ISU associate dean to head Idaho Medical Association

Idaho State University Graduate Medical Education and Professional Relations associate dean Dr. Bill Woodhouse has been installed as president of the Idaho Medical Association.

Woodhouse has been involved with medical organizations for more than 25 years, having represented his colleagues in the Wyoming Medical Society before coming to Idaho in 1994. Woodhouse also worked as president of the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians Board in 2002-2003.

Woodhouse said access to health care and insurance are issues he wants to address as IMA President. He said there are still 60,000 to 70,000 Idahoans who have no access to health insurance and health care. “There are patients who can’t get the medicines we prescribe, can’t get the medical treatment they need, and they end up in the hospital. IMA strongly supports the Medicaid expansion to cover the gap.”

The IMA and its members have contributed more than $70,000 to a statewide initiative in support of Medicaid expansion. Idaho is one of 17 states that have not yet extended the coverage.

Woodhouse also wants to address the need for bringing physicians to Idaho. . Idaho ranks 49th in the nation for physicians per capita, and 49th for residency slots in the nation.

“The IMA board is a very hard working bunch of professionals that care an awful lot about their patients and take a great deal of pride in representing their colleagues,” Woodhouse said. “I’m honored by the opportunity.”