What is the University of Washington School of Medicine s WWAMI Program? UW is the only school in the country to serve a 5 state region. WWAMI is an enduring partnership between: W ashington (UW & WSU) W yoming (UWYO) A laska (UAA) M ontana (MSU) I daho (UI)
UWSOM Mission Statement 1. Excellence and leadership in educating doctors; 2. Excellence and leadership in the biomedical research and academic medicine; Responsiveness to the WWAMI region s workforce needs Commitment to building and sustaining a diverse academic community Assuring access to medical education for learners from all segments of society
STEPS TO BECOMING A PHYSICIAN High School (4yrs) College/University (4yrs) Medical School (4yrs) Residency (3 7yrs) Practice Medicine (lifetime)
MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Typical Requirements: 1 year Biology 1 year Physics 1 year English 2 years Chemistry (including Organic Chemistry) Physician Shadowing (40 hrs) Research experience Medical College Application Test Interview
Medical College Application Test (MCAT) Standardized test Verbal reasoning Physical Sciences Biological Sciences Reading Comprehension Psycho social (2015 addition)
Medical School Application Process AMCAS: Primary Application Secondary Application The Interview
AMCAS: The Primary Application Collects applicant information Collects one set of transcripts Collects letters of recommendation Verifies academic records Collects personal statement/essay Sends all of this out to your chosen schools
The Personal Statement Motivation Awareness Maturity Interesting detail
WWAMI Applicants Screening Applications screened by two members of Committee to determine if an interview will be extended. GPA of 3.5 and MCAT of 27 is competitive; GPA <3.3 and MCAT score <24 will get 2 nd review to deem eligibility for secondary
Secondary Applications Interest in that medical school Prior experience in healthcare Steps taken to explore a career in medicine Eventual goals as a physician
How Do You Prepare Best? Know What You Are Getting Into! Exposure to clinical settings Physician shadowing (min. 40 hrs) Service & Patient contact Current issues in healthcare Time = Indication of commitment
What does a typical medical school curriculum look like?
Elements of the WWAMI Curriculum First Second Third Fourth Year Year Year Year Basic Science & Clinical Courses Organ-Based System Courses & Hospital Care Required Clerkships & Tracks Required & Elective Clerkships Taught in each WWAMI state Taught in Seattle Students travel to WWAMI sites or stay in a state-based track Students may travel to WWAMI states and internationally VI V IVc IVb IVa III II I Boise, Idaho
First year Idaho WWAMI Students University of Idaho Moscow Campus UI Administration Building Life Sciences Building Teaching labs, faculty offices, research labs WWAMI Classroom in Engineering Physics Building
Community Preceptorships Medical Preceptorships provide students with clinical care experiences beginning in the first year. WWAMI students begin seeing patients along side of physician preceptors in their first semester of medical school. At the regional WWAMI sites (e.g., UI/WSU) students participate in weekly precepting with physicians and patients throughout the first year.
Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (R/UOP) RUOP is a 4 week clinical immersion experience for students between their first and second year of medical school. It provides students an opportunity to work sideby-side with a community physician, providing care to either rural or urban underserved populations.
The Colleges Provide a faculty mentor for each medical student throughout their medical school years; Provide fundamental clinical skills of: Physical exam and diagnosis Oral case presentation & medical write up Clinical reasoning and interpretation Communication with patients and colleagues Professionalism and ethics
Pathway Certificate Programs Global Health Pathway Hispanic Health Pathway Indian Health Pathway Underserved Pathway
Applying knowledge and skills across all four years
GRADUATION On to Residency!
WWAMI Graduates Practice Sites in Idaho Since 1972, 248/499 (50%) of Idaho WWAMI students have returned as doctors to Idaho; overall, 362/499 WWAMI graduates have set up practice in Idaho - a 73% Return On Investment (ROI) for Idaho funding.
Websites to check out: http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/education http://www.aamc.org/audienceamcas.htm http://www.webs.uidaho.edu/alliedhealth/prem ed/ (pre med manual) www.idahofamilyphysicians.org (shadowing) http://www.wafp.net/programs/students.aspx (WA) www.aspiringdocs.org (underrepresented in medicine program) www.smdep.org (Fr/So summer prep program)
Questions?