The Primary Care Foundation, ICOM’s nonprofit foundation, celebrated a major milestone this spring, raising nearly $85,000 during its inaugural fundraising gala in support of efforts to strengthen Idaho’s primary care workforce.
The event brought together healthcare leaders, educators, community partners, physicians, and supporters from across the state for an evening focused on addressing Idaho’s growing physician shortage and investing in the next generation of primary care providers.
Throughout the evening, attendees heard powerful stories highlighting the urgent need for more physicians in Idaho, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Idaho currently ranks among the lowest states in the nation for access to primary care providers, making workforce development a critical priority for the state’s healthcare future.
“This evening demonstrated what’s possible when organizations and individuals come together around a shared mission,” said Kylie Turner, Executive Director of the Primary Care Foundation. “Every dollar raised helps support future physicians who are committed to caring for Idaho communities.”
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of three Primary Care Rural Health Scholarships, each funded through the generosity of the Foundation’s Healers Circle Sponsors: Saint Alphonsus, Idaho State University, and St. Luke’s. Through their support, the organizations provided three $10,000 scholarships to student physicians at ICOM committed to pursuing primary care careers and serving rural Idaho communities.
The scholarships were awarded to:
Aspynn Owsley, recipient of the Saint Alphonsus Primary Care Rural Health Scholarship
Freddy Pascacio, recipient of the Idaho State University Primary Care Rural Health Scholarship
Grover Chatterton, recipient of the St. Luke’s Primary Care Rural Health Scholarship
The Foundation recognized Saint Alphonsus, Idaho State University, and St. Luke’s for their continued commitment to strengthening Idaho’s healthcare workforce and helping remove financial barriers for future physicians.
Guests also heard from ICOM Student Physician Elizabeth Mosqueda-Kasai, a past scholarship recipient whose personal story underscored the transformative impact of investing in medical education. Raised in Caldwell, Idaho in a first-generation migrant farmworker family, Mosqueda-Kasai shared how scholarship support has helped her pursue her goal of returning to rural Idaho to practice primary care and serve underserved communities.
The gala also highlighted the Foundation’s broader impact across Idaho. To date, the Primary Care Foundation has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to ICOM students and continues to support workforce development initiatives such as Idaho’s Rural Physician Incentive Program (RPIP), which helps strengthen the pipeline of physicians entering practice throughout the state.
Funds raised during the inaugural gala will allow the Foundation to expand these efforts and continue investing in future physicians who are committed to serving Idaho communities.
The Primary Care Foundation extends its gratitude to all sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees whose generosity made the evening a success. Their support is helping ensure that more Idahoans have access to the primary care services they need for generations to come.
