Program Overview

The University of Washington Clinical Scholars Program is a two-year fellowship that seeks to prepare young physicians from all medical specialties for leadership roles in the future American health care system. It combines the resources of the UW Sch ools of Medicine, Public Health, and other graduate schools to provide flexible and research-based training in preparation for a career in academia, government, or community health organizations.

Scholars enroll in a core curriculum which provides a balanced introduction to the major ideas and methods of non-clinical disciplines, including epidemiology, biostatistics, health services research, health policy, ad ministration and management, and the social and behavioral sciences. Each Scholar also conducts at least one research project in order to develop research skills and depth of knowledge in a particular subject area.

The program's priority areas for training are:

• Major societal health problems, including work-related illness, violence, AIDS, substance abuse, and other major threats to national well-being

• Assuring equity, quality, and ethical standards of care for vulnerable populations

Scholars receive the program's core courses to acquire basic methodologic skills, an enriched graduate-level curriculum within the priority area, access to a wide array of local research opportunities, and mentoring from an individual expert or multidi sciplinary group currently working in the subject area.

Special features of the Seattle setting include:

• A premier research University with a strong commitment to medical education for primary care
• A well-developed infrastructure for health research
• Close ties between the University and other health institutions in the Pacific Northwest, including:
  • Puget Sound Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  • Seven other major hospitals
  • Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound
  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
• Excellent working relationships with local, state, and federal health departments and agencies.

Scholars may also arrange an optional practicum in a government or private sector health agency to learn about its structure and function and to work on a project of mutual interest.

The program provides a stipend, tuition, health benefits, office space, computer access, a small research and travel budget, and basic clerical support.

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Last modified: 1/6/97