Idaho Universities Partner to Expand Medical Training

University of Idaho and University of Utah collaborate to address doctor shortage, especially in rural areas.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The State Board of Education has approved a collaboration agreement between the University of Idaho and the University of Utah's medical school, the first step toward increasing the number of physicians in Idaho. The partnership still needs approval and funding from the Legislature. Idaho doesn't have a public medical school within its own borders, and the state has consistently ranked at or near the bottom of states in physicians per capita.

Why it matters

This partnership aims to address the shortage of doctors in Idaho, especially in rural parts of the state, by expanding medical training opportunities for Idaho students. Increasing the number of doctors practicing in Idaho is crucial for improving access to healthcare, particularly in underserved areas.

The details

Under the proposed program, Idaho students would sign an agreement to practice in the state for four years after they graduate. The University of Utah's medical school already takes 10 Idaho students per year, and the new partnership would build on this existing relationship. The University of Idaho's School of Health and Medical Professions is also working with the WWAMI medical education program, which partners with the University of Washington School of Medicine.

  • In 2025, Idaho lawmakers passed House Bill 368 to establish a medical education workgroup.
  • The medical education workgroup published its Idaho Medical Education Plan at the end of 2025.

The players

University of Idaho

A public research university located in Moscow, Idaho.

University of Utah

A public research university located in Salt Lake City, Utah, with a robust medical school and rural training program.

Dr. Rayme Geidl

Interim co-director of the University of Idaho's School of Health and Medical Professions and interim regional dean for the WWAMI medical education program.

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What they’re saying

“We fully intend to pull from that part of their curriculum because it is such a great need in our state. So, our goal would be that we would have every single student who comes into this program have rural training and rural exposure.”

— Dr. Rayme Geidl, Interim co-director, University of Idaho School of Health and Medical Professions (dailyfly.com)

“We have a really large pool of qualified students who could be coming to medical school and being trained in the state if we had enough access for them.”

— Dr. Rayme Geidl, Interim regional dean, WWAMI medical education program (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The partnership between the University of Idaho and the University of Utah's medical school still needs approval and funding from the Idaho Legislature.

The takeaway

This collaboration between Idaho and Utah universities aims to address the critical shortage of doctors in Idaho, particularly in rural areas, by expanding medical training opportunities for Idaho students and encouraging them to practice in the state after graduation. Increasing the state's physician workforce is essential for improving access to healthcare and supporting the well-being of Idaho's communities.