by amande | Dec 9, 2024 | Announcements, Awards, News
Mark Harrast, MD
Dr. Mark A. Harrast has been voted by his peers as the winner of the 2024 Bruce C. Gilliland Award. Dr. Gilliland was a professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and a professor of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Washington SOM.
The Gilliland award is presented annually to the candidate who is actively engaged in clinical and didactic training or in the implementation of a graduate medical education curriculum. The winner must have shown evidence of excellence over time and must have served for a t least 3 years within the UW SOM as a teacher of residents/fellows.
Dr. Harrast is the founding director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship program (2006). He served as the director of the fellowship program until this year – 18 years. He stepped away from his role as a contingency plan for stability of the Sports Medicine Fellowship, allowing Dr. Liem to have a comfortable transition into his new role.
According to the 5 colleagues in his department who nominated him and wrote supportive letters, Dr. Harrast is well regarded as a strong leader – he is supportive, knowledgeable, organized, responsible, communicates well, has a strong guiding vision and is highly dedicated to the field. He is extremely principled, ethical, and dedicated to advancing the field of Sports Medicine and providing highest quality evidence-based care and education. Because of his leadership experience particularly related to medical education and training, he was appointed as the first Vice Chair of Education in 2023 by Dr. Janna Friedly, Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. In this role, Dr. Harrast has been critical in faculty development, innovation, improvement, quality and patient safety.
Dr. Harrast embodies what it means to be a Clinician Educator. His clinical skills and ability to relate to patients are superb. His teaching skills are well appreciated by trainees (as evidenced by his prior receipt of the Outstanding Teacher award), and he works tirelessly to disseminate medical knowledge and skills to the broader medical community. He also makes it a point to help residents and fellows increase their own competency in academic medicine, by incorporating trainees into book chapters, review articles, and case presentations at national meetings, and happily mentors them along every step of their journey.
Stanley Herring, a PM&R colleague, who knew Dr. Gilliland said that he believes that Dr. Harrast has the same characteristics: compassion and selfless dedication to mentoring and teaching.
It always gives me great pleasure to celebrate members of our community. Thank you, Dr. Harrast.
Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education
Designated Institutional Official
by amande | Dec 6, 2024 | Announcements, News
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Byron Joyner, MD, MPA |
 Jennifer Best, MD |
 Cindy Hamra, JD, MA |
We find ourselves again in the darkest time of the year. The air is crisp and smells of wood fire, but still – it is dark. Where do we find our light?
As 2024 draws to a close, we wish to pause to recognize our community’s bravery, growth, and brightness. Graduate medical education is, at its core, an exercise in humanity. It’s about navigating the high-stakes intensity of clinical training while embracing the vulnerability of learning, teaching, and healing.
There is light in the vulnerability of an intern who, during their first overnight shift, turns to their senior resident and said, “I think I’m starting to figure out how to breathe in the chaos.” There is light when an attending physician quietly brings coffee to their team during a challenging rotation. And there is light in the moments where faculty translate science into narratives that residents carry with them into the next patient encounter.
We find light in acts of kindness or support —a program coordinator who stayed late to help a resident navigate visa or leave paperwork, a visit with a wellness counselor, countless emails exchanged to troubleshoot schedules, coverage for ill colleagues and the simple “thank you” from a patient whose care was made possible by the collaborative effort of a multidisciplinary team.
Where do we find our light? In each other.
To our residents and fellows, your commitment to learning and patient care is unparalleled. You not only deliver exceptional care but also inspire everyone around you.
To our faculty, your dedication to teaching and mentorship is a cornerstone of what makes this community thrive. Your efforts remind us that growth is a team sport.
To the program coordinators, administrators, and support staff—you are the glue that holds it all together. Your behind-the-scenes work is the scaffolding upon which this entire educational structure exists.
At the end of this calendar year, accept our heartfelt “thank you” for your commitment, compassion, and strength. You are the light of this community, and it is a privilege to be on this journey with you now, and in the newness of the year to come.
- Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Vice Dean for GME and DIO
- Jennifer Best, MD
Associate Dean, Accreditation and Education
- Cindy Hamra, JD
Associate Dean, Administration and Finance
by amande | Nov 22, 2024 | Announcements, Events, GME News & Notes, News
Dear GME Community,
Several exciting celebrations in the GME community this month: Dr. Jeff Friedrich was selected by the ACGME as a Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, Angelique Cole has joined the GME Office as our new Compliance and Accreditation Specialist and two members of our community, Drs. Joey Nelson and Victor Lopez-Carmen are featured in a UW Medicine Huddle article celebrating contributions of our staff, faculty, trainees and students from American Indian and Alaska Native communities for Native American Heritage Month.
In November News and Notes we share an updated CVC Policy, training extension form, EHR reminders and resources and several other important items.
Thanks,
Cindy
Policies and Processes
- The GMEC approved revisions to the following policy at the November meeting. All are posted on the Policies and Procedures page of the GME website.
- CVC Placement Training Policy: Applies to programs with residents/fellows who may place central lines. Requirements include completed eLearning, simulation training at WISH, inclusion of CVC placement in program supervision policies.
- Training Extension Form on the Appointments & Credentialing page has been updated to the Current Appointment Change Form. The new form will be used to request individual appointment updates for chief designation, overnight call, training extension, and training reduction.
- Meeting and away conferences that take place during VA assignments require pre-approval from the corresponding site director and designated education officer. Please submit these requests to the VA no later than 30 days before leave occurs.
- Complimentary Access to Cortex: The AAMC and Thalamus have announced that all ERAS participating programs will have complimentary access to Cortex for the 2026 ERAS season (see November 7 press release). The GME Office will hold an information session for programs in the coming months. Details to come.
- New Non-ACGME Programs: Is your department planning to launch a new non-ACGME fellowship program? Visit the Non-ACGME Program Resources page for resources including the application for new non-ACGME programs.
- 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.
- UW Medicine Epic News and Reminders
- Epic Upgrade/2FA Changes began on October 20: this upgrade includes 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.
- 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.
- The GMEC has approved appointment of the following new program directors; ACGME appointments require Review Committee confirmation:
- Andrew Ko, Functional Neurosurgery
- Hubert Vesselle, PET/CT
- The ACGME has a weekly e-Communication. If you wish to receive it, email ACGMECommunications@acgme.org.
Events of Interest
- GME Lunch & Learns
- November 21: Disability Accommodations; recording and slides now available
- December 19: cancelled
- January 16: ACGME Surveys
- 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, 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)
- Other GME Events can be found on our calendar.
Projects and Resources
Please review the GME Annual Program Timeline for important dates for the months of November and December.- November 20th was Transgender Day of Remembrance and the week of November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week. UW HR has collected transgender resources and curated guides, policies, and resources for managers and colleagues.
- UW Medicine has announced a second year of funding for Well-Being Grants aimed at improving the workplace and learning environment for our community. All faculty, staff, and trainees from across UW Medicine (including administrative, clinical, education and research areas) are encouraged to apply for the grants. Applications are open Nov. 29-Dec. 10. For more information, please visit the UW Medicine OFA website.
- The holiday season is often a time of giving by grateful patients, vendors, and other outside organizations. State employees within UW Medicine are governed by the Washington State Ethics in Public Service Act with regard to the gifts they may accept and how they may redirect gifts they cannot accept. Common questions about gifts from patients and other external sources (including food and beverages) and other related topics are answered in the Gifts from External Sources FAQs on the UW Medicine Compliance website. Additional information is available on the Internal Audit website.
- 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.
- 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
- Catherine Albright, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Associate Program Director, is featured in “Exercising While Pregnant is Safe – Here’s What to Know” from Right as Rain.
- A new NPR series, “Throw It Back,” explores how the objects we love as kids shape our worldview as adults. The series begins with the story of Mahlet Assefa, fellow, Nephrology, and her cotton dress. Listen to her story on NPR.
- Joshua Bloomstein, resident, Internal Medicine, is co-author of “Microbial dynamics and pulmonary immune responses in COVID-19 secondary bacterial pneumonia” in Nature Communications.
- Richard Bransford, Spine Fellowship Program Director, is featured in “New robotic-assisted device used in spinal surgery” and “Doctor performs novel robotic surgery” from UW Medicine Newsroom. KXLY Spokane and KIRO 7 published related stories.
- The Population Health Initiative has awarded 14 Tier 1 pilot grants to interdisciplinary teams of University of Washington researchers representing 11 schools and colleges across two UW campuses plus several community-based partners. One of the funded projects is Collaborative development of a community advisory board focused on serious cardiac illness in the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho (WWAMI) region (Jason Deen, Salpy Pamboukian, Jill Steiner).
- Jeff Friedrich, Vice Chair for the Department of Surgery, has been selected by the ACGME as a winner of the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award for 2025.
- Sarah Holton, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine fellow, won the 3rd place basic science prize at the National Jewish Health Respiratory Disease Young Investigators’ Forum. She presented: “Identification of pro-fibrotic mononuclear phagocyte subpopulations in cryobiopsies from patients with early Interstitial Lung Disease using spatial transcriptomics.”
- Mark Harrast, Sports Medicine (PM&R) Associate Program Director, is featured in “The Female Athlete Triad: A Syndrome Affecting Women Runners” from Right as Rain. He is also featured in “Run, Walk, Marathon: 5 Tips to Get You to Race Day” from The Huddle.
- Nari Hsiu has been named the new associate program director for the UW Boise Addiction Medicine Fellowship, effective November 1, 2024. She is the program’s first associate program director.
- Patricia (Trish) Kritek, professor, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, will be interim chair of the Department of Medicine, effective Jan. 1, 2025. She is currently vice dean for faculty affairs in the School of Medicine.
- Hannah Linden, Hematology and Oncology Associate Program Director, will continue investigating whether a PET/CT progesterone tracer known as FFNP (short for 21 [18F] fluorofuranylnorprogesterone) can better predict response to endocrine therapy coupled with the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib, or Verzenio under a Breast Cancer Research Foundation grant. Read the full story from Hutch News.
- James McCabe, Structural Heart Program Director, is senior author of “Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Using Annular Reduction by Cinching With TEER in the Commissure (ARCTIC)” in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions. Department of Medicine co-authors are David Elison and Christine Chung (Interventional Cardiology Program Director).
- Yue-Harn Ng, Transplant Nephrology Program Director, is co-author of “Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation is Associated with Worse Outcomes in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients” in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
- Ashok Reddy, associate professor, is lead author and Karin Nelson, Health Services Research and Development Fellowship Director, is senior author of “Behaviorally Informed Text Message Nudges to Schedule COVID-19 Vaccinations: A Randomized Controlled Trial” in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Nelson is also co-author of “Impact of Home Telehealth Expansion on High-Cost Utilization Among Veterans Health Administration Patients with Diabetes” in JGIM.
- Sarah Prager, Complex Family Planning Program Director, is featured in “Bob Ferguson continues fight against abortion pill restrictions” from Cascade PBS.
- Patrick Samson, Urology fellow, is featured in “Sound solutions” from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
- Amanda Weidner, Molly Ormsby, David V. Evans, and Davis G. Patterson from the WWAMI-Region Family Medicine Residency Network are authors of “Recruitment of Residents to Rural Programs: Early Outcomes From Cohort 1 of the Rural Residency Planning and Development Grants Program” from the Journal of Graduate Medical Education.
- UW Medicine Recognized for WebMD Elite Choice Award
- 58 US hospitals honored for ‘meritorious’ surgical care
by amande | Nov 19, 2024 | Wellness, Wellness Corner
Dear Wellness Community,
In this evening’s moist darkness, I wrapped myself in a blanket woven with the words of Maya Angelou’s poem Continue, and it felt right to share it with all of you.
The vibrancy and impermanence of autumn is giving way to a season of stillness, hibernation and darkness and we Continue.
We’ve endured a tumultuous political process, we reckon with the foundation of our national origins, we honor National Native American Heritage month, and some celebrate a variety of holidays that close the calendar year (Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Bodhi Day). As we Continue, it is essential to our health and very being that we name and express our feelings. May you find safe, connected spaces to experience your feelings fully.
Together, we can “astonish a mean world with kindness.” There is light in leaning on one another, in reflection and in knowing that others have walked this path before us.
I encourage you to reflect: how will you Continue through the darkness?
Allow “gratitude to be the pillow” on which you rest. Continue with small acts of kindness, shared laughter, moments in nature, mindful breathing and the joy of movement. In these moments, you will invite and discover the light.
In gratitude for each of you,
Announcements and Resources
Your mental health and well-being are always a priority, especially during these anxious and stressful times. Know that you have access to these resources to support you and build your community:
- As we approach the holiday season and the start of winter, many of us face challenges like family gatherings, travel, financial pressures, and emotional stress. If you are feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, this online seminar is for you. Breaking the Burnout Cycle (UW NetID required).
- 24/7 counseling is available through the Washington Employee Assistance Program. Call (877) 313-4455 or visit.
- Throughout the year, the GME Office hosts outreach events for residents and fellows to come meet our GME team and learn about the services our office provides. Our next outreach event is December 5th, from 11-1:00pm at Harborview Medical Center. Our theme is “Spiritual Wellness”. Please stop by to say hello, meet our Wellness team, and grab a packed lunch. Email will be sent with more details.
Festivals and Markets
- After four holiday seasons away, Enchant Christmas is returning to T-Mobile Park! Visit this festival of wonder from November 22 to December 29 to experience breathtaking light sculptures, an ice-skating trail, the world’s largest Christmas maze, and countless other festive attractions.
- Pathway of lights. Enjoy our annual seasonal event at Green Lake. Walk the 2.5-mile inner path around the lake lined with over 1500 luminary bags and enjoy music at 3 stages along the path. Dress for the weather. Please bring a can food donation to support our local food banks. December 14th.
- Astra Lumina: A beautiful and magical experience under the night sky. A celestial pathway of lustrous light and cosmic vision. At the Seattle Chinese Garden now through the end of December.
- Renegade Craft fair: returns to Hangar 30 November 23rd and 24th—the weekend before Black Friday. You will see more than 180 curated indie vendors, which include a selection of outdoor food trucks. Handmade goods like delicate jewelry, bold ceramics, scented candles, bath and body products, paper goods, and other charming trinkets.
- Phinney Craft Fair: Join us for the PhinneyWood Winter Festival, a much-anticipated event that brings together 140 artisans in a vibrant celebration of Held at the Phinney Center in Seattle. December 7th-8th from 10am- 5pm.
- Seattle Christmas market: The Seattle Christmas Market returns to the Seattle Center from November 21 to December 24. Based on European Christmas markets, visitors can peruse 80+ wooden huts with thoughtfully curated European and locally made crafts. You can find one-of-a-kind charcuterie boards, hand-stitched leather goods, custom-designed hats, aromatic decadent chocolates, freshly roasted nuts, and toffee popcorn. See the 50-foot walk-through Christmas tree with countless twinkling lights, a double-decker Christmas Carousel and the Fairy Tale Forest featuring German fairy tale inspired displays and excerpts from the classic stories.
Native American Heritage Month
We welcome Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples in the United States.
- Listen to Daybreak Star Radio whose mission is to provide musical, educational, cultural, and language arts programming that reconnect Indigenous, Native American, and First Nations people to their heritage by strengthening their sense of belonging and significance as a people. Daybreak Radio is part of the Native American Cultural Center for Indians of all Tribes in Discovery Park.
- Visit the Burke Museum to learn about Northwest Native art and cultures and learn more about how the museum cultivates an ethical relationship with local tribal communities.
- The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center will be hosting our annual Native Art Market on Friday November 29th, Saturday November 30th and Sunday December 1st.
- Listen to “Living Nations, Living Words,” a collection of contemporary Native poetry curated by poet laureate Joy Harjo and the Library of Congress.
Jingle Bell Run in your favorite holiday costume as you spread good cheer. December 6th at Gas Works Park or Join UW Medicine Seattle Marathon the oldest marathon in the Pacific Northwest on Thanksgiving weekend.
Kate Bush wrote and directed the
beautiful and haunting Little Shrew (Snowflake), which also features a new radio edit of her track
Snowflake, which originally appeared on the 2011 album
50 Words for Snow. The film depicts a little Ukrainian shrew searching for
hope.
Mindfulness Minute
- Singing Bowls for relaxation and healing. A powerful and beautiful healing meditation to dissipate negative energy and anxiety.
- Breathing Meditation: UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center presents a brief daily meditation to calm the mind and spirit. A video urged to listen to twice a day to ease the overwhelming hold anxiety sometimes has on us.
- Kristen Neff presents a beautiful and thoughtful Ted Talk on the power of self-compassion.
- If you find that you are feeling a little more stressed than usual right now, you are not alone. Here are some ways to make the season less stressful and more fun.
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Gems from Treasure Valley
Thank you, Dr. Moe Hagman, Tanya Conger, Dr. Ryan Day for a warm Boise welcome!! Dipti and Howard (GME Wellness)’s visit to Boise was very enjoyable. We got a tour of the VA hospital (thanks Ryan), talked to IM and Psychiatry residents over a delicious lunch (thanks Tanya Conger and Moe) and delighted in Boise and its pretty sights.
We shared information about ways we can support our trainees in Boise with free, unlimited, and confidential wellness services. If you are a resident in Boise, you can schedule a wellness session with Howard or Dipti. If you have any feedback or questions for us, please send us an email. Howard can be reached at hischa5@uw.edu. Dipti can be reached at diptic@uw.edu.
From all of us on the Wellness Team, we wish you all a happy and joyous holiday Season!!!!!
Thanks,
Dipti
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).
by amande | Nov 15, 2024 | Announcements, News
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.
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Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Vice Dean for GME and DIO |
Jaspreet Bahia, MD
HQSC Co-Chair |
Emily Schildt, MD
HQSC Co-Chair |
