2026-2027 MEDEX Application Cycle Is Now Open
Applications will be accepted May 1 - October 1, 2026 for June 2027 matriculation.
Prospective applicants should review the updated admissions criteria on the Applicants page before applying.
News & Events
Announcements, updates, posts, invitations, and stories linked to the daily aspects of MEDEX Northwest, its five campuses, its place in the UW Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine, and its leading role in the field of PA education.
New MEDEX Veterans Video
Since 1969 MEDEX Northwest has been committed to medics and corpsmen transitioning from the military to become PAs in the private sector. Watch the video
John Betz, PA-C, retires after 44 Years
In 1967, John Betz was a recruited by Dick Smith to train for a new category of mid-level practitioners at MEDEX. During his preceptorship phase, Betz was assigned to rural clinic in Othello, WA where he remained in practice for 44 years. This digital story captures Betz’s life and career [...]
MEDEX “Engagement” Video
What does it take to become a physician assistant? Apart from the basic clinical skills of medicine, one must cultivate trusting relationships with the patients. During their first year at MEDEX Northwest, PA students learn the necessary clinical skills in the classroom setting— taking a medical history, and conducting medical [...]
MEDEX Graduation Video 2014
In August of 2014, 119 students graduated from MEDEX Northwest from across four sites: Seattle, Spokane, Yakima and Anchorage. This short video captures the celebratory moment, when two years of personal sacrifice, intensive study and clinical rotations opens up the profession of physician assistant to these individuals.
MEDEX Seattle Opens New Classroom
In January of 2014, MEDEX Seattle didactic students returned from winter break to a new classroom, effectively doubling the size of the previous space.
PAs and the ACA
A recently published article in Academic Medicine examines the potential impact of the Affordable Care Act on large medical education programs, including the University of Washington. Entire sections address the critical importance of physician assistants in implementation of the ACA.
MEDEX Tacoma Campus Now Open
MEDEX Northwest is proud to have opened its newest site—for 28 students—on the campus of the University of Washington, Tacoma. Our opening ceremony on September 16th honored the entering students, but also the leaders throughout the community who have helped to make this happen.
The Liza Benson Endowed Fund for MEDEX
The Liza Benson Endowed Fund for MEDEX was established in loving memory of Elizabeth G. “Liza” Benson by her mother, sister and brother. This fund will support scholarships for aspiring physician assistants in perpetuity. Donate to the fund.
Students Awarded Tillman Scholarships
Two current MEDEX students, DJ Smith of Seattle Class 46 and Dustin Golding of Yakima Class 19, have been awarded the prestigious Tillman Military Scholarship. Of 1,800 total applicants, only 60 were selected based on their service already rendered and their desire to continue that service. MEDEX Northwest congratulates DJ [...]
Ruth Ballweg Named Full Professor
In 2012 MEDEX Section Chief Ruth Ballweg, MPA, PA-C, received the Eugene A. Stead Award of Achievement, the most prestigious award in the physician assistant world. In 2013 the UW School of Medicine further recognized her achievements and promoted Ruth to full Professor.