Specialized skill development

Extending an already strong partnership between WWAMI and the Gritman Medical Center, the program's new anatomy training facility is located in a medical office building across from the main hospital. This state-of-the-art instructional space is like few other anatomy labs – with a view from the third floor, its abundant exposure to natural daylight is a favorite feature of students and instructors alike.

Flad developed a program and design to fit-out this 10,000-square-foot space that houses the anatomy lab as well as an active learning classroom, student lounge, and faculty offices. The highly flexible spaces are available to students around the clock, supporting group learning and preparation for direct clinical experiences. The interiors intentionally call forth a sense of community and camaraderie for students during what can be very intense training, while graphics throughout mimic a journey through the human body, inspired by the film "Fantastic Voyage."

The project establishes a strong identity for the WWAMI program at UI while increasing its enrollment capacity and further extending a valued relationship with practitioners and partners at the neighboring medical center. This enduring regional medical education partnership includes the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Complementing the nearby Huckabay Medical Education Building, also designed by Flad, these facilities together support the state's goals to overcome a deficit of healthcare providers, particularly in rural regions.