The Residents

Currently there are 73 resident slots in the University of Washington Psychiatry Residency program, 11 of which are for the Spokane Advanced Clinician Track. There are usually 6 residents training in Spokane and 5 residents in Seattle at any one time. Our residents represent a wide range of interests, both within and outside of medicine. Many have had prior medical training or careers in another field before pursuing further training and careers in Psychiatry.

The smaller group of residents in Spokane leads to a very collegial environment, and residents have time to interact frequently both professionally and socially. Resident didactics and T-group are inclusive, rather than separated by year, including all the residents training in Spokane at the same time in those activities.

Resident input and feedback are extremely important to the program. Spokane residents are requested to actively participate in the continuous improvement of the training program, thus helping to maintain an excellent training environment. Each year, in May, Spokane residents attend a year-end evaluation retreat. The residents, the Program Director, and the Program Coordinator, are all welcome and encouraged to attend. During the retreat, residents meet to review and discuss the program separately and then together with the Program Director to recommend any changes they believe should be implemented to improve the training process. Their concerns are then passed on to the Curriculum Committee representatives during the Annual Program Review held during June of each year. The committee then votes on any proposed changes to the program.

All residents have the opportunity to meet individually with the Program Director as needed. The Chief Resident attends all meetings of the Curriculum Committee, the Spokane Psychiatry Residency Committee, and the Graduate Medical Education Committee. Residents have input on the content of Grand Rounds programs, journal club, educational dinner and lunch meetings, and didactic sessions.

In addition to being important elements of the decision-making processes within the department, residents receive several special benefits:

• In the two years prior to moving to Spokane, residents are encouraged to visit the program in Spokane, at department expense, in order to acquaint themselves with the resident group and the city, including attending the annual retreat if possible.
• The transition from finishing the Seattle rotations to beginning the Spokane rotations is scheduled to allow ample time to make the move to Spokane.
• The cost of relocation is reimbursed, up to $3,000.
• Assistance in securing housing in Spokane is provided, as needed.
• In order to maintain close integration of the Seattle and Spokane programs, residents are encouraged to attend all residency functions including graduation, retreats, and special conferences. Travel expenses for these trips are paid by the program.
• Meals in the Sacred Heart Medical Center cafeteria are provided for residents at no charge.
• Parking at all Spokane program locations is free of charge.
• Funds are available each year for residents to acquire educational materials and/or to help defray the cost of attending educational conferences, up to $500/resident.

Anonymous Email to the Training Director