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New podcast pushes for healthcare professionals’ mental health

Medical students and faculty at the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of MedicineA new podcast created by faculty at the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine explores how physicians and other healthcare professionals can maintain their physical and mental health.

“Finding Joy: The Health Care Professional’s Journey to Wellness and Resiliency” features doctors, nurses, medical students from the WSU College of Medicine, and other health care professionals as they dive into the challenges they face and how they manage practicing wellness in their careers.

Facing a health care landscape that was overwhelmed by provider shortages and access … » More …

Increased take‑home methadone during pandemic did not worsen outcomes

Image by Zerbor on iStockSPOKANE, Wash. — Relaxing limits on take-home doses of methadone—a medication used to treat opioid addiction—does not appear to lead to worse treatment outcomes, according to a new study led by Washington State University researchers.

Published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the study looked at the impact of a temporary policy change allowing providers to send patients home with additional methadone doses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, federal regulations allowed take-home privileges only for established patients who have proven themselves stable, a measure intended to reduce risk of patients … » More …

Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine featured on TVW’s ‘Field Report’

WSU Spokane CampusThe history and advancements of Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine were recently highlighted on the state’s public affairs network.

TVW’s Field Report, hosted by Angela Nolasco, delved into the origins and mission of the College of Medicine as part of their latest episode, which is available online.

Central to the founding of WSU’s medical school was the need to address critical shortages of doctors among rural communities across the state.

“When the medical school was really envisioned, it was really meant to serve the parts of the state that maybe … » More …

The Lucky Seven Foundation’s gifts provide students the opportunity to improve rural and underserved communities

The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine received a gift over $1 million dollars from the Lucky Seven Foundation that will help students over the next four years continue to serve rural and underserved communities as primary and family medicine physicians.

WSU Elson S. Floyd students on campus; medical students

With this grant, funds from the Lucky Seven Foundation will award $20,000 scholarships to three students in various cohorts each year.

“It is hard to put into words … » More …

Real-time stress detection devices could help fight alcohol relapses

wristdeviceWearable devices can detect people’s stress, according to new Washington State University research, opening potential new interventions for people with addictions.

In a paper published today, July 21, in the JMIR Formative Research, a WSU research team found that wearable wristbands measure physiological responses to stress in real-time and real-world situations, providing a potential method to help people avoid slipping back into old behaviors.

Stress is one of the most common reasons for people with Alcohol Use Disorder, more commonly known as alcoholism, to relapse and start drinking again, said Michael Cleveland, an associate professor in … » More …

Faculty Feature: Dr. Jonny Salud

Jonny SaludDr. Jonny Salud, MD, MPH

Core Faculty
Internal Medicine Residency Program – Everett

What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I am fortunate to be surrounded by many doctors in my family, all of whom have been supportive as I pursued opportunities performing and recording music. It was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina while living in New Orleans that I was shaken to the core in such a way that I committed to a career … » More …

More support for College of Medicine’s residency program in Pullman

Pullman Regional HospitalA $500,000 gift to Pullman Regional Hospital from an anonymous couple is the latest in a series of significant contributions made to support the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s first family medicine residency program in Pullman.

The College of Medicine and Pullman Regional Hospital are partnering to launch a new three-year physician residency training program in June 2022. The program earned its accreditation status in May.

Pullman Regional Hospital will renovate approximately 5,000 square feet of space this fall to accommodate resident physicians beginning in June 2022. The new space will include 14 exam rooms as well as a study … » More …

College of Medicine granted full accreditation

Spokane Campus, WSU Spokane, WSU Health Sciences CampusWashington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine has received full accreditation, the final milestone in an accreditation journey that has spanned nearly six years.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the accrediting agency for medical degree programs in the U.S. and Canada, granted full accreditation after conducting an extensive virtual site visit in October 2020 and evaluating the College of Medicine’s progress in meeting the LCME’s rigorous standards. The LCME also identified areas where the college will need to focus on making adjustments and improvements both … » More …

Alumni donate $250,000 to family medicine residency program in Pullman

Pullman Regional HospitalA WSU alumni couple is supporting the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s first family medicine residency program in Pullman with a $250,000 gift.

Tom and Linda Nihoul, wealth management professionals and healthcare advocates, are making the donation in support of enhancing access to rural healthcare.

“When we were learning about the joint efforts of WSU and Pullman Regional Hospital to establish a residency program in Pullman, it really resonated with us,” Tom Nihoul said. “We’re originally from small towns and know first-hand, quality primary care is key for a thriving community.”

Added Linda … » More …

Stress during pandemic linked to poor sleep

Sleep, pandemic, sleepless woman, stress, researchMany people likely lost sleep over COVID‑19. A study of twins led by Washington State University researchers found that stress, anxiety and depression during the first few weeks of the pandemic were associated with less and lower quality sleep.

In a survey of more than 900 twins taken shortly after COVID‑19 lockdown measures began, about half of the respondents reported no change in their sleep patterns, but around a third, 32.9%, reported decreased sleep. Another 29.8% reported sleeping more. In the analysis, the researchers found that any change in sleep was connected … » More …