MOSCOW, ID — The University of Idaho is advancing a new medical education partnership aimed at expanding Idaho’s physician workforce.

According to a university press release , U of I has entered into a collaboration agreement with the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah to begin preliminary development of a regionally based undergraduate medical education program in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. The move follows unanimous approval by the Idaho State Board of Education and aligns with House Bill 368, passed during the 2025 legislative session.

University officials said the initiative is intended to expand medical student training beyond existing programs, with a focus on rural and underserved communities.

The proposed program would build on Idaho’s long-standing WWAMI partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine, which allows Idaho students to complete part of their medical education in Moscow. The University of Utah currently admits 10 Idaho students each year.

If approved, the new program would complement WWAMI and increase in-state training capacity .

Under the proposal, U of I and the University of Utah would share governance through a joint steering committee overseeing admissions, curriculum, clinical training and faculty recruitment. The program would comply with Idaho law and the University of Utah’s accreditation requirements.

According to the release, all participating students would be Idaho residents and complete most coursework and clinical rotations in Idaho. Students would be required to commit to at least four years of medical practice in Idaho after residency or repay the state’s investment, and would contribute to the Rural Physician Incentive Program .

University officials said the partnership is designed to strengthen Idaho’s long-term physician pipeline by training more doctors in-state and encouraging them to practice in Idaho communities.