Washington State University is ready to accept applications for its new medical school opening in August 2017.
In October, the school earned preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. That meant WSU could begin recruiting students.
WSU expects about 60 students in the inaugural class of its Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in Spokane.
"This is a significant moment in Washington State University's 126-year history," says WSU President Kirk Schulz.
Students will receive medical education across four of WSU's campuses: Everett, Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver. John Tomkowiak, founding dean of the college of medicine, has said that the hope is that students remain in Washington state to practice medicine.
The preliminary accreditation also marks a shift in the rift between WSU and the University of Washington. The UW medical school program is now working with Gonzaga University, and welcomed 60 students this year.
Gonzaga president Thayne McCulloh says he's happy to see WSU's medical school add more future doctors to the area: "This is a wonderful step toward continued growth of health science education and related research for the Inland Northwest, and a significant milestone for Spokane."
