Long-time Grand Coulee family physician earns prestigious award

Andrew C. Castrodale, M.D., is the recipient of the 2023 UW School of Medicine Alumni Service Award, the school announced last week.

The award recognizes a University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) alum whose dedicated and determined efforts have benefited UWSOM and/or the Alumni Association and/or their community.

Dr. Castrodale, a 1994 graduate of UWSOM, is being celebrated for his dedication and service to his community in his roles as clinician, mentor and educator in family medicine and obstetrical services. 

Throughout his 25-year career, all of which has been spent in Grand Coulee, Castrodale has exemplified a commitment to serving rural and underserved populations in eastern Washington. As the chief of staff for 17 years, he grew Coulee Medical Center into a full-service critical access hospital/clinic with a long-term care facility that serves underserved patients from five counties.

Castrodale advocates for the importance of obstetric care at both the state and national level, especially among the Native population in his community. He is an active UWSOM faculty member in the TRUST (Targeted Rural and Underserved Track) program, has taught classes on rural and family medicine at the medical school, and is currently working toward establishing a rural training track residency in Grand Coulee.

Castrodale grew up on the Colville Indian Reservation, went on to complete his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Washington in Seattle, followed by residency and fellowship training in Spokane. 

He received the Alumni Service Award on June 2 at the Columbia Tower Club in Seattle as part of the UW School of Medicine Reunion Weekend.