John McCarthy, M.D., Named UW School of Medicine Assistant Dean for Rural Programs

We are very pleased to announce that John McCarthy, M.D. UW School of Medicine Assistant Clinical Dean for central and eastern Washington has been named Assistant Dean for Rural Programs. This is a new position, and is responsible for leading and developing UWSOM’s rural academic programs including the Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP), WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience (WRITE), and the Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST).
In his new role Dr. McCarthy is tasked with developing and maintaining strong relationships with UWSOM departments, UWSOM faculty, clerkship directors, rural health systems, hospitals and physicians throughout the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI) region, and to represent UWSOM in state and national organizations that focus on rural health and medical education. Additionally, Dr. McCarthy will be responsible for leading the WWAMI Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program to improve the quality and distribution of all health professionals in our region.
All of you who know Dr. McCarthy have witnessed his passion for ensuring that high-quality healthcare is available in rural communities. His experience living, working and practicing medicine in rural communities for many years, and having spent the last eight years as an Assistant Clinical Dean shows he has the breadth and depth of expertise needed to ensure that the rural programs at the UW School of Medicine continue to thrive and grow.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. McCarthy on his new position.