Pursue a specialized interest through Pathways
The UW School of Medicine offers medical students the opportunity to pursue a particular interest and develop knowledge and skills through unique pathways. Students can participate in a range of pathways—from those dedicated to working with underserved communities domestically and abroad—to others focused on humanities and arts, or research. Pathways allow students to:
- Organize their courses and volunteer opportunities (and for some, clinical rotations) around a particular interest.
- Explore career interests with mentorship from faculty, staff, community members, and providers who share those interests.
Students may participate in a Pathway’s curriculum without completing all the Pathway requirements and may participate in and/or complete more than one Pathway. Completion of a Pathway is recognized in students' Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) and with a certificate at graduation.
Explore all Pathway programs.
The Black Health Justice Pathway provides a curriculum that highlights the systemic oppression of Black people and its resulting socioeconomic and health sequelae. Provide medical students with the foundational knowledge to assess health inequities through a critical lens. Provide medical students with tools to advocate for health equity within the UWSOM, in Black communities throughout WWAMI, and in their future practices as physicians. Dr. Peter Asante serves as director of this Pathway, which is administered by the Office of Healthcare Equity.
The Clinical and Translational Research Pathway introduces students to the key components and framework of designing, implementing, and disseminating the results of clinical or translational research. Dr. Mark Whipple serves as the director of this Pathway, which is administered by the Institute of Translational Health Sciences.
The Global Health Pathway provides medical students with the information and experiences necessary to practice in underserved communities worldwide. Founded in 2004, this Pathway is designed for students interested in research or clinical practice in resource-poor settings and with international communities. Dr. Susan Graham serves as the director of this Pathway, which is administered by the Department of Global Health.
The Humanities and the Arts Pathway (HAP) provides a unique educational experience for medical students to thoughtfully and creatively engage with patient stories and the experience of becoming a physician using specialized modules, clinical experiences, reflection, and creative expression. Founded in 2020, this Pathway is for students who are interested in using the arts and humanities to explore medicine. Dr. Andrea Kalus serves as Faculty Advisor for this Pathway which is administered by the Department of Dermatology.
The Indian Health Pathway provides a unique educational experience in American Indian and Alaska Native health. The American Indian and Alaska Native communities are two of the most underserved minority groups in the nation. Founded in 1992, this Pathway is for students who are interested in becoming medical providers in urban or rural indigenous communities. Dr. Jason Deen serves as director of this Pathway, which is administered by the Office of Healthcare Equity.
The Latinx Health Pathway provides medical students a unique educational opportunity in Hispanic health. The Hispanic community is one of the largest growing population groups in the nation and in Washington state. Founded in 2008, this Pathway is designed for students who are interested in becoming practitioners in communities (urban or rural) with Hispanic populations. Dr. Daniel Cabrera serves as director of this Pathway, which is administered by the Office of Healthcare Equity.
The LGBTQ Health Pathway provides educational opportunities and experiences to medical students that will better prepare them to provide culturally responsive care for LGBTQ populations. This Pathway was founded in 2016. Dr. Shilpen Patel serves as director of this Pathway, which is administered by the Office of Healthcare Equity.
The Spokane Leadership Pathway provides a foundation for students to be capable, effective physician-leaders within their organizations and communities. Rachelle Strawther serves as the Faculty Lead at Gonzaga University and Dr. Matt Hollon and Dr. Darin Eckert serve as the Pathway’s UW School of Medicine Spokane co-directors.
The Underserved Pathway is a curricular and experiential program for students interested in caring for rural and urban under-resourced, marginalized, and historically-excluded populations. Founded in 2006, the Pathway engages students in three educational avenues: longitudinal mentoring, a foundation of knowledge, and a variety of real-world experiences. Dr. Samira Farah serves as director of this Pathway, which is administered by the Department of Family Medicine.