Resident and Fellow Funding Process

As we address increasingly complex financial pressures and operational demands, UW Medicine aims to ensure that changes across the enterprise align with current clinical needs along with our financial and strategic priorities. As such, we are introducing a refined GME Resident and Fellow Funding Request Process to promote coordinated, equitable, and transparent decision-making.  

We recognize that changes to familiar processes can be challenging, and we appreciate your partnership as we transition to an updated GME Resident and Fellow Funding Request Process. These changes were made to ensure that review of GME FTE requests is consistent with how other clinical FTE requests are evaluated across UW Medicine—aligning with our evolving clinical needs, financial realities, and strategic priorities. 

What’s changing: 

• Two-stage application process: Begins with a Letter of Intent, followed by an Additional Information Request if the proposal moves forward. 
  • Requests will now be evaluated using expanded criteria, including clinical, workforce, and funding impacts. 

• Rolling submissions: Applications can be submitted year-round, with final decisions typically communicated within 6–8 months. 

• Updated governance structure: Final decisions are made by the Funding & Workforce Advisory Committee, based on recommendations from the Resident & Fellow Funding Sub-Committee and the Clinician Position Review Workgroup (see the decision-making FAQ for more detail) 

• • GMEPAC is temporarily paused during this pilot period. It has not been sunset – rather, it will remain inactive for this cycle and retained until the outcomes of the new process are fully evaluated.  

These changes are designed to provide several key benefits: 

• Reduces Initial Burden: Programs only complete full applications if the initial screening supports moving forward, saving time and effort. 

• Improves Systemwide Coordination: The new process is more integrated into UW Medicine’s enterprise-wide FTE request structure. It includes leadership input and ensures each request is evaluated in the broader context of clinical operations, workforce needs, and financial priorities. 

• Maintains Strong Support for ACGME Compliance: Designated GME representatives remain involved throughout the review process to ensure that educational priorities and accreditation standards are upheld. 

Final decisions on GME FTE requests are made by the Funding & Workforce Advisory Committee (FWAC). Decisions are informed by recommendations from the Resident & Fellow Funding Sub-Committee and the Clinician Position Review Workgroup, each of which brings a distinct lens to evaluating educational, clinical, and operational needs. 

Requests are assessed across four key domains: 

• Educational Considerations – ACGME compliance and training needs 

• Financial/Operational Considerations – Available resources and fiscal sustainability 

• Clinical Considerations – Key clinical metrics and patient needs 

• Strategic Considerations – Alignment with institutional growth and workforce priorities 

To ensure consistency and transparency, all requests are evaluated in a standardized manner that supports alignment with UW Medicine’s broader FTE review process. This structured approach helps uphold the high standards of UW’s educational programs while enabling coordinated, system-level decision-making. 

UW Medicine’s Funding and Workforce Advisory Committee (FWAC) was established to enhance decision-making, increase transparency, and uphold accountability across the enterprise. As we navigate increasing financial complexities and operational demands, the committee has played a key role in ensuring that UW Medicine’s strategic and operational priorities are maintained efficiently and transparently. Members of the Funding & Workforce Advisory Committee include: 

Co-Chairs: 

• Brad Simmons – President, UW Hospital & Clinicals 

• Alexander Chiu – Executive Vice Dean, UW SoM 

Funding and Workforce Advisory Committee Members: 

• Julie Reid – Vice Dean for Administration & Finance, UW SoM 

• Cindy Hecker – Chief Executive Officer, UW Medical Center 

• Sommer Kleweno-Walley – Chief Executive Officer, Harborview Medical Center 

• Jack Salerno – President, Children’s University Medical Group 

• Anneliese Schleyer – Chief Medical Officer, UW Medicine 

• Hunter Wessells – President, UW Physicians 

• Russ Van Gelder – Department Chair, UW SoM 

• Janna Friedly – Department Chair, UW SoM 

• Kenneth Karbowski – Department VCFA, UW SoM 

• Michelle Doyle – Department VCFA,UW SoM 

Final decisions on GME FTE requests are made by the Funding & Workforce Advisory Committee (FWAC). Decisions are informed by recommendations from the Resident & Fellow Funding Sub-Committee. The sub-committee’s scope is to assess GME FTE requests and share recommendations with the FWAC. Members of the Resident & Fellow Funding Sub-Committee include: 

Co-Chairs: 

• Cindy Hamra – Assoc. Dean, Admin. & Finance, GME, UW SoM​ 

• Ali Iqbal – Finance Site Lead, UWMC 

Resident & Fellow Funding Sub-Committee Membership: 

• Slavi Blagojevic – Director, Faculty Planning and Analysis​ 

• Kari Dietrich – Director of GME, Medical Student and WWAMI Programs, SCH​ 

• Hadar Duman – Director of Accreditation, GME, UW SoM​ 

• Dwane Liuska – Director of Government Accounting, UWMC​ (as needed) 

• Seth Hennessey – Clinical Support Services Administrator, UWMC​ 

• Santiago Neme – CMO, UWMC​ 

• Joe Smeltzer – Finance Director Site Leader, HMC​ 

• David Zonies – CMO, HMC 

Please note: The GMEPAC will be paused for AY27 as UW Medicine transitions to the updated GME FTE Request Process. This revised process is overseen by enterprise-wide committees that include dedicated GME representation. These groups will collaborate to ensure continued compliance with ACGME requirements.