Native American physician numbers could increase with new path to medicine

OHSU offers the only post-baccalaureate, pre-medical program exclusively for Native Americans

By Franny White June 20, 2019 Portland, Oregon

Downloads

(Left to right) Mike Lewis kisses his daughter Kyna Lewis during a blanket ceremony at the Wy’east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway graduation ceremony on June 14, 2019 at PSU’s Native American Student Community Center. The Wy'east program provides conditional acceptance into the OHSU medical school, for students who complete the pathway. (OHSU/Michael Schmitt)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

(Left to right) Candice Jimenez and her husband, Adolfo Alberto Jimenez, during a blanket ceremony at the Wy’east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway graduation ceremony on June 14, 2019 at PSU’s Native American Student Community Center. The Wy'east program provides conditional acceptance into the OHSU medical school, for students who complete the pathway. (OHSU/Michael Schmitt)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

(Left to right) Student Baroness "B" Casta Nemici covers Jessica Souphanavong, as her husband Cesar Salas and daughter Matilda look on during a blanket ceremony at the Wy’east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway graduation ceremony on June 14, 2019 at PSU’s Native American Student Community Center. The Wy'east program provides conditional acceptance into the OHSU medical school, for students who complete the pathway. (OHSU/Michael Schmitt)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

(Left to right) Dr. Erik Brodt talks with Jacob Smith at the Wy’east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway graduation ceremony on June 14, 2019 at PSU’s Native American Student Community Center. The Wy'east program provides conditional acceptance into the OHSU medical school, for students who complete the pathway. (OHSU/Michael Schmitt)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

Kayla Murphy (left) receives a blanket during a blanket ceremony at the Wy’east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway graduation ceremony on June 14, 2019 at PSU’s Native American Student Community Center. The Wy'east program provides conditional acceptance into the OHSU medical school, for students who complete the pathway. (OHSU/Michael Schmitt)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

(Left to right) Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway students, following a blanket ceremony on June 14, 2019 at PSU’s Native American Student Community Center: Jacob Smith, Audrey Juliussen, Kayla Murphy, Kyna Lewis, Jessica Souphanavong and her daughter, Matilda, Jasmine Curry, Ashley Wirth, Baroness “B” Castra Nemici, Candice Jimenez, and Aaron Thomas. The Wy'east program provides conditional acceptance into the OHSU medical school, for students who complete the pathway. (OHSU/Michael Schmitt)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

Dr. Meryl Sundy (left) works with Ashley Wirth as they volunteer with the Casey Eye Institute Outreach Program during a service trip working with the Klamath Tribes community in Chiloquin, Oregon, June 3, 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

Jasmine Curry works with a patient as she volunteers with the Casey Eye Institute Outreach Program in Chiloquin, Oregon, June 3, 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway student Jessica Souphanavong gives a poster presentation, June 13, 2019 at OHSU. The Wy'east program provides conditional acceptance into the OHSU medical school, for students who complete the pathway. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway student Jacob Smith gives a poster presentation, June 13, 2019 at OHSU. The Wy'east program provides conditional acceptance into the OHSU medical school, for students who complete the pathway. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Ashley Wirth (2019)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway student Ashley Wirth, June 3, 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Jasmine Curry (2019)

Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway student Jasmine Curry, June 3, 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)