Wy’east Medicine is a tuition-free post-baccalaureate health education Pathway for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) learners who are passionate about becoming physicians. We recruit nationwide and our scholars receive a monthly stipend throughout the 10-month Pathway.
The Wy’east Medicine Pathway is designed to help American Indian and Alaska Native scholars thrive in their journey through medicine. Wy’east Medicine provides a holistic, culturally-specific framework for the successful recruitment, training, retention, and graduation of AI/AN learners pursuing medical school.
"We help our scholars realize their full potential. We value the Indigenous knowledge they bring."
– Dr. Allison Empey, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Director of Wy'east Medicine
Wy'east Medicine Objectives
To build upon scholars’ knowledge in core topic areas through rigorous coursework (e.g., biological sciences, epidemiology, research methods) and MCAT preparation
To amplify scholars’ strengths and resilience by imparting tools, skills, and resources that facilitate academic and personal self-efficacy and success (e.g., evidence-based study methods)
To promote scholars’ sense of cultural connectedness and community through immersion in a rich Indigenous community, Indigenous coursework, and cultural activities
Medical School Acceptance
Beginning in 2025, scholars will be admitted to the Wy’east Medicine Pathway through the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine.
One of the most valuable attributes of the Wy’east Medicine is the provision of conditional acceptance into the OHSU School of Medicine. This provision means that scholars will enter the OHSU School of Medicine as a first-year medical student provided that they (1) successfully complete the Wy’east Medicine Pathway, and (2) meet final matriculation requirements of the OHSU School of Medicine.
Wy'east Medicine Overview
The Wy’east Medicine Pathway takes place over 10 months, from mid-September to early June of each year. The Pathway is designed to be culturally rooted uniquely for AI/ANs to prepare and familiarize them with concepts and spaces they will be navigating in medical school.
The 10-month Pathway itself is housed within the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon.
Eligibility & Admissions Criteria
In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, Wy’east Medicine scholars will be expected to meet the admissions criteria for the OHSU School of Medicine. Scroll to see Wy’east Medicine Eligibility Requirements and specific Admissions Criteria.
* Please note due to OHSU policy, all Wy’east Medicine scholars must submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination as part of the immunization requirements. If you have questions about this policy, please email wyeast@ohsu.edu
Eligibility Requirements
Wy’east Medicine is intended for individuals who were not accepted to medical school or who do not possess a qualifying MCAT score for medical school. To be eligible for the Wy’east Medicine Pathway, the following criteria apply:
Be a citizen or descendant of a federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native Tribe (see FAQs page for further details)
Four-year degree from an accredited college or university
Minimum AMCAS GPA of 2.80
Must have previously taken the MCAT and received a score of 490 or higher
Applicants are strongly encouraged to have previously applied to medical school
Please note: All scholars accepted into Wy’east Medicine must also pass a drug screening, federal background check, and submit immunization records prior to entering the Pathway
Wy’east Medicine Admissions Criteria
To be considered for admission into the Wy’east Medicine Pathway by the OHSU School of Medicine, the following criteria apply:
Wy'east Medicine Application Timeline
Application Process
The primary application and secondary application are completed online, and your transcripts, recommendation letters, and documentation of tribal affiliation should be scanned and emailed as electronic attachments to wyeast@ohsu.edu.
A complete application consists of five components:
Primary application. All applicants complete and submit an online primary application. The primary application opens on March 31st and closes at 11:59pm on May 9th, 2025.
Secondary application. Applicant’s primary application submissions will be reviewed by the Wy’east Medicine team. Applicants will be invited (via email) to complete a secondary application, provided that applicants appear to meet the school's initial requirements. The secondary application is completed and submitted online. Please note that secondary applications are required for consideration for an interview. The deadline for submitting the secondary application is 11:59pm on May 16th, 2025.
Unofficial transcripts. Unofficial transcripts from all accredited undergraduate and graduate-level programs must be submitted. The deadline for receipt of unofficial transcripts is 11:59pm on May 16th, 2025. Your name and the name of the college or university must be clearly printed on the transcripts that you send. Transcripts with handwritten names or University names, and transcripts that are difficult to read will not be accepted.
Documentation of affiliation with a federally recognized Tribe. Forms of acceptable documentation:
A copy of your tribal membership card or identification card, OR
A letter from your tribal government attesting to your citizenship or descendance
Letters of recommendation. A minimum of two letters of recommendation are required. You may submit up to four letters of recommendation. Please ask your recommenders to email your letters directly to wyeast@ohsu.edu with your name in the subject line of the email.
*We recommend that you first view the secondary application and take note of the questions, prepare your responses in a separate document, and then copy/paste your responses to these questions into the application to avoid the application timing out prior to completion.
Submitting Documents
Transcripts, recommendation letters, and documentation of tribal affiliation should be scanned and emailed as electronic attachments to:
wyeast@ohsu.edu
Though we prefer that materials be sent via email, you may mail materials.
Attention: Wy’east Medicine Pathway
Oregon Health & Science University
Northwest Native American Center of Excellence
Mail Code: CL2N
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
Portland, OR 97239
*Mailed materials (including recommendation letters) must be postmarked by May 2nd so that they are received in time for proper consideration of your application. Wy’east Medicine is not responsible for lost materials.
Screening, Interviewing and Acceptance
Your primary application responses will be assessed to determine whether you meet the requirements for a secondary application. If you do, the Wy’east Medicine team will email you an invitation to complete a secondary application directly. We recommend checking your spam and junk folders frequently to ensure receipt of a secondary application invitation.
In late May, all complete applications will be reviewed. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in an interview day, which will take place in early to mid-June.
Interview days will be conducted virtually on a designated day. Please tentatively reserve early to mid-June on your calendar for interviews.
The results of interview day will be reviewed by the OHSU Wy’east Medicine admissions committee. The Wy’east Medicine team will decide who to accept into the Wy’east Medicine Pathway, and will reach out directly to notify applicants of acceptance.
Successful Completion of Wy'east Medicine and Matriculation into Medical School
Successful completion of the Wy’east Medicine Pathway includes, but is not limited to:
Attending all classes with no unexcused absences
Satisfactory completion of all coursework and quizzes
Obtaining a passing score during all end-of-block exams, and
Conscientiousness, courtesy and respect in all aspects of pathway activities.
In addition, OHSU School of Medicine has their own criteria for matriculation. See below.
Have specific questions or want to learn more?
Contact us at wyeast@ohsu.edu.
