Each year the Department of Surgery at the University of Washington offers four to six visiting sub-internship positions to international medical graduates who are interested in pursuing residency positions with us.

Please note: International physicians must complete this sub-internship program prior to applying to our residency program via ERAS. Applicants who apply to our residency program via ERAS BEFORE completing our certificate program will not be considered. Program details and admissions requirements are described below.

Students in our International Physician's Certificate Program will receive 16 continuing education units and a certificate upon successful completion of the program. Certificates will be awarded at the end of the academic year. Successful graduates of this program will be considered for a two-year non-designated residency position in the department of surgery and will have faculty interviews prior to completing the program.

Prerequisites:

To be eligible to enroll in this course you must meet the following qualifications:

  1. have current ECFMG certification (issued since 1998) in all three areas of the exam.
  2. have USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores of 195 or better on each, with exam taken in last three years.
  3. have earned a medical degree in the last ten years (if your degree is older than 10 years you do not qualify for this program).
  4. hold valid certification of US citizenship, landed immigrant status, or qualify for an F-1 student visa.
  5. are planning to apply for a two-year preliminary residency postion in surgery at the University of Washington (we do not accept applicants who do not intend to apply to our program).
  6. can provide three letters of recommendation from people familiar with your potential to function as a resident.
  7. have excellent expressive and receptive English skills

Program Description:

SURG CP688 P-Subinternship in General Surgery for International Physicians -
8 weeks
The objective of this course is to permit the international physician to work in a US teaching hospital as well as further develop his/her knowledge of surgical disease and enhance his/her ability to manage comprehensively the problems encountered in surgical patients. Physicians will function at the intern level under close supervision of the staff and housestaff. Diagnosis, preoperative care and postoperative care will be stressed. The management of surgical emergencies and outpatient follow-up of discharged patients will be included. The subintern will attend all operative procedures on his/her assigned patients and will participate in all rounds and teaching conferences. This course will provide an opportunity for the physicians to perfect his/her clinical skills in dealing with medical as well as surgical problems and will permit the physician to assume added responsibility. This program will be for preparation for participation in the UW surgical residency programs.

Physicians will spend a minimum of 160 contact hours participating in this program and will participate daily for the entire 8-week period.

Tuition for the course is $1055*, plus a $50 application fee, and $35 registration fee for a total cost ofo $1140. The full amount is due at the time of registration.

* Tuition is subject to change on annual basis

To Apply:

Please submit the following documents by mail to:

Gina Coluccio, Surgery Education Coordinator
UW Dept. of Surgery
1959 NE Pacific St., Box 356410
Seattle, WA  98195  USA

Thank you for your interest in the program and we look forward to receiving your application. Once your application is complete it will be reviewed and candidates contacted at that time. Questions may be directed to Gina Coluccio (coluccio@u.washington.edu), Surgery Education Coordinator or Jennifer Stuart (stuart22@u.washington.edu), Surgery Residency Program Information Specialist.