and underserved populations through education and clinical training.

Degree Programs

• Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS): A master’s program that prepares students to become licensed physician assistants, with a strong emphasis on primary care and rural health.
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD): ISU offers a nationally recognized pharmacy program that trains students to provide medication therapy management in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT): A program that prepares students to diagnose and treat movement disorders through physical therapy interventions.

Clinical Experience

ISU’s health sciences students participate in clinical training at various locations throughout Idaho:

• Family Medicine Residency of Idaho: A partnership that provides ISU students with experience in family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology.
• Pocatello Free Clinic: Students gain valuable experience working with underserved populations at the Pocatello Free Clinic, providing care to low-income and uninsured patients.
• Rural Rotations: ISU students are encouraged to complete clinical rotations in rural areas, gaining experience in healthcare settings where access to care is limited.

Research Opportunities

ISU’s Division of Health Sciences offers opportunities for students to engage in research aimed at improving healthcare delivery and outcomes in Idaho:

• Rural Health Research: Focused on addressing the challenges of healthcare access, delivery, and quality in rural and underserved areas of Idaho.
• Interdisciplinary Research: ISU promotes collaboration between healthcare disciplines, allowing students to work on projects that explore the intersection of medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and nursing.
• Public Health Research: The university is involved in research related to community health, chronic disease prevention, and health education in rural areas.

4. Family Medicine Residency of Idaho (FMRI)

The Family Medicine Residency of Idaho (FMRI) is a highly regarded residency program that trains family medicine physicians in the state. FMRI is focused on producing physicians who are prepared to serve Idaho’s rural and underserved populations.

Key Features

• Rural Health Focus: FMRI is dedicated to training physicians to provide comprehensive care in rural and underserved areas, where there is a critical need for primary care doctors.
• Comprehensive Training: The program offers training in family medicine, obstetrics, internal medicine, pediatrics, and behavioral health.
• Partnership with ICOM and WWAMI: FMRI works closely with Idaho’s medical education institutions to offer clinical rotations and residency positions to students from the WWAMI program and ICOM.

Residency Program

• Family Medicine Residency: A three-year residency program that provides comprehensive training in primary care, preparing graduates to practice in a wide range of healthcare settings, including rural and community-based clinics.
• Rural Training Tracks (RTT): FMRI offers rural training tracks that provide residents with the opportunity to complete part of their residency in rural Idaho communities, gaining hands-on experience in providing care to underserved populations.

Clinical Experience

FMRI residents gain extensive clinical experience through partnerships with Idaho healthcare facilities:

• St. Luke’s Health System: Residents complete clinical rotations in internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, and more at St. Luke’s facilities.
• Rural Health Clinics: Residents participate in rural rotations, providing care to patients in remote areas with limited access to healthcare.
• Behavioral Health Integration: FMRI integrates behavioral health training into its residency program, preparing family physicians to address mental health concerns in primary care settings.

Research Opportunities

FMRI offers opportunities for residents to engage in research that focuses on improving rural healthcare:

• Rural Medicine Research: Residents can participate in research aimed at improving healthcare delivery in rural areas, particularly in family medicine and primary care.
• Health Disparities Research: The program supports research that addresses health disparities in underserved populations, including access to care and social determinants of health.

5. Boise VA Medical Center – Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC)

The Boise VA Medical Center, located in Boise, is a key clinical training site for medical students and residents in Idaho. It is home to the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), which focuses on improving healthcare for elderly veterans. While not a traditional medical school, the Boise VA Medical Center offers valuable training and research opportunities for medical students and residents interested in geriatrics.

Key Features

• Veteran-Focused Care: The Boise VA provides comprehensive medical care to veterans, with a focus on primary care, mental health, and geriatric services.
• Geriatric Education: GRECC is dedicated to training healthcare professionals in geriatric care, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary care for elderly patients.
• Collaborative Learning: The Boise VA collaborates with medical schools and residency programs in Idaho to offer clinical rotations and research opportunities.

Clinical Experience

Medical students and residents participating in rotations at the Boise VA gain valuable experience in geriatric and primary care:

• Primary Care and Internal Medicine: Students and residents gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating chronic conditions common among elderly patients.
• Geriatric Psychiatry: The Boise VA provides training in addressing mental health concerns in the aging population, including dementia and depression.
• Palliative Care: The VA offers training in end-of-life care, pain management, and patient-centered care for terminally ill patients.

Research Opportunities

The GRECC at the Boise VA supports research aimed at improving geriatric care:

• Aging and Chronic Disease Research: Research focuses on the prevention and management of chronic diseases in elderly populations, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions.
• Geriatric Healthcare Delivery: The GRECC is involved in research that explores new models of healthcare delivery for elderly veterans, including telemedicine and integrated care.
• Veteran Health Research: The Boise VA collaborates with other VA centers across the country to conduct research on healthcare issues specific to veterans, such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance use disorders.