The WWAMI Rural Health Research Center mourns the loss of Davis Patterson, PhD, who passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Davis was the former Director of both the Collaborative for Rural Primary Care Research, Education, and Practice (Rural PREP) and the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, and his contributions to rural health research left a lasting mark on our field and our community.
Davis dedicated his career to studying how to improve healthcare access for rural and underserved populations. He led research examining and identifying ways we can support the primary care and allied health workforces and innovative models such as community paramedicine, work that helped shape rural policy and practice across the country. He was a sociologist and Research Professor in the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, an investigator at the Center for Health Workforce Studies, and served as Deputy Director of the Health Workforce Research Center on Health Equity.
Many of us remember working alongside Davis and learning from his insight, expertise, and generosity. He brought a rare depth of knowledge to rural health research, but those who knew him will remember him just as much for his warmth, his enthusiasm, and the way he made you feel genuinely glad to see you. He was a foundational presence in our rural health community, and he will be deeply missed.
WWAMI RHRC extends our heartfelt condolences to Davis’s family, friends, and colleagues. His legacy of scholarship, mentorship, and dedication to rural communities will continue to influence this field for years to come.