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DOCS: Idaho paving the way

| June 8, 2018 1:00 AM

Idahoans will have improved access to medical care over the next decade thanks to the recent support of the Idaho Legislature.

After growing up in rural Montana, training in Seattle and Idaho, working internationally in New Zealand and southern Africa and now working as teaching faculty for a residency program in North Idaho, I have realized how important family physicians can be to a community.

Watching the legislative session this year, I couldn’t be more excited to hear about the work done to increase funding for more residency training programs here in Idaho. There are currently not enough medical residencies in Idaho for medical school graduates to continue their education in Idaho — often times where they grew up and where they want to work when they are done with medical training.

The Legislature should be proud of their recent agreement to work to add 25 additional residencies in Idaho. Up to 75 percent of physicians who complete a residency program work within 100 miles of where they do their residency. In a state with aging physicians, this investment could not have come at a better time.

Thank you to the Legislature for your action in prioritizing improved health care in Idaho!

CRYSTAL PYRAK, M.D.

Faculty Physician

Kootenai Clinic Coeur d’Alene

Family Medicine Residency