GME News & Notes: August

Aug 18, 2021 | Announcements, GME News & Notes, News

Dear GME Community,

This Friday, August 20, is GME Professionals Day!  Please thank the program managers, administrators and coordinators who work tirelessly on behalf of residents and fellows.

The August GME News and Notes contains some important information and deadlines including a reminder about UW’s vaccine requirement and information about Washington’s new long term care premiums.  Additionally, and as with past months, this issue of GME News & Notes has lots of great information about awards, publications, opportunities, new leadership, team members, etc.

Many thanks to those who reached out to me with information to share here.  Please continue to do so by sending to me at hamrac@uw.edu.

Cindy Hamra

Cindy Hamra
Assistant Dean of GME

Policies and Processes

  • Vaccine Attestation Requirement: Residents and fellows, along with SOM faculty who are clinically active, should complete the UW Medicine attestation at UW Medicine | COVID-19 Vaccine. The revised deadline is October 18, 2021.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance Premium: Effective January 1, 2022 the University of Washington will begin to deduct from employees’ paychecks a long-term care premium and remit the funds deducted to the Employment Security Department as required in the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act under RCW 50B.04.080. This premium collection from the employee supports the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program, designated as the WA Cares Fund. More information on the WA Cares Fund is on the UW HR website.

Program Information

  • New Program Directors: GMEC approved the following new program directors. All are awaiting ACGME Review Committee approval:
    • Rebecca Wiester, Child Abuse Fellowship
    • Julie Hodapp, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency program
  • ACGME Common Program Requirements FAQs Updated: The FAQs related to the ACGME Common Program Requirements have been updated, effective July 1, 2021. The FAQs can be found on the ACGME Common Program Requirements page under “Additional Resources”.

Events of Interest

  • AHME’s Council of Program Administrators and Coordinators (COPAC) has designated Friday, August 20 as GME Professionals Day!  More information is here.
  • GME Drop In: GME team members will be at UWMC-Montlake on Thursday, August 26 from 11am – 1pm in the AA wing. Drop by to pick up lunch and say hello.  We will share more information via email the morning of the 26th.
  • Life After Residency & Fellowship Seminar:  The annual seminar is coming up on Saturday, August 28 from 9am – noon.  Register now. Event topics include: avoiding job search pitfalls, how to negotiate and what to look for before you sign a contact.
  • NURF Diversity Recruitment Town Hall:  The Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows (NURF) is hosting a Diversity Recruitment Town Hall for prospective residents and fellows on Tuesday, August 31, from 6 – 8pm. More details here.
  • Our Family Planning & Fertility for Resident Physicians event is Thursday, September 30, from 6:00 – 7:45pm.  All residents, fellows and guests are encouraged to attend. Agenda and registration information here.
  • Registration for our Fall Program Director Development Series is now open. Please register here.  This season we are excited to be bringing you information about Standing up to Microaggressions, the Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), and the Peer Support Program.  Please see the agenda for additional details on these important topics.
  • Other GME Events can be found on our calendar.

Projects and Resources

  • We recognize that the recent crises in Afghanistan and Haiti may be very difficult for members of our GME community. Please know that you are not alone and that resources are available to you if you need support.  Talk to your friends, colleagues, review the resources for foreign national physicians and US Veterans on the Wellness page under General Wellness and Self Care, or reach out to one of our Wellness Service counselors for support.
  • The updated UW Medicine Patient Rights and Responsibilities Policy is available on the intranets for Harborview and for UW Medical Center. The Patient Rights and Responsibilities handbook is currently being revised to include this anti-discrimination language. If you experience any type of discrimination by a patient or visitor or another staff member, please reach out to your manager, supervisor or lead. You can also report an incident using the UW Medicine Bias Reporting Tool.
  • Recruitment Resources for Programs and Applicants: Check out the GME website for helpful recruitment resources for programs and applicants, including:
    • Prospective Residents & Fellows: Videos for prospective applicants, letter to applicants from Dr. Joyner, eligibility and recruitment policies, resources on appointments, salary and benefits including links to the RFPU-NW contract, RFPA, salary schedule, and benefits at a glance guide.
    • Recruitment Resources: Required notifications to applicants, eligibility requirements, application and interview tools, EDI resources, resources and best practices for virtual recruitment.
    • Recordings of Fall 2020 events:
  • The WWAMI Rural Residency Training Opportunities page has resources and information regarding rural training opportunities, including ACGME’s focus on Medically Underserved Areas and Populations.
  • The GME Office is accepting nominations for the 2021 Bruce C. Gilliland Award for Excellence in Teaching of Residents and Fellows. The award recognizes outstanding teaching in graduate medical education in any specialty and at any UW Medicine or affiliated training site. Send your nominations tp Tammy Ramirez by 5 p.m. on August 20, 2021.
  • The GME Office is hiring a temporary/project Accreditation Specialist (Req #193053).  See posting here.
  • The Program Administrator Advisory Council (PAAC) is looking for new members!  If you are interested in joining or would like to nominate a colleague, please email Gabrielle Pett.

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