International Physician's Certificate Program

All positions have been filled through June 2010. We will begin accepting applications beginning January 15, 2010 for positions July 2010 to June 2011. Materials that are received prior to 1/15/10 will be returned to the sender.

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. 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. (Please note: Those applicants that are scheduled to participate in our program during the months of March and April: We recognize the importance of participating in the match. If you have elected to participate in the NRMP match, you will be expected to withdrawl from our certificate program to provide an opportunity for others to participate.)

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.

Prerequisites:

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

  1. Current ECFMG certification (issued since 1998) in all three areas of the exam.
  2. USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores of 195 or better on each. The exam(s) must have been taken in last three years and you must have passed on the first attempt. Official USMLE transcripts are required. USMLE score reports will not be accepted.
  3. 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. Valid certification of US citizenship, landed immigrant status, or qualify for an F-1 student visa.
  5. You 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. Three letters of recommendation from people familiar with your potential to function as a resident.
  7. 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 $1371*, plus a $50 application fee, and $35 registration fee for a total cost ofo $1456. 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.

updated 9/09

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