WWAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION
The WWAMI School of Medical Education is a collaboration among six universities in five northwestern states — Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho — and the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine.
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) offers the Doctor of Medicine program and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Medical Studies. WWAMI enables Alaskan medical students to begin their medical education in-state, completing the first two years at UAA before participating in required clinical rotations throughout the five-state WWAMI region during their third and fourth years.
After their second year, students can complete their clinical training in Alaska or at regional sites. The WWAMI Medical Program focuses on preparing physicians for primary care practice and increasing the number of doctors in rural and underserved areas. The program emphasizes excellence in research and teaching, with faculty committed to medical education and community health.
WWAMI is a medical school program, not a premedical program. Enrolled students are dual-enrolled at UAA and UW, completing an 18-month foundational phase that includes integrated basic and clinical sciences, with early exposure to rural healthcare.
This certificate is designed to help students who already have a baccalaureate degree prepare themselves for medical school and complete their pre-requisite coursework.
With a focus on primary and rural health care, the Alaska WWAMI provides flexibility as you pursue your career goals with advanced patient care training, electives and other experiences that help you transition into residency training.
NEWS & Stories
Recently, on November 7, the UAA College of Health’s Interprofessional Education (IPE) Committee launched its 2025–2026 event series with a session focused on “A Lived Experience with Disabilities.”
Oct. 3, 2025, was a big day for the Alaska Area Health Education Center (AHEC), which is proudly housed within the UAA College of Health! AHEC marked its 20th anniversary with a special legislative citation from the Alaska State Legislature—a well-deserved recognition for two decades of crucial work.
Darrel Foister Jr., School of Nursing alum and military veteran, now serves Alaska communities as a family nurse practitioner.
UAA's Area Health Education Center (AHEC) helped bring hands-on healthcare career opportunities to over 100 students at a career fair in Ninilchik, where they engaged in activities like sheep eye dissections to explore health-related fields.
The 2025 ALPHA Health Summit, held at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage, featured a session on combating substance use disorders through academic detailing, presented by UAA’s Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce (ACRH-HW).
Student & Community opportunities
Della Keats is a four (4) week, residential program for high school students on the UAA Anchorage campus. This program is fully funded, including travel, food, and accommodations.
This free, annual WWAMI event offers a full day of speakers, workshops and information for anyone interested in pursuing a career in medicine. High school students, undergraduates, college graduates, parents and school counselors are invited to attend.
The UW School of Medicine's Service Learning program provides students with opportunities to hone their skills while addressing the health needs of our underserved communities.
WWAMI offers numerous Pathways giving students the opportunity to pursue a particular interest and develop knowledge and skills specifically tailored to working with specific communities domestically and abroad.
Experience rural medicine with immersive programs such as AHEC, RUOP, WRITE, Della Keats, and many more!
Alaska Trust is a medical school program focused in rural underserved care, with the
hope that physician graduates will return to practice in the rural underserved communities
of Alaska.
Contact Us:
Phone: 907-786-4789
Fax: 907-786-4700
Email: uaa_wwami@alaska.edu
UAA Health Sciences Building
3795 Piper Street, Suite 301
Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Mailing Address:
3211 Providence Drive, HSB 301
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
