$25 million gift will bolster rural, Indigenous healthcare
The University of Washington School of Medicine has received a $25 million gift from the Franke family to create the Franke Medical School Scholars Program and expand the number of physicians serving rural and Indigenous communities across the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI) region.
The gift will fund scholarships, student support, and educational programs for medical students committed to practicing in rural and Native communities in WWAMI. The program includes a $40 million scholarship endowment that will help cover tuition costs for approximately 30 students each year. UW President Robert J. Jones said the donation will help address the critical shortage of doctors in these communities and represents an investment in the health of the entire region.
By supporting the next generation of healthcare providers, the program has the potential to strengthen access to care and improve health outcomes across underserved communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.