Donor Highlight: Steve and Donna Busch

Steve and Donna Busch Donate to Idaho WWAMI, Making Way for a Better Future

Idaho may be the fastest growing state in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean they have the physicians needed to keep up.

As of 2022, Idaho ranks 49th out of 50 in physicians per capita, with 70.72% of the state considered to be medically underserved.

In 2023, the Busch family generously donated towards the Idaho Office of Underserved and Rural Medical Research, with the hope of making a difference in rural healthcare.

The Buschs have always had deep ties to Idaho WWAMI physicians. The best man at their wedding was a graduate from Idaho WWAMI back when it was just WAMI, before Wyoming joined the partnership in 1996. Their long-time primary care physician was also among the first graduating classes of Idaho WAMI.

Because of these ties, and their knowledge of Idaho’s need for physicians, donating to Idaho WWAMI felt like a natural fit.

“Donna and I were both raised in small towns,” said Steve Busch. “We are aware of the need for more primary care physicians across the nation in general, and in rural Idaho in particular. We felt a donation to the Idaho WWAMI program would in some small way, make for a better future.”

Idaho WWAMI is committed to improving the future of Idaho healthcare, and they’re able to do so with donors like Steve and Donna Busch.

“Quality healthcare is not a given, and takes effort on the part of many to make it happen,” Busch said.

To donate to Idaho WWAMI today and join them on their mission to improve healthcare in the state of Idaho, click here.

Article by Emma Zado, Idaho WWAMI Medical Education Program.

Photography by Melissa Hartley, University Visual Production.

Published December 2023.