As the college nears its 10-year anniversary, many are finding themselves looking back at the milestones that have been reached, the partnerships that have been made, and the work and support of our faculty, staff, and community to bring it all together.
Jeff Bell is just one such person who was not only there to see our first steps but helped us make them.
Over the years, Bell played an integral role in securing statewide support for a second medical school in Washington, employing his vast background in public policy. As he prepares to step back from his current role as Special Advisor to the Dean for Strategic Engagement this fall, Bell took some time to reflect on his experiences and the level of dedication and persistence that went into building a College of Medicine at WSU.
From the beginning of my journey with WSU and the College of Medicine from the summer of 2014 to now, I can say, without hesitation, it has been the job of a lifetime. I am honored to have played a small role in being part of such a big endeavor that will forever change the face of health care in Washington state. And in the process, I have made life-long friends.
The journey began in June of 2014 when I was contacted by the Office of Government Relations asking if I would be interested in joining the team to advocate passage of legislation establishing a second public medical school in Washington state. I did not hesitate to say ‘yes’ to the opportunity, joining President Elson S. Floyd and the team.
I had lots of reasons to become a Coug. My mother taught at Washington State College in the late 1940s, where she met my father, a returning WWII veteran. My sister later went to college in Pullman. I also liked the challenge of being the underdog for what was sure to be a battle with the big dog in Seattle. But more important, was the mission of making quality health care accessible to those who have traditionally been underserved. The passion around this mission galvanized all of us in making the case across Washington.
The team had a compelling message that resonated in every region of the state: “We need more physicians from Washington, trained in Washington, to serve in rural and underserved Washington communities.” We recognized early on that public and political support from health care professionals, health care organizations, and representatives from underserved communities was essential to pass the enabling legislation in the 2015 legislature.
The team traveled to every corner of the state, meeting with anyone connected to health care. We also visited with numerous tribes. In all these meetings, we listened carefully to the health care challenges and needs of each community. The feedback gave us insights into the needs for medical education training and curriculum, including the need for leadership training as part of that education.
In our travels, we found there were Cougs in every community eager to support their school. This network of alumni was so important in our efforts. We would be walking through a hospital or clinic and doctors, nurses, support staff, and administrators would say, “I’m a Coug!” and “Go Cougs!” and encourage our endeavor.
The result of our work led to an outpouring of public, political, tribal, and health care support from every region of the state. The legislation establishing WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine passed overwhelmingly in both legislature chambers in March 2015. Being in the governor’s office, surrounded by the team and area legislators as Governor Jay Inslee signed the legislation, was a remarkable moment.
Now, a new and intense phase of work began: how to stand up a College of Medicine on four campuses in two years. As part of this process, we needed to sign up partners across the state to train our students. My principal role was to get affiliation agreements with health care organizations, hospitals, and clinics.
Our team traveled the state once again. We were well received wherever we went. In general, organizations we met with were eager to have WSU medical students, even though the vast majority had never had a student in their practice or hospital. They saw the value of training a future doctor who might want to come back to their community to practice.
As a medical school predicated on serving rural and underserved communities, outreach to the 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington state and tribes that border Washington was essential. We met with many of the tribes and listened and learned about how we could best partner. This work included two trips to the University of North Dakota to visit their Indians into Medicine (INMED) program, where we were shown every aspect of their work and incorporated much of that work into the DNA of our college.
To have been part of this project from the very beginning, to where the college is today, is truly remarkable. It is living the vision Dr. Floyd had years ago. A few months ago, I sat next to a medical student from a small agricultural community in Walla Walla County. Her parents are farm workers, and she grew up in the fields working alongside them. She is the first in her family to graduate from college, let alone enter medical school. Upon completion of medical school and residency, her goal is to return to the community and practice medicine. This story says it all, and why the last 10 years have been so rewarding.
We thank Jeff Bell for his commitment to make the WSU College of Medicine a reality. With his diligent work over the years, we are in a strong position today to continue training health care leaders to practice in communities where they are needed most.
Bell says he has taken the word retirement out of his dictionary, so we will call it a transition into a new role and new adventures. You may still see Bell around the college as he continues to assist with projects as an independent contractor. And true to his determination to avoid a traditional retirement, he also consults with several area non-profits and competes in Ironman triathlons.