For years, the idea of a medical school in Spokane has been a fond dream, if not a fantasy, of many community leaders.

Suddenly, the idea seems not so fantastic.

While it’s no sure thing, the roughly $25 million plan enjoys the backing of a sparkling constellation of educational and political stars. But it will take energy and cooperation on all their parts to make the dream a reality during the legislative session that begins Jan. 8.

Gov. Chris Gregoire, for one, is enthusiastic about the idea of providing first-year instruction in Spokane for 20 first-year medical students, eight first-year dental students and 15 doctoral students in nursing. Just how enthusiastic we’ll know today when her 2007-09 budget proposal is released, but the dollars are expected to be there.

Besides the governor, the presidents of all three partner universities – the University of Washington, Washington State University and Eastern Washington University – are ardent backers as well.

As they should be. The plan allows the students to begin their instruction here, shift to Seattle for their second years, then return to the Spokane area for their residencies and internships. History shows that most of them will stick around the area where they get their training to set up their practices. That alone is a gain at a time when primary-care practitioners are in short supply here and dentists are about to begin retiring in significant numbers.

For the University of Washington Medical School, it would be the first expansion in 30 years. UW President Mark Emmert likes that, and WSU’s outgoing president, V. Lane Rawlins, considers the prestigious UW institution an illustrious partner. His successor, newly hired Elson Floyd, was recruited through a process set up to find someone in Rawlins’ mold, so the change of administration shouldn’t be a problem.

In Spokane, besides bolstering the supply of needed health-care providers, the local medical education program would dovetail with local visions of a university district with a health emphasis linked to the city’s medical centers. Other key elements already are in place – WSU’s pharmacy program and the Intercollegiate School of Nursing, with its new building about to rise on the Riverpoint campus.

Nevertheless, once state lawmakers convene, some opposition is likely over the cost, state Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, has predicted. As Senate majority leader, though, Brown can use her influence on behalf of the program. She also will have a timely ally in freshman Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, who will be stepping down as a WSU regent and has been a board member of Empire Health Services, which operates Deaconess Medical Center.

Conditions never have been more encouraging for this enterprise. Spokane area legislative delegates will need to put all their collective energy behind it to make sure the chance isn’t squandered.