The WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine hosted a special guest for an intimate chat with a small group of medical students, faculty, and donors. Carmento Floyd is the wife of late Washington State University president Elson S. Floyd. It was his vision that led to the formation of a medical school at WSU.
Elson S. Floyd died of complications from colon cancer in 2015, just months after Washington’s governor signed the bill that gave WSU the authority to create the College of Medicine. In the years that have followed, Carmento Floyd has continued to support Washington State University and serve as one of the biggest cheerleaders for the college named in her husband’s honor.
“Thank you for having me, this is very special for me,” Floyd said during her recent visit. “With your support and all that you do and the way you represent Washington State University and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, I know great things will continue to happen.”
Floyd had a chance to tour the new Medicine Building on the WSU Spokane campus and explore the modern medical teaching spaces. Then she took some time for a conversation with current students to learn about their medical training, experiences working in clinical settings across the state, and their plans for the future.
“I thank you for all that you are doing to become the physician you need to be for the communities we need you to serve in,” Floyd told the students.
Elson S. Floyd envisioned a statewide and community-based program where medical students complete their academic and clinical work at one or more of the WSU campuses to establish relationships in and near underserved areas. Current medical students do just that. And with roots in Washington state, many hope to treat patients in communities across Washington upon the completion of their medical training.