WSU College of Medicine launches new pathway program for enrolled Tribal members

The Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine has launched its first post-baccalaureate program to help prepare American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) learners from federally recognized tribes who aspire to become physicians.

Nmryaqs (pronounced en-MURR-ee-Ahks), meaning "medicine road" or path to medicine in the Spokane dialect of Interior Salish, is a free 10-monthprogram designed to support the successful recruitment, training, and graduation of medical students with hopes of serving Tribal communities. The program will enroll up to four scholars each year who are passionate about providing health care to populations in need but have been unsuccessful in their prior applications to medical school.

Nmryaqs builds on the foundation of the Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate program, which has supported other enrolled Tribal members for more than six years. The WSU College of Medicine recently celebrated the graduation of its first Wy'east scholar, Lexie Packham, MD, now in residency training in internal medicine/pediatrics. The MD Class of 2029 includes the program's next scholar in this legacy.

"We have been working for many years to build partnerships and support to encourage these scholars to pursue their dreams," said Leila Harrison, PhD, MA, MEd, vice dean for admissions, student affairs, and alumni engagement at the college.

We have been working for many years to build partnerships and support to encourage these scholars to pursue their dreams.

The inaugural Nmryaqs cohort began in fall 2025, joining the college in Spokane to study Indigenous health and well-being alongside foundational sciences courses and other learning experiences. The program will help candidates strengthen their applications to medical school and build the skills necessary to succeed once there. Students who complete the program will have conditional acceptance to the College of Medicine.

"We want to ensure this program is long-term and sustainable," said David Garcia, MEd, associate dean for community and health equity. "We hope the program serves Native and Indigenous communities for generations to come."

Historically, AI/AN populations have been significantly underrepresented in both medical school and the physician workforce. Medical school applications from AI/AN applicants even decreased 15.4% during the 2024-25 cycle, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

At the same time, there is an acute need for knowledgeable physicians committed to serving these communities. AI/AN populations have an average life expectancy that is 5.5 years lower than the general U.S. population, according to the Indian Health Service, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency.

Garcia hopes Nmryaqs will help close that gap - not only by supporting individual scholars, but by improving health outcomes across Washington.

"This program is positioned to help our greater community and improve health care in our state," Garcia said. "It's an opportunity to strengthen our commitments with the Tribes. We are thankful for the Tribes, Elders, the Native American Health Sciences Tribal Advisory Board and Consultants, Native American Health Sciences, and the many people who have contributed to this program."