Idaho Medical Association announces Dr. Barinaga as 2024 president

Mary Barinaga, M.D., was recognized as the Idaho Medical Association’s (IMA) president for 2024-2025 at the organization’s Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates in Coeur d’Alene on Oct. 13. In this role, Dr. Barinaga will advocate for Idaho physicians and patients, and work with policy makers and other state leaders toward improving the health and well-being of all Idahoans.

“I’m honored to represent Idaho’s physicians in terms of what we desire immediately for best patient care, and our vision of the future,” Dr. Barinaga said. “It’s vital that Idaho has a strong physician workforce to serve our patients and communities and that medical students and residents want to practice here and have the opportunities they need to be successful.”

Dr. Barinaga grew up in a sheep ranching family in Cambridge, Idaho, attended The College of Idaho, and graduated medical school from the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) as an Idaho WWAMI medical student. WWAMI stands for the five states that partner with UWSOM to deliver medical education and training to students in their home states: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

After completing residency at Full Circle Health in Boise, Dr. Barinaga practiced rural family medicine on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation in Plummer for 12 years. In 2010, she returned to Full Circle Health, where she sees patients and serves as clinical faculty today. She is Assistant Dean for Regional Affairs for Idaho WWAMI and is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington.

“Mary has deep roots in Idaho, and is a trailblazer when it comes to organized medicine,” said Susie Keller, IMA CEO. “I look forward to partnering with Mary in her new role as IMA president and bridging connections with our policy makers and physicians across the Gem State.”