Gonzaga University and the University of Washington announced this morning that they have signed an agreement through which Gonzaga will teach first- and second-year medical students on its campus starting next fall.

Gonzaga spokeswoman Mary Joan Hahn says as many as 100 medical-school students are expected to take classes on the private Jesuit school’s campus to start, including up to 60 first-year students and 40 second-year students.

Initially, she says, Gonzaga’s Schoenberg Center will house the medical-education classes and faculty offices.

A mix of Gonzaga and UW faculty will teach classes there.

UW has offered first- and second-year medical education in Spokane for 40-plus years through its WWAMI program, which stands for Washington Wyoming Alaska Montana Idaho. The Seattle-based university previously has partnered with Washington State University to educate future physicians here, but it dissolved that partnership after WSU announced plans to start its own medical school.

Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh said in a press release, “Finding solutions to our most pressing issues in health care requires breaking down the traditional barriers in higher education and working together for the benefit of our state and local community.”