UW School of Medicine’s Pauline and Edgar Stern Program for Medical Education
The Pauline and Edgar Stern Program for Medical Education supports innovation, leadership, and mentorship in medical education at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Established through the generosity of the Pauline and Edgar Stern Foundation, the endowment advances excellence in teaching and faculty development across the WWAMI region—Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
Purpose
The endowment strengthens the School’s ability to recruit and retain exceptional medical educators who train the next generation of physicians. Its primary purpose is to support:
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The Stern Endowed Chair for Medical Education
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Six Stern Distinguished Faculty Educators, one in each WWAMI region
Together, these roles enhance mentorship, elevate teaching practices, and foster a culture of educational excellence across the School of Medicine.
The program has placed a Stern Educator at each primary teaching site across the WWAMI region, ensuring every community where UW trains physicians has direct access to faculty development and mentorship. Together they coordinate long-distance, telecommunication training opportunities, in-person, clinical training opportunities, conferences, and research.
Honoring a Legacy of Service
Edgar and Pauline “Polly” Stern were philanthropists deeply committed to service and community. Polly Stern believed strongly in “training the trainer” investing in faculty development and learning opportunities for the outstanding physicians who train medical students across the WWAMI region.
Through this endowment, the Stern family continues that vision by empowering educators who shape the future of medicine. Special thanks to Dr. Doug Paauw and Dr. James Patterson for their support of this transformative gift.
Stern Educators
Michael J. Ryan, MD
Andrea Christopher, MD, MPH
Chris Knight, MD, FACP
Western Washington
Laura Goodell, MD
Montana
Ronald Malm, DO
Wyoming
rmalm@uwyo.edu
Toni Biskup, MD, MPH
Alaska