Beyond the Classroom
While still a developing program, WWAMI Spokane has already generated a number of extracurricular student groups and activities to learn about the profession, understand the current state of medicine, and give back to the community. Though time during the first year of medical school is often limited, students have enjoyed the balance provided by learning and serving in a setting outside the normal study routine.
Current Student Groups and Activities
Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG): During the first year of WWAMI Spokane the FMIG was actively involved in bringing speakers from the community to campus to discuss growing local and national health concerns. Topics of discussion included the Death with Dignity act passed in Washington State in 2008, the local Needle Exchange program, as well as an interdisciplinary discussion of conflict of interest and the role of Pharmaceutical companies in advertising and education. The FMIG was also involved in coordinating student involvement in the NATIVE project, a program designed to provide quality health services to the local Native American populations.
Medical Student Association, American Medical Student Association, American Medical Association: Students in the class were active leaders elected to serve as the coordinators for various medical association groups. These groups helped the class to gain funding for activities like the WWAMI Prom as well as organize resources from other WWAMI sites to aid in studying and test preparation. These students were liaisons to Seattle and actively helped in the development of the first year medical curriculum.
Clinical Grand Rounds: On a monthly basis, students at WWAMI Spokane attended a local clinical case presentation attended by third and fourth year students as well. Grand rounds were often presented by local attending physicians as well as residents from Family and Internal Medicine.
WWAMI Prom: Though a tradition started in Seattle, during it's inaugural year WWAMI Spokane took time away from class to establish a prom night at the local Women's Club of Spokane. The event was open to students and faculty from all years and from any other WWAMI locations that could attend.
Other Activities: Throughout the year students took part in less formal activities such as an exercise group that trained for the annual Bloomsday Run. A small group of students also met every so often to watch and discuss the PBS health documentary "Unnatural Causes."
Plenty of opportunities to stay active outside the classroom are available at WWAMI Spokane. The list of groups is growing daily as the program develops and abides by the standard of excellence established by both the University of Washington School of Medicine and WSU-Spokane's active Health Sciences department.
