The Washington Alliance of Teaching Physicians is stepping up its efforts to support a fully accredited medical school in Spokane, say Spokane physicians Jeremy Graham and Henry Mroch, spokesmen for the ad hoc group.

Representatives of ATP, which is made up of a few dozen, mostly Spokane-area physicians, have been meeting with legislators sporadically and now want to bring their message to Gov. Jay Inslee.

Were clinical doctors, not activists, says Graham. Weve been meeting with legislators. We have an effort under way now to urge the governor to meet with us. We perceive the governor, like a lot of legislators, doesnt have information about whats available or not available in Spokane without a real medical school here.

ATP also supports efforts of Greater Spokane Incorporated to create awareness that the need for a second medical school in Washington state rises above the debate over whether Pullman-based Washington State University, or Seattle-based University of Washington would run it.

Most importantly, Graham and Mroch say, a second medical school is needed here to address a physician shortage in most counties throughout the state.

The physician shortage is real. Its something thats happening, not something that might happen, Mroch says, adding that nearly half of the counties in the state have only one doctor per 1,000 population, while the national average is around 2.7 doctors per 1,000.

Central and Eastern Washington are especially underserved, he says.

The existing medical programs here include UWs five-state WWAMI program, which needs to grow to benefit the entire state, Graham says.

The best partner to make that happen is a new fully accredited medical school, he says.

WWAMIwhich stands for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idahodoesnt contribute what a full medical school brings to the economy, he contends.

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Washington Alliance of Teaching Physicians plugs creation of medical school in Spokane