In a recent visit to the WSU Spokane campus, the WSU Native American Health Sciences (NAHS) team had the opportunity to tour Senator Maria Cantwell through the program’s center and one-of-a-kind simulation space, providing a first-hand look at the ongoing work being led by the team.
NAHS Director Jerry Crowshoe and Amy Schoonover, a student in WSU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, shared insights into the program’s unique approach to educating the next generation of health professionals to address workforce gaps, especially in rural and underserved communities.
For example, this summer, the NAHS team successfully launched its second OLD WAYS cohort, a program for first and second-year WSU medical, nursing, and pharmaceutical students designed to build their practice with Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge and increase their understanding of the history of American Indian/Alaska Native people. Additionally, the team hosted its 30th Na-ha-shnee STEAM summer program in July, where youth can discover health science careers through hands-on learning experiences taught by healthcare providers, WSU Spokane faculty, and health sciences students.
Additionally, this fall, the team is gearing up for the design of an expanded clinical simulation space, made possible through $1.47 million in federal funding last year. Sen. Cantwell’s tour provided a look into the space, currently designated for remodel.
For more information about WSU’s Native American Health Sciences program, visit nativehealth.wsu.edu.
