-
Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Jennifer Best, MD
Cindy Hamra JD, MA
It is startling that we are facing the end of another calendar year, yet here it is: December! What a year! Through our windows, the Seattle afternoons are dark, but in our hearts, there is light, especially as we reflect on what our community has accomplished in 2023.
Over the past year, the GME Office has developed and shared a new strategic plan that will guide our focus over the next six years. We are particularly proud of this ambitious plan which represents input from a broad range of community members. Movement on this plan will bring material improvements to all elements of our already-outstanding learning environment, which we have intentionally centered on advocacy for our trainees. In the New Year, we welcome involvement from community members who are particularly interested in one or more of our initiatives.
The GME team continues to evolve. This year, we said hello to team members Chris Gibson (Affiliations and Agreements Specialist), Ivy Gibson (eLearning Experience Developer), Bethany Griffitts (Fiscal Specialist), Allison Shults (RMS and Information Systems Manager) and Amy Wheat (Wellness Counselor). The team supported the rollout of six new GME programs (Advanced Cardiac Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery, FM Medical Student Education, Global and Rural Health, Pediatric Neuro-Oncology), including the first rural residency in internal medicine in the United States – the University of Washington Alaska Internal Medicine Rural Residency Program. And we are excited to welcome the inaugural cohort for the new LEAD-UP leadership program – a partnership between UW GME and the Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE).
Seattle had the privilege this year of playing host in November to the American Association of Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) Learn Serve Lead Annual Conference, in the brand new and stunning Seattle Convention Center – Summit location. It was wonderful to see so many UW SOM educators representing our School of Medicine and presenting there, and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the WWAMI program with our new Dean, Dr. Tim Dellit who welcomed more than 100 people at the UW Welcome Event.
The work of GME is dynamic, rich, and essential for the health of our community. This is true regardless of where and how that work is accomplished: at the bedside, in conference rooms, in administrative offices, operating rooms, clinics, or on-line. It simply would not be possible without each of you who has joined us on this collective journey. We look forward to more opportunities in 2024 to come together again in person and to celebrate the shared goals that unite our individual efforts as a beautiful whole.
Our best to each of you this season and Happy New Year!
Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Vice Dean for GME and DIOJennifer Best, MD
Associate Dean, Accreditation and EducationCindy Hamra, JD
Associate Dean, Operations and Administration