MOSES LAKE – Samaritan Healthcare has announced a partnership with Washington State University’s College of Medicine to support medical students, according to a Samaritan press release.

“We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to advance our partnership with the WSU College of Medicine,” said Samaritan CEO Theresa Sullivan. “Their commitment to training physicians and medical professionals towards a rural track is vital to the development of our future workforce.”

The two organizations will collaborate to aid in the development of an undergraduate medical education program that may eventually develop into a future expansion of a residency program based in Moses Lake. Future doctors, nurses and pharmacists are expected to participate in the program. One hope is that it will help the college and hospital develop leaders in rural medicine, the release said.

“The College of Medicine was established to create healthcare leaders that our rural communities need now,” Dr. James M. Record, Interim Dean for the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. “This partnership with Samaritan exemplifies our dedication to investing in central Washington communities to expand both healthcare education and healthcare access to its residents.”

While Samaritan has hosted medical, nursing and pharmacy students in the past, the new undergraduate medical education program will expand the program to host up to four students each year. The program is set to begin this summer.

“I’m excited to be able to train students from small communities who fully intend to live and work in rural communities in the future,” said Samaritan’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Andrea Carter. “Being a physician in a small community has its challenges, but it’s incredibly rewarding and we are excited to show them it can be done.”