WSU building a truly statewide medical school with new dean

Perspectives-logoPULLMAN, Wash. – Dr. John Tomkowiak hit the ground running as he began to assume his duties as inaugural dean of the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine last week.

Tomkowiak accompanied Dr. Ken Roberts, acting dean of the College of Medicine, on part of a statewide tour for “self study” meetings with our health care provider partners in Spokane, Tri Cities, Vancouver and Everett. From all accounts, those conversations were enthusiastic and fruitful.

From the beginning, one of the differentiating features of the WSU medical school has been the community model on which it is being built. Unlike traditional schools of medicine, the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine will not include construction and management of a large teaching hospital as the training ground for medical students.

Rather, it will feature strong partnerships with existing health care providers around the state with the goal of training students in communities where they are needed most.

Read all of WSU Interim President Dan Bernardo’s Perspectives column at http://blog.president.wsu.edu/2015/10/12/wsu-building-a-truly-statewide-medical-school-with-new-dean-at-helm/.