The Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s new pediatric residency program welcomed its inaugural class of residents to Spokane this summer, helping to fill a critical need for more pediatricians in eastern Washington.
Established last year in partnership with Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, the pediatric residency is the first of its kind east of the Cascades in Washington and is one of three WSU College of Medicine residency programs. The program was made possible through support from Premera Blue Cross, the Providence Inland Northwest Foundation, the Community Cancer Fund, and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“The purpose of the program is to build really good general pediatricians and to improve the care of children in the Inland Northwest,” said Program Director Christian Rocholl, MD.
Lindsey Klein, Lara Khalil, Anh Pham, McKenna Smith, Parvin Uddin, and Noelia Torres began their training on July 1 at community hospitals and clinics in Spokane. They will spend most of their time at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and will also work at CHAS Health, Kaiser Permanente, MultiCare, and Shriners Children’s clinics.
Of the six doctors forming the program’s first cohort, three attended a Washington medical school, including one from the WSU College of Medicine and two from the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. The three-year training program will have 18 residents at a time once all cohorts are filled.
Residents are much more likely to practice as physicians where they complete their residencies. Having a pediatric residency in eastern Washington increases the chances of attracting pediatricians to the communities that need them most.
While interviewing applicants, program leadership looked for those with ties to the Pacific Northwest who had demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to pediatrics.
“The whole process was really rewarding,” Rocholl said. “You’re interviewing these people who are really energetic, really eager to work in pediatrics and to learn pediatrics. It is very rewarding to know that the future is in good hands.”