University of Idaho Expands In-State Physician Training

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The University of Idaho is advancing a new medical education partnership with the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. The initiative aims to expand Idaho's physician workforce, with a focus on training more doctors in-state and encouraging them to practice in rural and underserved communities across the state.

Why it matters

Idaho has historically faced challenges in recruiting and retaining physicians, especially in rural areas. This new program is designed to strengthen the state's long-term physician pipeline by providing more in-state medical training opportunities and incentivizing graduates to practice medicine in Idaho communities.

The details

Under the proposed program, U of I and the University of Utah would share governance through a joint steering committee overseeing admissions, curriculum, clinical training, and faculty recruitment. All participating students would be Idaho residents and complete most of their coursework and clinical rotations within the state. Students would be required to commit to at least four years of medical practice in Idaho after residency or repay the state's investment, and would contribute to the Rural Physician Incentive Program.

• In 2025, the Idaho State Legislature passed House Bill 368, paving the way for this new medical education partnership.
• The University of Idaho and University of Utah have now entered into a collaboration agreement to begin preliminary development of the regionally based undergraduate medical education program.

What’s next

The University of Idaho and University of Utah will now work together to develop the curriculum, admissions process, and other details of the new medical education program. The program will need to be approved by the Idaho State Board of Education and accredited before it can accept its first class of students.