SITE COORDINATOR: Gabrielle O'Sulivan, MD

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Community: The city of Olympia, Washington (also the state capital and located in Thurston County) has been named by “Money Magazine” and “USA Today” as one of America's most livable cities.

The population of Thurston County is 200,000 and growing. Compared to other urban centers, Thurston County is relatively free from big-city problems such as traffic congestion, pollution and crime. State government is the largest employer. Education, forest products, construction, retail trade, the Port of Olympia, and light manufacturing are other major job providers. Providence St. Peter Hospital, with more than 1,500 employees, is the area's largest non-governmental employer.

Thurston County has numerous golf courses, bicycle trails, lakes, saltwater marinas, outdoor sports facilities, and off-road parks. The Pacific Ocean, Hood Canal, Olympic Peninsula, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. St. Helen are within easy driving distance and provide pleasant day trips or weekend getaways.

The Practice/Hospital: Providence St. Peter Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program is an 18 resident program with seven family physician faculty, a pediatrician, an obstetrician, 4 nurse practitioners, a dietician, and a social worker. Dr. O'Sullivan is assisted by Lisa-Ann Rouras, Education Manager. The clerkship emphasizes skills for rural care, care of the underserved, chronic disease management, and obstetrics. In addition to seeing patients in the office, students are encouraged to take one night of call per week. In the office the student is involved in our Adolescent Obstetrics Clinic, Medicine Consult Clinic (HIV intake), hospice care, and the Diabetes Group Visit. In the hospital, the student is involved in medicine and family practice admissions, ER visits and obstetrical care. Students have an opportunity to do nursing home visits, home visits and hospice team meetings and spend a day at a rural site. Seminars and didactics are available almost daily.

Faculty: Dr. O' Sullivan is the Clerkship Coordinator. Lisa Ann Rouras, Education Manager, is responsible for scheduling and orientation. All faculty and senior residents participate in supervising you during the clerkship.

Housing: One-bedroom apartment. No pets. Not wheelchair accessible.

Transportation: The clinic, hospital and apartment are within walking distance. A car is necessary for off-site activities.