WWAMI is a collaborative medical school among universities in five northwestern states ( Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) and the University of Washington School of Medicine.
The Alaska WWAMI Program began at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (as WAMI) in 1971. The program moved to the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1989. Historically, ten Alaska residents were admitted to the Alaska WWAMI program each year. However, through the combined efforts of the Alaska WWAMI Program, the University of Alaska, and the Alaska legislature, the Alaska WWAMI class size has been doubled.
The Alaska WWAMI Program now admits 20 students per year!
Students apply to the University of Washington School of Medicine; upon admission, Alaska's WWAMI students complete their first year of medical school at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The first year of training includes courses in basic sciences and an introduction to clinical medicine.
Students from all five WWAMI states attend second-year courses at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. The third and fourth years of the medical school curriculum are comprised of "clerkships"--rotations in the various medical specialty areas. These clerkships may be taken in any of the five WWAMI states. Students who choose the "Alaska Track" can take nearly all of these clerkships in Alaska.
Alaskans can now complete
approximately
3 of the 4 years
of medical school in Alaska!
The UAA WWAMI Biomedical Program also sponsors the Della Keats / U-DOC Summer Enrichment Program and the NIH NIDDK Short-Term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP) for high school students. Twenty to twenty-five high school students (juniors and seniors) are accepted each year. The Della Keats / U-DOC and NIDDK Summer Programs are designed to encourage interest in medicine, biomedical research, and other health-care careers and to help students prepare for the rigors of college and medical school.
INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN HEALTH CARE?
If you're interested in pursuing a career in the field of health care, Alaska WWAMI can help you!
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND APPLICANTS
Depending on your current level in school, the University of Alaska and the WWAMI program can help you learn about a career in medicine, from summer programs for high school students to the admissions process for medical school. Click on the links below to find resources and important information about your current program of study.
High School Students
Undergraduates
College Graduates
ALASKA WWAMI MEDICAL STUDENT INFORMATION
This website provides helpful information for Alaska WWAMI medical students.
ALASKA WWAMI PROGRAMS
The Alaska WWAMI Program offers numerous programs for Alaskans--whether they be high school students, pre-medical undergraduate students, medical students, medical residents, practicing physicians, or the general community. To read more about Alaska WWAMI programs, click here.
ALASKA WWAMI AND THE COMMUNITY
You're not a student, but you want to learn more about the WWAMI program? Select the most applicable link below to find more information.
Alaska WWAMI Program Faculty and Staff
History of the Alaska WWAMI Program
Alaska WWAMI First-Year Medical Student Awards
Alaska WWAMI Faculty and Program Awards
Information for Alaskan Health Professionals
Other Information