In March, Spokane, Wash.-based Gonzaga University and Seattle-based University of Washington announced a medical school partnership. Six months later, the new medical school has 100 students on its campus, reports KXLY.com.
The University of Washington previously provided medical education through the WWAMI Medical Education Program, the medical school for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. The university had hoped to build its presence in the Spokane area, but dropped out when Pullman-based Washington State University revealed plans to build a medical school there. In 2014, the university began negotiations with Gonzaga.
The new medical school is off to a solid start with a current first-year class of 60 students. Officials hope to increase the class size to 80 in the coming years.