Dr. E. Victor Simison lived in Pocatello and had a distinguished medical career that included serving other physicians in this state as President of the Idaho State Medical Association and several other roles. In 1968, he was asked by then Idaho State University (ISU) President Bud Davis to be the first Dean of the College of Medical Arts at ISU – now known as the Kasika College of Health Professions. He retired from active practice to take on the role because he had a vision of an expanded, viable and high-quality College of Medical Arts to meet the needs of Idaho.

Fast forward fifty years later and there are lots of conversations at the Capitol this legislative session going on around healthcare and education. One thing is for sure. Idaho needs to continue to focus on the growing need for doctors to provide healthcare for its residents. According to 2022 data from the U.S. Physician Workforce Data Dashboard published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), there are less than 3,800 physicians active in Idaho, and nearly 20 percent of them are 65 years or older.

To increase the number of doctors practicing in Idaho, we have to keep the conversations focused on getting Idaho kids who want to become doctors educated. And if we want them to live and practice in Idaho with our values after graduating, then there is no better way to do that than to look right here at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM).

Located in Meridian, next to and collaborating with ISU, ICOM has been a success story. What started nearly a decade ago has now grown into a thriving medical school.

It has been reported that ICOM’s ownership group is open to the school being purchased by the State of Idaho transforming it into the State’s first public medical school. Along with a continued State investment in MD education opportunities, and the need for all Idaho colleges and universities to be engaged in educating more healthcare professionals, ICOM is presenting an opportunity to help Idaho further meet its healthcare needs today. This is the conversation that the Idaho legislature needs to be having now around healthcare and education. Especially if we are to take advantage of this opportunity for the State of Idaho to keep Idahoans here who can provide an essential service to our local communities.

As we wait on this important issue, ISU and ICOM are reaffirming their commitment to health education as demonstrated by their recent joint agreement to facilitate an expanded research partnership. With ISU's health programs designed to prepare students for careers in health professions, this is significant collaboration between their organizations as they are focused on providing premier healthcare education opportunities for Idaho residents.

Dr. E. Victor Simison knew 50 years ago that Idaho needed top-notch, affordable medical education to help Idaho kids become healthcare professionals. That remains as true today as it did back then. As Mayor of Meridian, I will continue to work on solutions to our State’s healthcare needs as my grandfather did, and encourage the legislature to move forward on the conversation of Idaho purchasing ICOM to help meet our growing need of doctors.