Addressing Washington State’s physician shortage through Rotary Medical Scholarship
There is a growing healthcare challenge across Washington State, where rural and underserved communities face limited access to licensed physicians, creating gaps in care that affect individuals, families, and entire regions.
What if the solution was not just building more facilities, but investing in the people who will serve those communities?
That is exactly what the Bellevue Sunrise Rotary Medical Scholarship at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine was created to do.
A Scholarship Built on Service
The Bellevue Sunrise Rotary Medical Scholarship was established by the Bellevue Sunrise Rotary Club in partnership with the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at WSU. The goal is clear and urgent: to help reduce the shortage of physicians across Washington by supporting students who are committed to serving where they are needed most.
This effort reflects a shared mission between Rotary and the medical school. Rotary’s guiding principle of Service Above Self aligns closely with the college’s vision of preparing healthcare leaders who will serve communities across the state, especially those that have historically lacked access to care.
Rather than a one-time award, the scholarship is designed as a long-term investment.
Through the creation of an endowment, the program continues to grow, expanding its ability to support future medical students year after year.
From Vision to Momentum Across Washington State
What began as a single scholarship has quickly grown into something much larger.
In just over a year, more than $31,000 was raised, surpassing the initial $25,000 goal needed to establish a self-sustaining endowment. A District Grant in the first year helped accelerate that progress, along with matching support through the Washington State University Foundation.
Today, the scholarship has grown well beyond its original goal. As of June 30, 2025, the scholarship market value exceeds $116,000, creating a sustainable funding model that continues to support students year after year. Approximately 4 percent of the fund is distributed annually to scholarship recipients.
The long-term vision continues to expand. What started as a single scholarship has grown into an aspirational goal of four four-year scholarships, with one awarded each year. That vision was strengthened through the mentorship of past District Governor Bill McElroy, who helped bring clarity and momentum to the program in its early stages.
This is not just fundraising. It is a coordinated, long-term effort to address a statewide healthcare need.
The First Rotary Scholar
The first recipient of the Rotary Medical Scholarship was Britta Bunnel, a student in the Washington State University College of Medicine Class of 2025 and part of the Tri-Cities learning community.
Her journey reflects both the purpose of the scholarship and the kind of impact it is meant to create.
From an early age, Britta dreamed of becoming a doctor, driven by a desire to help people in moments when care is needed most. Her experiences reinforced that calling, including service in a low-income clinic in Quito, Ecuador and work with a public health team in Mexicali, Mexico.
As a member of the Phi Delta Epsilon pre-medical fraternity, whose mission is “deeds not words,” she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to service and action.
The communities she will ultimately serve will benefit not only from her medical training, but from her deep understanding of care, empathy, and responsibility.
Growing a Community of Scholars
Since that first scholarship, the program has continued to expand.
Today, multiple Rotary Scholars are progressing through the program, each representing a step forward in addressing healthcare gaps across Washington. These students come from different backgrounds and communities, but they share a common goal: to serve where the need is greatest.
One of those scholars, Xuan Nhi Nguyen, captured the deeper meaning of the scholarship in her reflections:
“The Rotary Scholarship extends beyond just financial support. It is also a reminder of trust and encouragement for me to continue doing the things that excite me.”
Her journey reflects the broader vision of the program. It is not only about educating physicians, it is about building leaders who will return that investment through service.
Reducing Barriers for Future Physicians
A key goal of the program is not only to support students, but to reduce the financial burden that often shapes where physicians choose to practice.
Washington State University College of Medicine is promoting a target of $10,000 in annual scholarship support per student. This level of support helps make it more financially feasible for graduates to serve in rural and underserved communities, where the need is greatest but compensation can be lower.
By reducing student debt pressure, the Rotary Scholarship helps align passion with possibility, allowing future physicians to choose service-driven careers without the same financial constraints.
Connecting Training with Underserved Communities
A defining strength of the program is its direct connection to real-world impact.
Through clinical placements and training opportunities, students are connected to communities across Washington that face the greatest challenges in accessing healthcare. The goal is not just education, but preparation, ensuring that future physicians understand the environments, needs, and realities of the communities they will serve.
This approach creates a powerful cycle: support a student, train with purpose, serve where needed, and strengthen communities.
Program Snapshot: Impact in Action
The Rotary Medical Scholarship continues to grow both in scale and impact, supported by a strong foundation of transparency and community engagement.
Purpose and Focus
The program aligns with the Disease Prevention and Treatment area of focus and supports students selected not only for academic excellence, but for their commitment to serving underserved communities across Washington State.
Current Rotary Scholars
The program is currently supporting multiple students across different cohorts, including:
Xuan Nhi Nguyen, 2026 Cohort, Clark County
Petra Dubekova, 2027 Cohort, Skagit County
Katherine McCune, 2028 Cohort, Spokane County
Raeanne Baker, 2029 Cohort, Spokane County
Each of these scholars represents a future physician preparing to serve communities where access to care is limited.
Scholarship Endowment Status
The scholarship has grown into a sustainable funding model, with an endowment exceeding $116,000 as of mid-2025. Approximately 4 percent of the fund is distributed annually to support student scholarships, ensuring long-term impact.
Training the Next Generation of Physicians
Through its partnership with the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, the program supports students trained specifically to serve rural and underserved populations.
Learn more about the medical program here:
https://medicine.wsu.edu/
Community Support and Donor Impact
The program is made possible through a broad network of donors, Rotary clubs, and community partners. A full list of contributors and supporters is maintained publicly, reflecting the collective effort behind the initiative.
Tracking Long-Term Impact
Beyond current scholars, the program also tracks past Rotary Scholars and their residency placements, demonstrating how this investment translates into real-world healthcare impact across communities.
For full details, including donors, scholar profiles, and program updates:
https://www.bellevuesunriserotary.org/rotary-scholarship/
A Model That Can Grow
The Rotary Medical Scholarship is more than a local project. It is a model that can be expanded.
By bringing together Rotary clubs, donors, and educational institutions, it demonstrates how targeted investment can create long-term, sustainable change. It also provides a clear path for other districts and clubs to follow.
This is Rotary in action, not just responding to a problem, but building a solution.
Taking Action Together
The success of this program has been made possible through the generosity of donors, the leadership of the Bellevue Sunrise Rotary Club, and the partnership with Washington State University.
The need for physicians in underserved communities remains urgent, and the opportunity to expand this program continues to grow.
Each scholarship represents more than financial support. It represents a future physician, a strengthened community, and a step toward closing the healthcare gap across Washington State.
