making a
difference STORIES AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE UW FOUNDATION
Expanding the Field:
A Remedy for Rural Medicine
AS SHE HITS THE BOOKS IN HER THIRD YEAR OF MEDICAL
the Genevieve Bale Endowed Scholarship. “After all, this is
SCHOOL, GRACE LIM IS ACUTELY AWARE OF A TROUBLING
a group that’s likely to be drawn back home after college.”
PARADOX: DESPITE THE ANNUAL CROP OF NEW PHYSICIANS
Motivated by the idea, she developed a ‘how to’ orientation
GRADUATING FROM THE UW, THERE ARE STILL AREAS OF
and mentorship model for local high-school students that
WASHINGTON STATE WHERE DOCTORS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY,
includes details about college and medical school admissions,
LEAVING COMMUNITIES VULNERABLE. GRACE NOT ONLY
scholarships and peer support. She also provided one-on-
KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, SHE IS HELPING SOLVE IT.
one mentoring.
Through the Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program,
Grace hasn’t yet decided what type of medicine she’ll
the UW is providing students like Grace with unique learning
practice, but she knows one thing for certain, “I’ll be a better
experiences in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and
doctor because of the unique hands-on experiences that the
Idaho that lead to a better understanding of the challenges
UW School of Medicine provides.”
of practicing medicine where doctors are scarce. During her four-week rotation in the program, Grace worked side-byside with physicians in Port Angeles to address this issue and gain patient care experience. “Feeding the pipeline of doctors is critical for rural areas, and local young people should be encouraged to think about applying to medical school,” said Grace, recipient of
ABOVE: Medical student Grace Lim developed a medical school admissions how-to guide for young adults in Port Angeles as part of the Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program, which places about 110 UW medical students in rural or urban underserved communities for four weeks each summer. BELOW: Grace practicing a pressure cuff.
MAKE a DIFFERENCE TODAY Do your part to help students like Grace reach their dreams. Learn how at uwfoundation.org.
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