WSU College of Medicine celebrates residents

SPOKANE - Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and Pullman Regional Hospital celebrated Friday, March 17, three residents who will begin providing patient care this summer as part of the new three-year WSU Family Medicine Residency Program in Pullman.

The three residents that were selected are Bolu Olawuyi, MD, a graduate of Windsore University School of Medicine from Leduc, Alberta; Jeffrey Ward, a medical student at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine from Twin Falls, Idaho; and Mohammed Younes, a medical student at Saba University School of Medicine from Edmonton, Alberta.

There are over 570 applicants, representing 238 medical schools from across the county and the world. 68 individuals were interviewed for three available positions. WSU College of Medicine and PRH learned who the residents would be on Friday as part of the Match Day process.

"Match Day is not only one of the most exciting moments of a medical student's career, it's one of the most exciting days for medical schools as we get to celebrate both where our students are going and which talented students from across the nation and world will join our residency programs," said Interim Dean for the WSU College of Medicine, Dr. Jim Record.

For several months, graduating students apply and interview for spots in their medical specialties of choice, and on Match Day the third Friday in March at 9 a.m. PDT medical students across the nation learn where they will spend the next three to seven years of their medical training.

"We are absolutely delighted to fill all three of our residency positions with the level of talent and passion for rural communities that these individuals have," said a program director for the Pullman WSU Family Medicine Residency Program, and Pullman Regional Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Stephen Hall.

The residency program is the college's first rural residency. The program earned accreditation in May 2021, and began receiving applications for the residency positions in September, 2022.

"For Washingtonians, particularly in Eastern Washington where we have far fewer residency programs, this marks what we hope to be one of many Match Days in which we welcome new residents into underserved communities where their enthusiasm, passion and care for patients will make a tremendous impact," Record said.

The program is focused at PRH, sub-specialty clinics with area physicians, and in the new residency primary care clinic that opened February 2023. Hosting three residents per year, with a total of nine residents when fully implemented.

"We have been planning for this moment for many years and are ready to welcome our residents to the Palouse this summer. Our medical community is eager to partner with our residents and launch a legacy of training exceptional family medicine physicians who will serve our local communities."

"This is history in the making," said Pullman Regional Hospital CEO, Matt Forge. "Because of the commitment of many, many people, this is one of the first residency programs to partner with a critical access hospital. Our partnership with WSU is helping us help rural communities thrive through better access to primary care."