Legislators in Vancouver and Everett this week got acquainted with some of WSU’s 60 new first year medical students during lunch events on WSU campuses, finding an alignment with the mission of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
“I chose WSU because of the mission statement to serve underserved populations,” one student said.
“WAZZU has a different mission statement,” another said. “Everyone talked about public service, but WSU has a program around it.”
WSU’s 60 first year medical students were in their designated regions this week, training in hubs at WSU campuses in Richland, Spokane, Everett and Vancouver. It was the second of three weeks of clinical training they’ll get during the academic year. Students will return to their designated regions for the entirety of their third and fourth years of training.
The lunch events are designed to introduce legislators to the students they’ve supported while providing students with the opportunity to engage with policy makers. In both locations, legislators found students who were attracted to WSU’s mission to serve the underserved.
One student at the Everett event talked of having spent time serving underserved populations overseas, then she realized that “there are so many people in my own community that needed help. They need help right here. I’m so happy I’m here.”
Several already had life experience working in various fields, including military, health and education. “The role of a doctor is to provide medical care, but it is also to be a community player,” one student said. “WSU fits that vision of what a doctor can be — a leader and a community player.”
In Vancouver, several students spoke about their decision to commit to WSU as a “no brainer.”
When asked about the application process one student shared about WSU’s family feel: “They really did want to get to know me.” Others spoke to efforts to ensure students care for themselves first. “Every week they would ask ‘how are you feeling?’” one student said.
“The school tends to lean towards working together,” one student said to describe the program’s model. “It’s not about who is most important, it’s about everyone coming together to treat the patient. It’s about bringing the best care to our patients, and the school really practices that.”
Students appeared energized by the opportunity to get into actual clinical settings.
“I’m looking forward to having a really good grasp working with live patients,” one said. “We have a very patient-focused program.”
