Dr. Joyner’s Blog: Celebrating 16 Years of the HQSC and the Launch of the HQSC QI Ambassadors Program

by | Nov 15, 2024 | Announcements, News

Photo of Nick Meo and Erink Aas presenting on QI/Patient Safety Opportunities at HMC during the QI Ambassadors Program Kickoff Meeting

Nick Meo, MD and Erin Aas, MSN, ARNP, CPHQ presenting on QI/Patient Safety Opportunities at HMC during the QI Ambassadors Program Kickoff Meeting

This month, the Housestaff Quality & Safety Committee (HQSC) proudly celebrates 16 years of dedication to quality improvement! To mark this milestone, current HQSC co-chairs Drs. Emily Schildt and Jaspreet Bahia launched the HQSC QI Ambassadors Program. The program kickoff featured a dinner at the South Lake Union Board Room, symbolizing a new alliance between housestaff and UW Medicine’s QI leaders.

Dr. Anneliese Schleyer, UW Medicine’s Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Byron Joyner, Vice Dean & DIO for Graduate Medical Education, opened the event with a warm welcome, then quality improvement leaders from our five major hospitals took the stage to address 20 housestaff who were hand-selected for their interest in quality improvement. These residents and fellows, now our HQSC QI Ambassadors, were introduced to ongoing initiatives, working committees, and engaging activities in which they could participate. The evening’s theme resonated: “The best way to connect with your workplace is to have a voice in creating change.”

The recent Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) site visit is helping us to understand the six critical domains and where we can make improvements to our system of safe, quality care. With the new HQSC QI Ambassadors, we can do more. We can do better. We know that the best ideas come from those on the front line – our housestaff who are doing the work.

Our goal is that these presentations will create conversations, networks and actions that will give the new HQSC QI Ambassadors a chance to help create a better, healthier system of care – and help them really connect with UW Medicine and the care they are providing.

 

Headshot of Byron Joyner Headshot of Jaspreet Bahia Headshot of Emily Schildt
Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Vice Dean for GME and DIO		 Jaspreet Bahia, MD
HQSC Co-Chair		 Emily Schildt, MD
HQSC Co-Chair

Dr. Joyner’s Blog: Non-ACGME Programs in the UWSOM

by | Nov 8, 2024 | Announcements, News

Dr. Byron Joyner Headshot

Byron Joyner, MD, MPA

The University of Washington School of Medicine sponsors over 85 clinical fellowship programs that are not accredited by the ACGME.  This month, I have invited Gabrielle Pett, Senior Director, Business Affairs, to share information about these non-ACGME Programs and GME Office initiatives to support these non-ACGME programs and fellows.

 

 

Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Designated Institutional Official

Gabrielle Pett

Gabrielle Pett

The University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) is one of the largest sponsoring institutions of ACGME-accredited programs in the country, with 128 ACGME accredited residency and fellowship programs. But did you know the UWSOM also has over 80 non-ACGME clinical residency and fellowship programs?

In 2014 – in response to findings of variable support and oversight for these programs at a systems level – the UWSOM delegated responsibility to the UW Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) for ensuring the educational quality of UWSOM non-accredited training programs at the institution.  The GMEC charged the Non-ACGME Program Oversight Subcommittee (formerly known as the GMEC-Approved Non-ACGME Fellowship Program Subcommittee) to undertake this oversight with key goals of ensuring:

  • all non-ACGME programs have a solid educational learning environment to facilitate quality fellowship training
  • non-ACGME programs are provided with adequate personnel, clinical activities, and other resources necessary to support the program
  • non-ACGME fellowship programs enhance, but do not interfere, with existing ACGME accredited programs or other existing non-ACGME fellowships

The Non-ACGME Program Oversight Committee is charged with recommending approval of new non-ACGME programs, supporting institutional oversight of ACGME non-standard training programs, maintaining Educational Standards for Non-ACGME Programs, providing input on GME policies to include relevant requirements of non-ACGME programs and/or trainees, and conducting annual surveys of non-ACGME programs and program graduates to inform areas of need and support for non-ACGME programs.  Subcommittee members include program directors, ACGME and non-ACGME trainees, program administrators, and GME staff. Dr. Catherine Kling, program director for Abdominal Transplant Surgery, chairs the Subcommittee this year.

 

Landscape of Non-ACGME Programs in the UWSOM (AY25)

The number of non-ACGME programs changes each year as new programs are approved, some transition to ACGME accreditation, and others are phased out.  For the 2024-2025 academic year there are 88 Non-ACGME programs across 18 clinical departments.  Eighty-five percent (85%) of these programs are one-year in length, typically appointing only one fellow per year. The Subcommittee has approved 39 new non-ACGME programs since 2014 and 8 new programs since January of this year. These have included:

  • Neurological Surgery: Functional Neurosurgery
  • Neurology: Neonatal Neurocritical Care
  • Ophthalmology: Glaucoma and Neuro-Ophthalmology
  • Radiology: Cancer Imaging and Theranostics
  • Rehabilitation Medicine: Cancer Rehabilitation
  • Surgery: Breast Surgical Oncology

These programs represent growing subspecialties with national accreditation standards and evolving fields in medicine.

Within these programs fellows may either hold a position of Acting Instructor – spending a portion of their time as both learners and attendings – or in a position of Fellow Non-ACGME without an independent attending role.

Pie chart of Non-ACGME Fellows (108): 21% Fellow Non-ACGME (Non-Faculty); 87% Acting Instructor (Faculty Appointment, Medical Staff)

 

What are the Requirements for Non-ACGME Programs?

Unlike ACGME programs which follow specialty requirements developed under the ACGME’s Common Program Requirements, non-ACGME programs do not follow uniform standards. Some are accredited or recognized by their national specialty societies and councils while others do not follow formal guidelines. In February 2022, the ACGME announced new Non-Standard Training (NST) Recognition requirements for Sponsoring Institutions with non-ACGME programs that train foreign national physicians on J-1 visas sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), adding another set of requirements for some non-ACGME programs.

22 UW programs are currently accredited or recognized by one of 13 different national specialty societies or councils, and 9 programs in the past two years have been approved by the ACGME to train foreign nationals under J-1 visa sponsorship.

Ven Diagram of Requirements: UW Educational Standards for Non-ACGME Programs (88); No national standards (65); ACGME NST Programs (9); Specialty/Council Accreditation Recognition (22)

 

To manage this diverse structure, and help support these programs, the Non-ACGME Program Oversight Subcommittee introduced Educational Standards for Non-ACGME Programs in 2018.  These standards outline minimum requirements and expectations for all non-ACGME accredited clinical programs in the UWSOM. These are reviewed and updated each year by the Subcommittee based on various inputs. The current standards address ACGME NST recognition requirements; sponsoring institution oversight of programs; personnel (program directors, faculty, program administration); fellow appointments; curriculum; assessment and evaluation; and support for the learning environment. These standards also serve as a resource for departments in the development of new programs and as guide for the Subcommittee in facilitating review of new program applications.

 

What is the role of the GME Office in supporting these programs?

GME Office management of non-ACGME programs has grown in recent years, a reflection of continued compliance with external requirements, input from the Non-ACGME Program Oversight Subcommittee, and transitions in title management in the UWSOM.

  • ACGME NST Program Oversight
  • Applications for Initial Accreditation/Reaccreditation
  • Appointment and Credentialing (Fellow Non-ACGME title)
  • eLearning Registration
  • Graduation Certificates
  • J-1 Visas (ACGME Non-Standard Training (NST) Programs)
  • MedHub support
  • NRMP Match policy guidance and support
  • Orientation (Fellow Non-ACGME)
  • PLA management
  • Wellness Service counseling access

Where can I find more information about non-ACGME programs?

The Non-ACGME Program Resources page on the GME website includes resources for non-ACGME programs including:

  • ACGME Requirements for Sponsoring Institutions with Non-Standard Training Programs for J-1 Visa Sponsorship
  • Department Chair Letter of Support for New Non-ACGME Program Directors
  • Educational Standards for Non-ACGME Programs
  • Links to relevant GME policies
  • New Non-ACGME Program Application and Submission Instructions
  • Non-ACGME Program Complement Expansion Questions and Guidelines
  • Orientation Guidelines
  • Recruitment Resources
  • Resources for Non-ACGME Fellow Appointments
  • Visa guidelines and Non-ACGME Fellow Visa Matrix

We’re grateful to department faculty, staff, and leadership for their efforts in developing new and novel clinical programs and for collaborating with the Non-ACGME Program Oversight Subcommittee and the GME Office. We also want to thank program directors and administrators for their ongoing participation in our annual non-ACGME program survey, which plays a vital role in guiding our work to support these programs and their trainees.

 

Gabrielle Pett, MHA
Senior Director, Business Affairs, GME
Program Manager, Non-ACGME Program Oversight Subcommittee

GME News & Notes: October

by | Oct 18, 2024 | Announcements, Events, GME News & Notes, News

Dear GME Community,

October GME News & Notes contains information about policy updates, including Moonlighting and Outside Work, EPIC news and reminders, new best practices and resources for programs to reduce barriers to recruitment of IMGs, new AI Guidelines for Residency and Fellowship Applications, information about Open Enrollment, and several different educational events.

In October we recognize National Disability Awareness Month and remind programs and trainees that the GME Office works with UW Disability Services Office to support disability accommodations for residents and fellows.

We also hope you’ll check out our GME Strategic Plan update.

Thanks,

Cindy

Black background with angled rainbow stripes

Policies and Processes

  • Policy Updates and Reminders
    • Eligibility, Recruitment and Selection Policy for Non-ACGME Programs: Approved by GMEC in July 2022, this policy is for non-ACGME clinical fellowships and includes a requirement for each program to have its own program-specific policy, eligibility requirements that must be included in a program policy, and requirements for ACGME non-standard training (NST) programs.
    • Industry Interactions Policy: This policy was last revised by the Policy Committee and GMEC in December 2021, however minor changes were reviewed by GMEC in October including updates to several external resource URLs and the addition of another question in the FAQs.
    • Moonlighting and Outside Work Policy: the GMEC approved updates to the Moonlighting and Outside Work Policy at the October meeting. Outside Work is defined as any voluntary, clinical or non-clinical work that is outside of a trainee’s regularly scheduled program duties. This includes Internal and External Moonlighting, Extra Pay for Extra Duty and Additional Non-Clinical Work. Outside work requires pre- approval by the resident’s Program Director and GME Office. Changes to the policy include reorganization for clarity and updates.
  • UW Medicine Epic News and Reminders
    • Epic Upgrade/2FA Changes beginning on October 20: this upgrade will include a new 2FA requirement for Epic Mobile Apps (Haiku, Canto, Rover). Providers are encouraged to setup the Authentication App before 10/20 to avoid delays accessing the mobile Apps.  Details have been sent out in the Epic and UWMC Weekly newsletters.  Review the Enrollment Instructions for more information.
    • Dragon Medical One (DMO) Dictation: Residents and fellows are enrolled in Dragon at onboarding, but there are still a few steps that need to be completed for setup.  Instructions are on the Dragon Medical One page in the UW Medicine EHR Hub and linked from the Getting Ready for UW Medicine Epic EHR page on the GME website.
    • Epic Personalization (Customization): Looking to be more efficient in Epic? Complete the Epic Physician Personalization eLearning in the Learning Hub (login and search for Epic Physician Personalization) and review the Epic Customization Quick Start Guide in the UW Medicine EHR Hub which will walk you through the steps to create customized Order Sets, Preference Lists, and SmartPhrases, and directions on how to set up your Dashboard.
  • Best Practices for Recruiting and Supporting International Medical Graduates: The GMEC IMG Task Force has developed best practices and resources for programs to reduce barriers to recruitment of IMGs which is now available on the Recruitment Resources page of the GME website under Application and Recruitment: UW > Recruiting and Supporting International Medical Graduates: Best Practices.
  • Remember that trainees who are members of the RFPU-NW are entitled to one (1) paid personal holiday per calendar year. If unused in the calendar year, the personal holiday is forfeit, and it is not paid at separation. It is the employee’s responsibility to schedule the personal holiday before December 31st. Please see complete information in Article 12 of the RFPU-NW Contract.
  • Recently UWMC and HMC hospital CEOs sent an email regarding new meal and rest break requirements. We have received several questions regarding whether these requirements apply to residents and fellows. These new provisions apply to hospital employees; this does not include trainees, who are School of Medicine employees. Please remember, however, that trainees must be given an opportunity to transition patient care in the instance of fatigue (per ACGME requirements), have time to attend medical appointments (per RFPU CBA), and be given time to express milk (per Washington state law).
  • In alignment with UW Medicine’s approach to generative AI, we are excited to announce the release of the AI Guidelines for Residency and Fellowship Applications. These guidelines provide clear and practical advice on how to responsibly incorporate AI tools throughout the application and recruitment process, including application review and interviews. We encourage you to review the guidelines and share your thoughts via the feedback form available on the webpage.
  • UW Medicine will implement universal masking in patient care areas each year during the respiratory virus season. This precautionary measure aims to minimize the risk of exposure to and transmission of respiratory viruses. For more information about the respiratory virus season and new COVID-19 vaccine, see Fall 2024: A new vaccine for COVID-19.

Program Information

  • Welcome new Program Administrators:
    • Stephanie Otani-Sunamoto: Glaucoma, Medical Retina and Vitreoretinal Surgery, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Uveitis
    • Jennifer Todd: Medical Physics
  • The ACGME has a weekly e-Communication.  If you wish to receive it, email ACGMECommunications@acgme.org. 

Events of Interest

  • GME Lunch & Learns
    • October 17: Moonlighting and Outside Work Updates; recording and slides now available
    • November 21: Disability Accommodations
    • December 19: cancelled
  • The final session of our Cultivating Skills in Feedback and Critical Conversations Education Series will be Monday November 4th from 1:30 to 3:00pm. Please join Cindy Hamra, Associate Dean, GME, for a session on Supporting BIPOC and URiM Trainees. This session is open to all program leadership including program directors, associate program directors, program administrators, vice chairs for education, etc. For planning purposes, please RSVP by noon on Friday 11/1. We will distribute the Zoom link as we get closer to the session date. Please reach out to Amanda Easton and Jenn Johal if you have questions.
  • Registration for Educator Development for GME Excellence (EDGE) series is now open at: EDGE Registration | UW Graduate Medical Education. We ask that PDs attend 3 of 4 events each year and APDs and Core Faculty attend 2 of 4 events each year
    • Tuesday, October 22, 2024; 9:00 am – 10:30 am: “Entrustable Professional Activities: Dr. Brenessa Lindeman, University of Alabama-Birmingham
    • Tuesday, March 25, 2025; TBD between 9:00 am and 12:00pm: “Supporting Trainee Disability Accommodations”, Hayley Fisher, UW GME
    • Thursday, April 24, 2025; TBD between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm: “How Our Program Does It” Session: Individualized Learning Plans OR Trainee Professional Development Curricula (concurrent)
  • Fellows, Residents and Students – we’re thrilled to invite you to Career Pathways in Medicine: Insights from Diverse Journeys, a dynamic panel discussion featuring distinguished alumni who have carved out their own unique careers in medicine on Monday, November 18 from 6:00-7:00 PM PST on Zoom. Our panelists will share the real stories behind their career choices, from unexpected pivots to invaluable lessons learned along the way. To register, please visit: https://sites.uw.edu/uwgme/event-registration/ For questions, please contact Jenn Johal (jenjohal@uw.edu).
  • The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is a non-profit organization based in Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to fighting for justice for the most marginalized individuals in the criminal justice system in the United States. EJI provides legal assistance to people who have been unfairly treated by the justice system, including those on death row and those facing unjust incarceration. In the Department of Medicine’s next DEI Lecture Series, “A Conversation with the Equal Justice Initiative’s Health Clinic Team,” members of the EJI’s Health Clinic Team will share their experiences, challenges, and successes in providing healthcare services to underserved communities. 16, 2pm. Please register for this event.
  • Other GME Events can be found on our calendar.

Projects and Resources

  • First Page of GME Annual Program TimelinePlease review the GME Annual Program Timeline for important dates for the months of October and November.
  • Institutional Post Recruitment Survey: Programs received a summary of the Institutional Post Recruitment Survey for the 2023 and 2024 recruitment seasons on October 4. We continue to ask programs to include the survey link in post-recruitment survey communications to interviewed applicants. Please contact Gabrielle Pett with questions.
  • We have recently heard from several residents and fellows raising concerns about uncertainty and possible changes to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The GME Financial Management & Loans includes information on Loan Deferment and Forbearance, the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program, the GME Emergency Housestaff Loan, AAMC and AMA financial resources, and several other financial management resources.
  • UW Medicine launched the Bias Reporting Tool in early 2021 to provide our community with a new way to report incidents of bias. Since then, over 1,500 incidents have been reported across UW Medicine, including in clinical areas, labs, common areas and learning spaces. The Third Annual BRT Community Report includes information regarding 460 incidents over the past year. The purpose of the report is to raise awareness, identify areas needing improvement and share our progress towards becoming a more inclusive community.
  • Clinical trainees and faculty should be mindful of scam calls impersonating officers from the King County Sheriff’s Department targeting physicians. While this has unfortunately become a commonplace scam, it can be very scary and convincing. We have heard that members of our community have been targeted and are being falsely told they have a claim regarding failure to appear in court to testify regarding a patient’s health. We encourage individuals to remove their personal information from “people finders” using tools such as: https://www.truepeoplesearch.com/removal
  • Before open enrollment begins, get your questions answered at these benefits fairs Oct. 21-24. The Whole U brings the annual UW Benefits Fairs to four on-site locations. The “5 Things You Can Do to Prepare for Open Enrollment” from The Huddle contains helpful tips.
  • UW GME launched the new UW GME WhatsApp group exclusively for residents and fellows. Since its launch, we’ve welcomed over 300+ trainees to the community, and we have Expanded our Opportunities to include interest groups like “GME Parents” and “Musical folks”, and “Quick meals on the go”. Additionally, some other WhatsApp UW groups, such as “UW IMG Residents & Fellows” and “UW Surgery,” have linked up with the UW GME community, further enhancing connectivity and collaboration. We encourage trainees to join!
  • Add a Name Pronunciation Tag to Your Badge: Medical student Sudiptho Paul started the initiative and shares his tips for pronouncing names correctly.
  • Thanks to Michael Hardin in Facilities for this guide to the all gender restrooms on the Harborview campus [UW Medicine password required]
  • Nominations are open for the UW School of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Awards. Nominations are due by Dec. 31, 2024, for consideration of recognition in 2025. Learn more about the awards and past recipients here, where you will also find the nomination form.

People

Wellness Corner – October 15, 2024

by | Oct 15, 2024 | Wellness, Wellness Corner

Dear Wellness Community,

Black dog in front of display of pumpkins

Fall is here! The landscape around us is beginning to take on a palette of colors: gold, orange, rust, red and brown. We are in a time of transition with days getting shorter, wetter and cooler.  The change outside can bring about changes in us too. We may experience changes in sleep, mood and energy levels. It is common to feel the beginning of “winter blues”. Seattle has one of the shortest hours of sunshine in the contiguous US which can contribute to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). October is National Depression Awareness Month: a time to check in with ourselves and support each other.

With an upcoming Presidential election and many ongoing conflicts around the world, we may feel increasingly stressed, tired, numb and just plain exhausted. It may help to take time to tune into us, what makes us feel well and cared for, and to seek support as appropriate. Our Wellness Team is available to you and can help connect you to resources in the community.

Feel free to reach out to one of our therapists. To schedule a wellness session, check out this link.

In this issue of our Wellness Corner, learn about opportunities to share your expertise within GME, tips on managing stress and taking small actions toward change, join in fall/harvest celebrations, cultural observances, trick or treat and farm events as well as partake in a film festival from around the world.

Dipti Chrastka

Dipti

This month’s Wellness Corner authored by:
Dipti Chrastka, LMFT
GME Wellness Director
diptic@uw.edu
GME Wellness Counseling

 

Submit a Wellness Service Testimonial
Contents

GME Events

  • Great to see many residents and fellows at our GME Wellness Outreach event at Seattle Children’s! Thanks, Amanda Easton and Shinetra Pryor (GME Staff) for joining our Wellness Team. Join us at our next Outreach Wellness event (Dec 5th at Harborview Medical Center from 11 am to 1 pm) More details to follow.
  • Become a Q.I. Ambassador. Nominate yourself or others to advance QI work in your department, build your resume, work on projects and so much more. Learn more at https://sites.uw.edu/uwhqsc/
  • Join the “Career Pathways in Medicine: Insights from Diverse Journeys” event and hear professionals share their personal journeys. Register here. All Residents and Fellows are welcome! Nov 18th from 6 to 7 pm on Zoom.

 

 

Photo of Shinetra Pryor, Dipti Chrastka, and Howard Schafer at SCH Outreach Event on 10/4/2024.

Fall fun and Entertainment

Group photo from 8/30/2024 Outreach Event featuring GME Office and Whole U Staff

Black Lives Matter

  • Lights of India celebrates Diwali the festival of lights. Free!
  • Get your popcorn as you watch the only Oscar qualifying South Asian Film festival in the world. Tasveer Film Festival and Market (from Oct 15-20th)
  • Check out the Black Robe Podcast: a provocative inter-generational discussion of current justice system events with the Black Community acting as judge of events and decision-making.
Wooden gavel on flag background
Close cropped photo of green apples

Let your creativity shine with colorful diyas

Join in celebrating Diwali: the festival of lights with a paint party.

Yellow stethoscope on white background

Boo at the Barn

Join in some scary Halloween fun and have a haunting good time!! Oct 26th from 9 am to 9 pm in Issaquah.

Grey striped kitten napping

Got apples?

Bite into a delicious apple from a real orchard.

Mindfulness Minute

Woman in pink sweater with hands crossed over her heart

Wellness Corner Quick Links

Iridescent beetle on a leaf

Gems from Treasure Valley

  • Get your scary on! Terror Tuesdays! Free popcorn, win trivia and experience a classic horror film screening. Starting at 8 pm
  • Zoo Boise has some thrills for you and your family. Join Boo at the Zoo and Spooky Safari (21 +)
  • Step into Boise history with a 90-minute walking tour. Saturdays from 10 am to 11.30 am.

Got Feedback for Us?

We’d love to hear it!  Share your thoughts about the Wellness Corner, suggestions for future events, discounts or articles to highlight, or anything else you’d like to share.  Please email your thoughts to Dipti Chrastka (diptic@uw.edu), Howard Schafer (hischa5@uw.edu), Amy Wheat (amywheat@uw.edu), and/or Maureen Horgan (mhorgan@uw.edu).

Dr. Joyner’s Blog: GME Strategic Plan Update

by | Oct 11, 2024 | Announcements, News

Dr. Byron Joyner Headshot

Byron Joyner, MD, MPA

This month, Dr. Jennifer Best and Cindy Hamra – true to their word, have produced an update on the 6-year GME Strategic plan (2024 – 2029). The first phase of our strategic plan was the development process which took many months and has required considerable thought with regard to the many and variable needs of our learning community. This update reminds you that we are in a dynamic phase of execution which involves implementation and monitoring. Our proactive approach has required us to predict the future – which, by definition, good strategic plans attempt to do, yet we are flexible, ready to make adjustments where necessary, given the recent CLER Report and the yet-to-be-approved Institutional Requirements. I am proud of the work we are doing to serve all of you!

 

Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Designated Institutional Official

Dr. Jennifer Best

Jennifer Best, MD
Cindy Hamra Headshot

Cindy Hamra, JD, MA

 

Within the DIO Blog and elsewhere, many of you will have read and heard details regarding our GME 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, summarized in this video. Since our last update in February 2024, GME leadership and staff have continued to work to implement this ambitious plan, in partnership with our community.

We are thrilled to share that one year into implementation, the GME team has accomplished 30 of 98 planned work products!

In this month’s Blog, we would like to highlight a sample of these projects that have already been completed.

Strategic Value Strategic Initiative Work Product COMPLETED
ADVOCACY Grow philanthropy to support GME program sponsorship and innovation GME Leadership participated in education/training with UW Medicine Advancement
  Partner with the system to enhance educational experience and curricular balance Implemented UW Medicine Well Being Grant lightbox project in resident workrooms.
COMMUNICATION Gather community for relationship building to enhance well-being in the workplace Community connection method identified with introduction of WhatsApp for resident and fellow-driven social connection
  Leverage collective expertise of senior GME educators and share educational/administrative best practices Reinvented Program Director Development Series (PDDS) as Educator Development for GME Excellence (EDGE) to enhance inclusivity
EXPERTISE Advance national visibility of UW GME process and program expertise Increase GME Office presentations at regional and national conferences (Five workshops accepted to 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference)
  Strengthen support for and oversight of non-ACGME programs Increased Wellness Service coverage to non-ACGME programs
INTEGRATION Proactively align educational structures with UW Medicine’s clinical strategy Embedded the ACGME’s new EDI domain within the Clinical Learning Environment Review organizational structure, with an EDI Advisory Group
  Proactively align educational structures with UW Medicine’s clinical strategy Consistent participation in UW Medicine workforce planning
PEOPLE Retain UW GME program directors, program administrators and GME office staff Expanded the exit interview process for Program Directors (In AY24, 100% offered / 71% accepted and completed)
  Support/equip trainees as future UW Medicine faculty, especially those identifying as URiM Partnered with Alumni Affairs on new career preparedness trainings (NEW EVENT! Career Pathways in Medicine: Insights from Diverse Journeys – November 18th, 2024, 6:00-7:00pm. Registration coming soon!)
QUALITY & VALUE Improve ability to synthesize large amounts of data for accreditation purposes. Annual Program Evaluation (APE) Summary moved to online format, with pilot of automation of reviews.

 

There is still a lot of work to do, as our plan extends for another five years. We welcome participation by our community. If you are interested in joining this work, feel free to reach out.

We will continue to share updates with you. In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you have questions or feedback.  We continue to believe that this work, based on your feedback, is the right work to strengthen and better support our GME community and the learning experience for our residents and fellows.

 

Jennifer Best, MD
Associate Dean, Education & Accreditation
Graduate Medical Education| UW Medicine

 

Cindy A. Hamra, JD, MA
Associate Dean, Operations & Administration
Graduate Medical Education| UW Medicine