Visiting medical students from the U.S. and Canada
The Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program accepts medical students from Liaison Committee on Medical Education-accredited schools or from the Education Department of the American Osteopathic Association who want to pursue clinical elective courses at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Students can apply through the Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS) (www.aamc.org/vsas). Contact: vsas@aamc.org or 202.478.9878.
Canadian students from LCME-accredited schools may submit the paper application by emailing visitstu@uw.edu and requesting a copy of the application form for Canadian students.
Credit for visiting rotations is issued by the home institution, not by the University of Washington.
Application requirements and information for prospective students
Eligibility
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in the M.D. or D.O. degree program at a school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or Education Department of the American Osteopathic Association. Applicants must be in good standing.
- Applicants must have a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Applicants must be in their third or fourth year of a M.D. or D.O. program.
- Applicants must have completed all or most of their required core clerkships as well as any specific prerequisites for the clerkship they are applying for. The UWSOM requires all visiting students to have clerkship experience that is comparable to the experience obtained by third-year medical students at UWSOM participating in the same electives.
- Applicants must have received a passing score on the USMLE Step 1 examination or the National Board Osteopathic Medical Examiners certifying exam.
- A minimum coverage of $3 million aggregate/1 million per occurrence in malpractice/liability insurance coverage from the student’s home school or from other non-University of Washington sources is required for all visiting students. Student’s home school is required to certify amount of malpractice/liability insurance and that it is in effect during requested rotation. Applicants who do not have this level of malpractice insurance coverage must obtain additional coverage prior to being enrolled in the requested elective. If the home institution is not able to provide supplemental coverage, Academic Medical Professionals (AMPI) is a US-based underwriter that can provide coverage for medical students. Click here for a quote.
- Applicants must be covered by personal health insurance.
- Completion of a training program in universal precautions (OSHA training) ensuring the appropriate handling of blood, tissues and body fluids during the time of his/her M.D. or D.O. training.
Application deadlines
All application forms must be received by the Visiting Student Coordinator at least six weeks prior to the start of the requested elective. All documents should be sent/uploaded to VSAS together to avoid delays in processing. For information about the availability of an elective, contact the Departmental Clerkship Administrator. Contact information for departmental administrators can be found under the Departmental Course Listings below.
Visiting students are limited to 12 weeks of clinical electives. Scheduling for Summer, Autumn and Winter Quarters begins on April 1st, 2024. Scheduling for Spring Quarter clerkships begins mid-February 2025.
Clinical schedules
Adding/dropping clerkships
All changes and cancellations must be done at least six weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date. Requests must be made in writing to the Departmental Clerkship Administrator. Contact information is on the Departmental Course Listings page on this website. Fees are non-refundable. Requests to add additional clerkships must be submitted to the Visiting Student Coordinator at visitstu@uw.edu and approved by the dean.
Application materials and examples
- Additional UW Application Requirements (PDF) to be uploaded to VSAS
- Checklist of Application Requirements (PDF)
- Example of a Perfect Application (PDF)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements
Notifications
Application received
When your application is received, VSAS will send you an auto-generated email. The email from VSAS will not contain details specific to your application. The email verifying your application status will come from the UW Visiting Student Coordinator (visitstu@uw.edu).
Your application will be processed in the order it was received. Once we have a chance to look at your application, the Visiting Student Coordinator will send you an email confirming receipt of your application and will list any items that are still missing. We will not contact you again until all documents are received.
Please note that from March - June it may take us several weeks before we can review your application, due to the volume of applications being received at that time.
Application denied
If your application does not meet our requirements, you will be notified by email/ VSAS that your application has not been accepted. Fees are non-refundable.
Application approved
Once your application is complete and has been approved, you will receive an email from the Visiting Student Coordinator confirming that your application has been approved and forwarded to the department(s) of your requested elective(s). You will be notified by VSAS that your status has been made 'eligible'. An approved application does not guarantee a clerkship. After your application has been approved, all further correspondence, including your clerkship offer, will come from the departmental administrator (clerkship offers are issued via VSAS). Contact information is under the Departmental Course Listings page on this website.
"Official" clerkship offers are issued via VSAS. If you are issued an "unofficial" clerkship offer from clinical faculty or departmental staff, the clerkship is NOT guaranteed.
Needlestick protocol
Blood/body fluid exposure - visiting students
Time matters! Proceed swiftly with the following:
- Remove all soiled clothing.
- Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water (15 mins). Flush splashes to the nose, mouth or skin with water (15 mins). Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline or sterile irrigants (15 mins).
- Write down the following information on “source” patient: Name, hospital or clinic number, date of birth and patient location
- Notify a supervising staff member that you need to report to employee health. Identify yourself as a UW School of Medicine "visiting medical student". If after hours, report to a local emergency department.
- Report to Employee Health/emergency department as a blood/body fluid exposure for:
- Risk assessment of exposure
- Baseline laboratory work
- Employee Health evaluation of “source” patient
- Institution of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), if appropriate
Blood-bourne pathogen (BBP) exposure lab testing and payment information: All costs related to BBP exposures should be billed to your personal insurance. Students will be billed for items that are not covered by insurance.
If you have unanswered questions after a BBP exposure/needlestick, contact: Office of Student Affairs: 206-543-5560 (8am-5pm Pacific Time)
For further information
Resources for Visiting Students
Counseling
Graduate and professional school by its nature is demanding and stressful. The volume of work and the intense pace of your training may require that you make adjustments to your lifestyle. These changes can stretch your usual coping skills and may also require learning some new ones. At other times, you may just need a place to process and talk situations and issues you are experiencing and perhaps discover solutions to whatever you may be facing.
Our Wellness & Counseling Staff are here to help and specialize exclusively with students in our medical education programs. All of our School of Medicine Student Counselors are licensed, experienced, mental health professionals who are knowledgeable in providing psychotherapy and counseling to medical students experiencing a broad range of concerns.
Counseling is completely confidential and compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) standards. Limited counseling records are securely kept by your counselor and are not part of your academic file. Information about students who are seeking counseling is never shared with faculty or administrators unless a Release of Information is provided and such communication requested.
Appointments can be made by contacting the counselor of your choice in person, by email, or by phone. Counselors are generally available Monday through Friday during normal business hours (8 am – 5 pm Pacific time), though some limited evening appointments are available. Contact your desired counselor directly for their specific schedule as these may fluctuate in response to student needs and counselor availability during times of high service utilization.
If you have an urgent issue, please go to the emergency department or call 911.
All of the medical student counselors are licensed, experienced, mental health professionals who are experienced in providing psychotherapy and counseling to medical students. In Seattle, Dr. Richard Veith, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, provides psychiatric consultation to the counselors when needed. To protect student privacy and confidentiality, student names or identifying information are never utilized during these consultations.
The Counseling Service on the Seattle campus is in the AA suite of offices on the first floor of the UW Medical Center. Take the BB elevators to the first floor; turn toward "Lab Services"; turn left at the hallway and immediately turn left again into the AA suite. Signs will direct you to each of the counselor offices. Appointments can be made by contacting the counselor of your choice in person, by phone, or by email.
If you are looking to schedule a first appointment with a counselor:
Clifton Kelly, MS, MDiv, LMHC, LCPC
Director, School of Medicine Student Wellness & Counseling
ckelly70@uw.edu
Phone: 206.616.3022
Health Sciences Building, AA-103E
Darren Fisher, MA, LMHCA
fisherda@uw.edu
Phone: 206.616.3024
Health Sciences Building, AA-111G
Satoko Takeda, MA, LMHC, NCC
staked@uw.edu
Phone: 206.543.8392
Health Sciences Building, AA-111E
Emergency Services
The Counseling Service does not provide emergency services or after-hours crisis intervention. Students in crisis may contact the King County Crisis Line, the Crisis Text Line, the National Suicide Prevention Line or may seek assistance at the nearest Emergency department.
General
- 988/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 is the new three-digit number to get mental health support if you are in crisis. You can call or text 988 to chat.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 or visit their website. Services are available 24/7.
- Physician Support Line: this is a confidential phone line that operates 7 days a week (8 am to 1am EST) Licensed psychiatrists volunteer to provide support on the line. Call: 888.409.0141.
- #BeThe1To: supporting suicide prevention. Let’s join to take actions to promote healing, help and give hope.
- Call 911 if you, a loved one, or colleague is in immediate distress.
Washington State Specific
- Crisis Connections: serving King, Pierce, Clark, Grant, Chelan, Okanogan, Douglas, Skamania and Klickitat counties. Call: 866.427.4747.
- King County 24-Hour Crisis Line: Call 800.621.4636.
LGBTQIIA+ Specific
- The Trevor Project: providing confidential support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention 24/7. You can call (866.488.7386), text (text START to 678-678), or instant message anytime.
- Trans Lifeline: providing 24/7 confidential support for transgender people by transgender people. Call: 877.565.8860.
- The Mental Health Coalition: text COALITION to 741741 for crisis support.
BIPOC Specific
- BlackLine: providing support and crisis counseling for BIPOC individuals through a Black, LGBTQ, and Black Femme lens. Call: 800.604.5941.
- The Mental Health Coalition: text COALITION to 741741 for crisis support.
Veteran Specific
- Veterans Crisis Line: providing 24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to connect. Call: 988 then press 1; or text 838255
If you need immediate or emergency assistance involving a mental health crisis, please call 911, dial 988, or contact Crisis Connections at 866.427.4747.
An additional resource available is The Husky HelpLine - https://wellbeing.uw.edu/huskyhelpline/, 24/7 Services available by calling 206.616.7777, or chat via the Telus website - https://myssp.app/ca/home, you can also download the Telus app on Apple Store and Google Play
General Clerkship Concerns
For general concerns about your clerkship please contact your clerkship administrator or the Visiting Student Program Office visitstu@uw.edu or 206.543.5560.
Concerns about mistreatment in the learning environment:
Student mistreatment policy:
The University of Washington School of Medicine is committed to assuring a safe and supportive learning environment that reflects the institution’s values: excellence, respect, integrity, compassion, altruism, and accountability in all endeavors. Diversity of ideas, perspectives and experiences are integral to our mission. All individuals in our UWSOM community are responsible for creating a welcoming and respectful environment where every person is valued and honored. Mistreatment of students by faculty, staff or peers at UWSOM is prohibited. This mistreatment includes incidents of humiliation; harassment or discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status, political beliefs or affiliations, and geographic region; and the use of grading or other forms of assessment in a punitive manner:
Urgent concerns:
If students have an urgent concern about the learning environment that requires an immediate response, e.g. a potentially impaired physician, physical or sexual assault, or other egregious situation in the learning environment, they should contact the associate dean for student affairs directly at gesarah@uw.edu.
Reporting other concerns (4 ways):
- Report to the director of the learning environment
- Report online using the learning environment reporting tool (aLERT)
- Report in any school of medicine evaluation
- Report to any school of medicine dean
How concerns are processed:
The Director of the Learning Environment follows up with all students who submit concerns. Concerns are then reviewed by the Incident Response and Oversight Committee, a subcommittee of the Learning Environment Committee, which is comprised of deans from Student Affairs and Curriculum. A determination is made, in collaboration with the student, about when and how to share feedback. Interventions for specific individuals may include feedback about the behavior, remediation, monitoring for improvement, or removal from teaching. Interventions can also be more broad such as adjustments to curriculum, general faculty development, etc. All interventions are tracked.
All students are protected against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under UW executive order No. 31.
Other resources:
Students may choose to discuss their concerns with any one or more of the following to determine if they would like to submit a formal report (but note that this is not equivalent to filing a report and no action will be taken):
- Counseling and wellness staff
- College mentors
- Any trusted staff of faculty member
- Classmates, friends, family
- Discussing externally to the UW School of Medicine:
- SafeCampus can help address concerns in the following areas: conflict resolution, relationship violence, stalking, sexual misconduct, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
- The Office of the Ombud is a confidential, neutral resource, where students, faculty, and staff can seek information, consultation, and assistance for any professional challenges.
- Reporting externally to the UW School of Medicine:
- UW Bias Reporting Tool (upper campus), https://www.washington.edu/bias
- UW Medicine Bias Reporting Tool, https://depts.washington.edu/hcequity/bias-reporting-tool/
- Civil Rights Investigation Office, https://www.washington.edu/cr-investigations
- Title IX Officer, 206.221.7932, titleix@uw.edu
Absence Policy
- No time off is allowed during two-week clerkships.
- If more than two days off are needed during a four- to twelve-week clerkship, the clerkship should be rescheduled.
- Students needing time off during a four- to twelve-week clerkship must consult with the appropriate clerkship director at least six (6) weeks prior to the start of the clerkship to request permission, to ensure the days do not conflict with any required elements of the clerkship such as orientation or the final exam, and to limit the negative impact on the clerkship experience.
- There are no vacation days during clerkships except for Match day and possibly holidays.
- For residency interviews, students should schedule elective time off. If interviews are offered when students are already scheduled for clerkships, students should work directly with the clerkship director immediately regarding absences for residency interviews. There is no guarantee that any additional time off from the clerkship will be permitted.
Policy on Professional Conduct
Professional Behavior and Conduct for the Teacher/Learner Relationship
The University of Washington School of Medicine is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic performance, professional behavior, personal integrity, and respect for each other as individuals. These standards apply to all individuals associated with the educational experience. Teachers and learners are expected to be on their honor to maintain the highest standards of professional behavior in all aspects of training. Both must be respectful of the special nature of the physician-in-training status in how they conduct themselves in the presence of patients and maintain patient confidentiality. Integrity is an essential personal quality for successful completion of the M.D. program. Upholding the standards of professional and personal conduct includes both acquiring and demonstrating the behavioral patterns and attitudes consistent with the oath taken at the time of graduation and also being accountable for one’s own conduct as well as assuming responsibility for the professional behavior of one’s colleagues within the medical profession. In this regard, the teachers are expected to provide role modeling that will enhance the learners’ ability to incorporate appropriate behaviors into their professional development.
The School of Medicine believes that the provision of an atmosphere in which individuals can learn from each other in a supportive environment and in which there is recognition of the dignity and worth of each person is essential to its mission. The members of this community come from many different backgrounds and include different races, religions, sexual orientations, ethnic ancestries, and socio-economic status. Learning to understand differences, as well as the similarities, and how to integrate culturally sensitive skills in communications at all levels is an important dimension of education. It is hoped that all would seek to appreciate the richness and personal growth that this diversity provides everyone as members of the medical school and university community.
Policy on Use and Possession of Marijuana
Regardless of the laws of the state in which the students reside, UW policy prohibits the production, distribution, possession, and use of marijuana on university property or during university-sponsored activities. A number of university employees are subject to drug and alcohol testing because of the type of work they perform. Violating these policies or testing positive for marijuana may lead to sanctions, including termination, under the applicable general code of conduct, even if the use occurred outside of work hours and otherwise in accordance with state law. It is still a federal crime to possess and use even small amounts of marijuana on or in any university facilities or vehicles. In addition, failure to comply with federal laws and regulations on marijuana possession and use on campus jeopardizes the UW’s continued receipt of federal funds. See the University’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy for more information.
It is important for medical students to be cognizant of both the UW policy for faculty and staff and how healthcare facilities will be handling positive THC results on drug screening. For medical students training in healthcare facilities throughout the WWAMI region, several already require drug screening including the THC as a prerequisite for participation in a clerkship or clinical elective. Thus, medical students may face negative consequences for a positive THC screen.
Civil Rights Investigation Office, https://www.washington.edu/cr-investigations
The Civil Rights Investigation Office is responsible for investigating complaints that a University employee has violated the University’s non-discrimination and/or non-retaliation policies. A UCIRO investigation may be requested either by an individual or by the administrative head of a University organization.
Title IX
The University Title IX office is responsible for facilitating the University’s compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities which receive Federal financial assistance. Sexual harassment of students, which includes acts of sexual violence or sexual assault, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. Retaliation against those who raise complaints or participate in the complaint investigation and resolution process is also prohibited.
Disability Resources for Students (DRS)
The University of Washington and its School of Medicine are committed to ensuring that students have equal access through reasonable accommodations for their documented disability to the educational programs and facilities. The School of Medicine works closely with the University’s Disability Resources for Students (DRS) to assist students in making the transition to the medical school environment and in identifying accommodations that will support their success in the program.
Diversity Sub-internships for Visiting Students
Departmental course listings
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
Clerkship Administrator: Jamie Humphries
Phone: 206.543.1032
E-mail: anesstu@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
To Apply:
- Applications must be received by April 1, 2025.
- You must meet all requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program. For more information on eligibility requirements for this visiting student opportunity, please visit our webpage here.
- Complete the VSAS application and upload all supplemental materials to VSAS. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
About the Anesthesiology Visiting Scholars Program (AVSP): The AVSP is a funded clerkship elective program designed to provide a month-long educational experience for outstanding fourth-year medical students interested in Anesthesiology and who come from a broad range of those who are currently underrepresented in medicine.
ANEST 681 – Advanced Clerkship in Anesthesiology at University of Washington Medical Center (UW Medical Center)
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks, 8 credits
Prerequisites: Completion of Basic Science Curriculum and third-year medical student standing
Course description: The goal of this clerkship is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive view of the role of physician-anesthesiologist in the preoperative evaluation and preparation of critically ill surgical patients, and in the intraoperative and postoperative management of patients undergoing major surgery, such as cardiac or neurosurgical operations. The clerkship will be of interest to students considering Anesthesiology as a career. Please see here for more information.
Enrollment: Dependent upon availability.
ANEST 682 – Advanced Clerkship in Anesthesiology at Harborview Medical Center (HMC)
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks, 8 credits
Prerequisites: Completion of Basic Science Curriculum and third-year medical student standing
Course description: The goal of this clerkship is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive view of the role of physician-anesthesiologist in the preoperative evaluation and preparation of critically ill surgical patients and in the intraoperative and postoperative management of patients undergoing major surgery, such as cardiac or neurosurgical operations. The clerkship will be of interest to students considering Anesthesiology as a career. Please see here for more information.
Enrollment: Dependent upon availability.
Dermatology
Clerkship Administrator: Lan Nguyen
Contact: drmedstu@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Dermatology rotations are four (4) weeks in length. Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
Prerequisites for Dermatology Clerkships:
- Fourth-year medical student standing, and completion of 8 weeks internal medicine rotation(s).
- Students should have received a grade of Honors or High Pass on their required medicine clerkship.
- We require all students to have a recent transcript uploaded to VSLO. Canadian students may have them emailed to drmedstu@uw.edu
Dermatology Visiting Student Diversity Scholarship:
The Dermatology Visiting Student Diversity Scholarship program seeks to provide funding for students interested in Dermatology to experience the outstanding training programs at the University of Washington. Although anyone is able to apply as a visiting student, the Dermatology Visiting Student Diversity Scholarship is intended to provide support for the financial barriers that prevent many students from being able to participate otherwise. For more information can be found here or you can e-mail drmedstu@uw.edu.
To Apply:
- Complete the VSLO application and upload all supplemental materials to VSLO. We require ALL students to complete a supplemental application in order to be considered a spot in our course, regardless of whether you are applying for the Dermatology Visiting Student Diversity Scholarship or not. You will find this application on VSLO titled “Dermatology Visiting Student Application 2025.”
- Students using VSLO to apply should upload their home institution evaluation form. If it is an electronic evaluation, note this on our medicine supplemental application form.
- Questions? Please contact drmedstu@uw.edu
DERM 604 – Clinical Dermatology
Participation in dermatology clinics and inpatient consultations at the in University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and the Seattle VA Medical Center. Journal Club and clinical conferences are held each week with the entire staff in addition to a continuing series of teaching seminars and weekly dermatopathology conferences.
Objectives
- Evaluate patients seen in consultation with a member of the Dermatology Inpatient Consulting team.
- Demonstrate basic approach to the diagnosis and management of the most common skin problems.
- Discuss basic principles and practice of oral and topical dermatologic therapy with wet dressings, steroids, emollients and antipruritic therapy.
- Recognize major life-threatening skin diseases and markers of systemic disease.
- Utilize dermatologic vocabulary in order to generate clinical differential diagnoses and accurately describe a rash or a lesion when requesting consultative services.
- Recognize common skin tumors, and understand appropriate diagnostics tests used in dermatology.
- Demonstrate appropriate history-taking and general physical examination with special attention to examination and description of the skin.
- Construct write-ups and oral presentations to be as precise and efficient as possible in communication about patients.
- Perform special diagnostic procedures (KOH, Tzanck test, patch test, skin biopsy) to assist in delineating patients' problems.
Emergency Medicine
Clerkship Administrator: Alexis Rush
Email: rusha@uw.edu
The Department of Emergency Medicine offers an Emergency Medicine Scholars Program (EMSP) for visiting students. The Emergency Medicine Scholars Program (EMSP) is a funded program designed to provide a broad, month-long educational experience within the University of Washington Department of Emergency Medicine for exceptional fourth year medical students from a broad range of those who are under-represented in medicine.
For more information, please see the EMSP website.
Family Medicine
Administrator: Ivan Henson
Phone: 206.543.9425
Email: famed@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
To Apply:
- Please contact the Residency site(s) directly for most recent availability. Visit the Residency Network Sites description web page.
- Applications must be received at least 8 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Complete the VSLO application and upload all supplemental materials to VSLO. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete. Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
The Department of Family Medicine has developed a Sub-Internship (FAMED 688) for 4th year medical students at the University of Washington School of Medicine and for students visiting from LCME and AOA accredited M.D. / D.O. schools.
A major benefit to the Residency Network is that there are over 30 programs across 5 states, serving many different interests and offering experiences in a wide variety of settings. Scheduling is done on a first-come, first-served basis.
FAMED 688 - Family Medicine Sub-Internship (8 cr)
Offered: A, W. Sp, S – 4 weeks
Prerequisites: Basic Science Curriculum, successful completion of all required third year core clerkships, fourth year medical student in good standing, permission of site.
Faculty: Pam Pentin, MD
Instructor: TBA depending on residency location. The Family Medicine Sub-I has a prescribed curriculum, with an advanced degree of independence and responsibility in preparation for their R-1 year. Rotations take place at one of the WWAMI regional affiliated Family Medicine Residency Network programs. Find out more about the Sub-internship registration steps for visiting students on the Department of Family Medicine web site.
Enrollment: variable
FAMED 690 - One Health Clinical Elective
Offered: A, W. Sp, S – 4 weeks
Prerequisites: Permission of course director
Course Director: Peter Rabinowitz, MD, peterr7@uw.edu
“One Health” recognizes the intricate links between the health of humans, animals, and the environment. This elective provides an academic conceptual framework and clinical exposure through which to explore the multitude of applications of the “One Health” paradigm in a multidisciplinary context. Students will gain experience working with interdisciplinary teams including veterinarians and physicians on species-spanning approaches to health.
Internal Medicine
Medicine Student Programs contact: imstudents4yr@uw.edu
International Visiting Student Applications are being accepted for 24-25.
Until further notice, the Department of Medicine is closing the Visiting Students Program for Domestic Students. Please check back on this site for updates on when we plan to begin accepting applications.
With the exception of our subinternship in Boise, Idaho (MEDECK 671), students will rotate at one of our two teaching hospitals: UW Medical Center (UWMC) and Harborview Medical Center (HMC). Due to availability we are unable to accommodate special requests for specific medical centers.
Visiting Scholars Program The internal medicine Visiting Scholars Program (VSP) is a funded program designed to give students from groups underrepresented in medicine an opportunity to experience the training that the University of Washington Department of Medicine has to offer. This program is open to students from LCME and AACOM accredited US medical schools. Students accepted to the Visiting Scholars Program can take subinternships or consult rotations at the University of Washington Medical Center or Harborview Medical Center in a number of specialties. Learn more.
General Visiting Students Please review our prerequisites closely, all requirements must be met to be considered for an elective.
Block Calendar: All Medicine rotations are four (4) weeks in length. Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
Prerequisites for Medicine Elective Clerkships:
- Fourth-year medical student standing, and completion of 8 weeks internal medicine rotation(s).
- Students must complete and upload to VSLO our Medicine Supplemental Application Form.docx.
- If you have not uploaded our Medicine Supplemental Application Form, you will not be considered for an elective.
- We require a minimum of USMLE Step 1 of 220 or COMLEX of 474.
- Students should have received a grade of Honors or High Pass on their required medicine clerkship.
- Students need to submit a letter of recommendation from a faculty member at their home institution. Send to imstudents4yr@uw.edu .
- We require all students to have a recent transcript uploaded to VSLO. Canadian students may have them emailed to imstudents4yr@uw.edu
- If you do not have a transcript uploaded you will not be considered for an elective.
To Apply:
- Complete the VSLO application and upload all supplemental materials to VSLO. No action will be taken on an application until it is complete and fully approved by the UWSOM Visiting Student Office. Applications must be received and approved at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
- We will accept applications starting April 15, 2024, for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- We will only schedule students during our enrollment period starting May 20, 2024, through August 31, 2024. If you are accepted you will be notified during this timeframe.
- If space is available, students will be matched to open elective rotations and notified via VSLO no later than 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the elective.
- Students using VSLO to apply should upload their home institution evaluation form. If it is an electronic evaluation, note this on our medicine supplemental application form.
- Questions? Please refer to our Medicine FAQ
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancelations and changes must be made in writing to the department contact listed above.
Absence Policy: Please note our absence policy. Each elective has standard days off (often weekends off for consult electives and 4 total days during the month for a sub-internship.) Additional days off are generally not allowed. Please do not schedule an elective during a time when you are expecting to do residency interviews (both virtual and in-person no days off).
MEDECK 605 – Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Students will see inpatient consults with an Endocrine attending and fellow, and attend a variety of outpatient clinics. The outpatient experience includes subspecialty clinics in metabolic bone disease, intensive diabetes management, and pituitary disorders.
Students will also spend at least a half day per week in the offices of endocrinologists in private practice. Objectives: Inpatient Consult Service
- To learn about inpatient management of patients with diabetes mellitus, glycemic control, prevention of complications and adjusting insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents for procedures or surgery. May include learning how hospital standards for glycemic management are taught to housestaff.
- To learn how acute and chronic illnesses affect a variety of endocrinologic organ systems.
- To efficiently evaluate the endocrine systems of acutely or chronically ill patients, including the role of stimulation or suppression testing and imaging studies
- To learn the principles and delivery of enteral and parenteral nutritional support.
- To learn inpatient consultation management, including integrating and teaching to Internal Medicine housestaff and medical students.
- To become more sensitive and skilled in interaction with patients, families and referring physicians.
Continuity Clinics
- To learn evaluation and treatment of general endocrinologic diseases of outpatients, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and their complications.
- To learn how to utilize other professionals in developing a comprehensive approach to endocrine diseases.
- To gain a longitudinal perspective of endocrine diseases.
MEDECK 606 Clinical Gastroenterology
Students will join the members of our Gastroenterology Inpatient Consulting team for an in-depth experience in clinical gastroenterology.
Objectives:
- Evaluate patients seen in consultation with a member of the Gastroenterology Inpatient Consulting team.
- Discuss and identify underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of GI diseases with GI illness and complaints.
- Discuss the capabilities as well as limitations of endoscopy in clinical practice.
- Discuss appropriate indications and contraindications for endoscopic procedures.
- Discuss key elements for providing excellent consultative service in Inpatient medical care.
MEDECK 607 Clinical Hematology/Oncology
Students rotate at one of three Seattle area sites. Students will work up patients in the inpatient and outpatient services under supervision of a clinical Fellow and the faculty of the Divisions of Hematology and Oncology. At all sites there is an active outpatient clinic, but each site has a unique inpatient focus.
UW Medical Center: The University of Washington Medical Center rotation includes a focus on blood and bone marrow morphology and students can opt to round with an inpatient leukemia team. The UW Medical Center outpatient Hematology clinic is located at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center at South Lake Union.
Harborview: The Harborview rotation elective will provide experience with the evaluation and management of common solid tumors, patients with bleeding or thrombosis and HIV-positive patients.
Puget Sound VA: The Seattle VA Medical Center rotation can include marrow transplantation experience.
Objectives:
- Understanding the pathophysiology, workup and therapy of anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, myeloproliferative disorders and coagulation problems.
- Exposure to the work-up and treatment of malignancies. Understanding how one weighs risks and benefits in cancer care decisions care of the patient with malignancy. (UWMC hematologic malignancy only)
- Harborview: Learn to evaluate patients with common solid tumors, bleeding, or thrombosis and to evaluate HIV-positive patients with low blood counts or HIV-related malignancies.
MEDECK 608 Clinical Infectious Diseases
Inpatient consultation services are staffed by members of a large faculty and fellowship program. Students see patients and make daily rounds with an infectious disease fellow and/or medicine resident. Emphasis of the clerkship is on the varied diagnostic and therapeutic challenges prevalent in general hospitals.
Objectives:
- Evaluate patients seen in consultation with a member of the Infectious Diseases Inpatient Consulting team,
- Learn the basics of use and misuse of antimicrobials, including antivirals and antifungal agents.
- Demonstrate diagnostic approaches used to evaluate and initially manage hospitalized patients with infectious disease
- Apply mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in developing treatment plans for patients with resistant organisms and reducing the prevalence of resistant organisms,
- Master the basics of clinical microbiology and its use in initial patient evaluation.
- Learn the basics of hospital epidemiology and the control of disease transmission in the hospital.
MEDECK 609 Clinical Nephrology
On the nephrology/fluid balance clerkship students will see clinical nephrologic problems under close supervision. They participate in nephrology rounds, see consults with renal fellows and attendings and work up patients in renal clinics.
Objectives:
- Calculate and estimate renal function given appropriate data,
- Evaluate patients with hematuria,
- Describe the causes of oliguria/anuria,
- Distinguish the various glomerular lesions,
- Discuss indications for renal biopsy,
- Distinguish pre-renal, renal, and post-renal causes of oliguria,
- Treat patients with salt and water disorders,
- Treat patients with common pH imbalances disorders,
- Evaluate and treat patients with hypertension,
- Discuss the evaluation and treatment of patients with renal stones,
- Discuss the indications for instituting chronic dialysis and the major complications of such treatment,
- Recognize urinary sediments under the microscope and learn about casts, cells and crystals.
MEDECK 610 Clinical Respiratory Diseases
Students are assigned to the consultation service in Respiratory Disease. They will gain training and experience in respiratory disease diagnosis and management with emphasis on x-ray diagnosis, pulmonary function testing and interpretation, and use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The services are fully integrated with Respiratory Therapy for management of continuous mechanical ventilation and use of inhalational and physical therapy. Patients are seen by the students under supervision of a Fellow, and presented to the Attending. Students will participate in pulmonary function testing and, at some sites, one half-day outpatient clinic.
Objectives:
- Take a history, perform a physical examination and initiate a diagnostic work-up on patients with pulmonary problems including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and a variety of infectious processes.
- State the indications for various diagnostic modalities including pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gases, thoracentesis, CT imaging of the chest, and bronchoscopy
- Interpret pulmonary function tests including spirometry, lung volumes and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide
- Interpret arterial blood gases
- Interpret plain radiographs of the chest and formulate differential diagnoses for the relevant findings.
- Interpret the results of pleural fluid analysis
MEDECK 615 Clinical Rheumatology
Elective provides students experience in the diagnosis and management of patients with rheumatic diseases. In addition to patient contact, four or five preceptorial sessions are held each week. These seminars cover rheumatic diseases in depth. The topics include: joint examination, laboratory tests in rheumatic diseases, examination of synovial fluid, radiology of rheumatic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperuricemia, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, degenerative joint disease, spondylitis, vasculitis, and polymyalgia rheumatica. These sessions emphasize disease mechanisms as well as diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. During the 4-week period, students have ample time for independent reading. Students work closely with faculty and staff of the Division of Rheumatology throughout the 4-week elective.
Paper: During this rotation students will have the opportunity to write a 3-5 page paper on a topic approved by the rheumatology consult attending. In addition, students will be expected to present a weekly topic during inpatient rounds for 5 minutes that is literature based and pertains to a patient issue approved by the consult fellow.
Objectives:
- Develop basic musculoskeletal exam skills and be able to sort out joint complaints as either articular, periarticular, or radiating pain.
- Distinguish inflammatory from mechanical joint pain.
- Pattern recognize common forms of arthritis.
- Have a working knowledge of rheumatology laboratory tests.
- Acquire an approach to the diagnosis and treatment of common rheumatologic conditions including regional conditions such as rotator cuff tendonitis, plantar fasciitis etc.
- Recognize potential serious rheumatologic illness such as vasculitis or lupus.
MEDECK 622 Clinical Medical Genetics
This course is open only to students pursuing a residency in Medical Genetics. This elective will introduce the specialty of clinical genetics to the student, and they will learn skills needed in diagnosis, management, and understanding of a broad range of genetic disorders. Physicians who specialize in medical genetics diagnose, manage and treat patients with genetically influenced health problems. Medical genetics encompasses essentially all of medicine, because all organ systems manifest genetic conditions. Relevant skills common to all of genetics include: history taking, risk assessment physical examination, communication skills, and interpretation of genetic testing. Special areas of expertise in the UW Genetic Medicine include the following: Connective tissue
disorders, cancer genetics.
Objectives:
- To learn to elicit and record a family pedigree and analyze it for possible syndromes and patterns of inheritance.
- To learn how genetic conditions affect a wide variety of organ systems and manifest in diverse ways.
- To learn the approach to genetic evaluation of a patient.
- To gain an understanding of how genetic testing should be ordered and interpreted.
- To become more sensitive and skilled in interacting with patients and families.
MEDECK 671 Ward Subinternship in Boise, Idaho
Open ONLY to students applying to the IM residency program at Boise, Idaho. Please contact Lydia Carbis, carbisl@uw.edu, for more information and requirements to apply.
- Students will serve as interns at the Boise Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, on the medical wards under supervision of house staff and attending physicians. They will attend all regular medical rounds and conferences as their schedule permits. Students are given responsibilities commensurate with those of interns under supervision by the resident and attending staff. Students will participate in 2 weeks of night float and 2 weeks of day team to allow for adequate learning requirements. While on night float, students will be admitting every shift and will learn cross cover skills. Day team will allow for continuity of care as well as participation in residency teaching conferences. More information about the Boise VA Medicine Residency program can be found at https://uwboisemedres.uw.edu/.
MEDECK 701 Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Open ONLY to students applying for an Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency. Students will be spend several half days per week in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic at Harborview Medical Center. Working with attending faculty, OEM residents, industrial hygienists, and other support staff, medical students will gain exposure and experience in working with complex occupationally related injury and illness.
As part of this rotation, students will have the opportunity to develop and complete a project. This project will be developed under the advisement of Occupational Medicine faculty and can be tailored to the interests of the rotator. Office space will be available in the Pat Steel building for the use of medical student rotators. As available, medical students will have the opportunity to participate in worksite visits. These visits will allow medical students the opportunity to better understand the connection between workplace safety and overall health.
Objectives:
- Students will get an overview of the primary care specialty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (OEM).
- In the clinic, students will be introduced to the Washington Worker's Comp system, with occupational injuries and illnesses such as lumbar strain, occupational chemical exposure, and traumatic brain injury.
- Students will learn to write appropriate work restrictions and communicate with employers.
- They will attend conferences such as “current topics in occupational medicine” along with OEM residents in training.
- They will participate in worksite visits and complete a special project in OEM that aligns with their individuals interests.
Laboratory Medicine
Clerkship Administrator: Tho Bui
Phone: 206.598.1566
Email: lmclerk@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s). To Apply:
- Please contact Clerkship Administrator for availability and permission.
- Applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Complete the VSAS application and upload all supplemental materials to VSAS. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete. Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
Course # 680 – Clinical Laboratory Testing: Methods & Interpretation
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 2 Weeks, 4 credits
Instructors: Maryam Asif & Hamilton Tsang
Prerequisites: None for virtual course
Type: Virtual
Grading: This course is Pass/Fail. Students are evaluated based upon completion of assignments, evaluations, engagement, and attendance.
The LabM 680 Virtual course is being offered in place of the LabM 680 in-person elective due to COVID-19 limitations.
Please note: We require a minimum of 4 medical students to register for each offering of the virtual course. Please contact thob@uw.edu to enquire about the status of the time frame you are interested in, and for permission to register.
This clerkship provides medical students an opportunity to develop their diagnostic and patient management skills through directed distance learning in the hospital-based clinical laboratory. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical laboratory response has been dynamic. Laboratory Medicine resident service work, conferences, and didactics have shifted to a predominately remote-access paradigm. This represents a unique opportunity to participate in similar, clinical activities with some additional guidance. The student will directly observe faculty-level review of test results (“sign-out”) or rounds and complete both guided and independent study; this involves small group sessions, journal article reading, live and recorded didactics. Students will reflect on and share their experiences. The goal of the schedule is to give students a glimpse of multiple laboratories and the breadth of testing performed in the Department. Special focus may include how the clinical laboratories have mobilized in response to an urgent pandemic threat, and whether this response is generalizable or unique to UW Laboratories.
The primary aims of the general rotation are to:
- Introduce students to common activities of the laboratory, including issues that frequently require Laboratorian consultation.
- Introduce and explore concepts of pre-clinical variables, including labeling/patient identification and patient safety in the clinical lab; and
- Encourage consultation with Laboratorian/Pathologist colleagues in future clinical practice.
Enrollment: 14 students, Visiting students require permission from department.
We are no longer offering LabM 685 starting 2024-2025 academic year until further notice.
Neurological Surgery
Clerkship Administrator: Megan Osika-Dass
Phone: 206.744.9316
E-mail: resns@uw.edu
Block Calendar:Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
To Apply:
- You must meet all eligibility requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Complete the VSAS application and upload all supplemental materials to VSAS. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete. Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
NEUR S 680 – Neurological Surgery Clerkship
Offered: Summer, Autumn – 4 Weeks
Instructor: Richard G. Ellenbogen, M.D.
Overview:
The UW Neurosurgery visiting student clerkship is designed as a sub-internship experience for medical students interested in matching in neurological surgery. Four weeks on service in a sub-intern role provides students an immersive education experience as well as exposure to our program. Sub-interns with the UW Department of Neurological Surgery are expected to participate as members of the patient care team, participating in inpatient care, emergency and operating room procedures, and outpatient clinics. Sub-interns also have opportunities to engage with our research groups with projects led by Faculty and Residents.
Schedule:
4 weeks, full time. Students spend 2 weeks assigned to Harborview Medical Center, 1 week assigned to Seattle Children’s Hospital, and 1 week assigned to UW Medical Center. Students are expected to participate in overnight, in-house call at HMC throughout the rotation.
Conferences:
- Grand Rounds – 7:00 AM on Wednesdays, Harborview Medical Center
- Resident Education – 8:00 AM on Wednesdays, Harborview Medical Center
- Additional conferences are based on assigned clinical site schedule
Presentations:
Sub-interns are expected to present a short research presentation during Department Grand Rounds.
Neurology
Clerkship Administrator: Serena Wong
Phone: 206.598.0216
Email: serenalw@uw.edu
Clerkship Website: https://depts.washington.edu/neurolog/archive/education/clerkships/
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
To Apply:
- Applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Complete the VSAS application and upload all supplemental materials to VSAS. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete. Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made directly through email to the Clerkship Administrator.
NEURL 686 – Adult Neurology Clerkship
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks, 8 credits
Prerequisites: Completion of core clerkships at home school. Visiting students are welcome to apply for any rotation dates for this elective clerkship. Please see complete course description on the clerkship website.
Enrollment: 1-2 students per 4-week rotation
NEURL 688 – Pediatric Neurology Clerkship
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks, 8 credits
Prerequisites: Completion of core clerkships at home school. Visiting students are welcome to apply for any rotation dates for this elective clerkship. Please see complete course description on the clerkship website.
Enrollment: 1 student per 4-week rotation
NEURL 685 – Epilepsy & Clinical EEG Clerkship
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 2 Weeks/4 credits or 4 weeks/8 credits
Prerequisites: Completion of core clerkships at home school. Visiting students are welcome to apply for any rotation dates for this elective clerkship. Please see complete course description on the clerkship website.
Enrollment: 1 student per rotation
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Clerkship Administrator: RaQuel Harwick
Phone: 206.543.3892
Email: obclerk@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. Students must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
Prerequisites for OB/GYN Clerkships:
Please include in your initial application, an official USMLE Step 1 and 2, if completed, score report and performance in 3rd year core clerkships. This information will be used to determine which visiting students will be offered one of our limited prime summer and autumn slots. Due to the limited number, we will not be able to offer electives to international students. Students must have 1st try PASS on USMLE 1 and 2 and Complex (if both are taken).
Diversity Student Program Information:
https://obgyn.uw.edu/diversity
How To Apply
Please submit the following documents:
- AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities
- Indicate the sub internship you would like to complete
- UW OB/GYN Inclusive Visiting Learner Sub-Internship application
- Current curriculum vitae
- Step 1 score report and Step 2 score report (if available)
- An official medical school transcript with grades for OB/GYN, Surgery, and Psychiatry clerkships.
- Personal statement (500-word limit)
- How has your path to medicine informed your interest in Obstetrics and Gynecology? How will these experiences influence your practice?
- Please directly address your adverse or disadvantaged path in medicine. We encourage you to use this as an opportunity to make our understanding of your story more complete. Refrain from reiterating information that is available in other parts of your application.
- Applications are due May 1st and selected applicants will be notified by June 1st. Please submit your application materials and any questions to the OB/GYN Clerkship Administrator (obclerk@uw.edu).
Cancellations: Students must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator (contact information above). The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology currently does not accept International Visiting Students.
OB GYN 681 – Gynecological Oncology Subspecialty
Offered: S – 4 Weeks
Instructor: Dr. Renata Urban OB/GYN 681 provides a four-week elective student experience in the area of reproductive tract malignancy. The student follows selected patients through primary surgery, recovery, and initial adjuvant treatment, as well as continuing treatment, in both clinic and inpatient settings. The objective is to develop a working understanding of the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the treatment of patients. It is anticipated that you will primarily follow those patients whose surgery you attend. Your experience will be directed by the Gyn Oncology Fellow and Chief Resident, as well as the eight attending physicians.
Objectives:
- The student will understand basic components of the evaluation, counseling, and management of women with gynecologic masses as well as pre-malignant and malignant gynecologic conditions.
- Students will acquire basic surgical skills and be exposed to complex surgical procedures for treatment of gynecologic oncology patients.
- The student will describe adjuvant therapies used in the care of women with reproductive malignancies (i.e., chemotherapy and radiation therapy).
- The student will demonstrate skills in triage of multiple critical patients simultaneously, multi-tasking, working with multi-disciplinary teams in the care of gynecologic oncology patients.
- The student will appreciate the breadth and depth of the specialty of gynecologic oncology.
OB GYN 682 – Antenatal High Risk Obstetrics
Offered: S – 4 Weeks
This four-week rotation is spent on the High-Risk Antenatal OB ward in clinic services. The student will round daily with the residents and attending staff, and is responsible for initial workups, daily laboratory evaluations, and the continuing care of the high-risk antepartum patients. Excellent coordination between the student, the OB chief resident, the antepartum OB resident, and the faculty is required to maintain continuity of patient care. Students are required to sign up for 2 L&D weekend call shifts during this course. The student will arrange weekly conferences with the Antepartum attending and present at least one topic during the rotation.
Objectives:
- The student will understand the effect of common medical diseases on the course of pregnancy and the effect of pregnancy on the course of common medical diseases (i.e. hypertension, diabetes, collagen vascular disease, cardiac disease, asthma, etc.)
- The student will identify multiple causes of preterm birth, be able to evaluate patients with threatened preterm labor, and discuss the treatment options, and counseling that is relevant for patients with this condition.
- The student will demonstrate the ability to manage diabetes in pregnancy.
- The student will demonstrate skills in triage of multiple critical patients simultaneously, multi-tasking, working with multi-disciplinary teams in antepartum care.
- The student will appreciate the breadth and depth of the specialty of perinatal medicine.
Ophthalmology
Education Administrator: Stephanie Otani-Sunamoto
Phone: 206.221.7921
Email: ophthclerk@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
To Apply:
- Starting March 1, 2025, we’ll be accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year with the deadline of April 1, 2025. Offers will be extended April 15, 2025. Due to high demand, we’ll prioritize 2-week rotations and consider 4-week rotations based on availability.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Please complete the institution requirements of the VSLO application and upload all required documents.
- For the department/elective requirements in VSLO, please upload:
- CV/Resume
- Board Scores (Step 1; Step 2 if available)
- Most recent medical school transcript (unofficial accepted)
- A letter of reference from an ophthalmologist at home institution to VSLO No action will be taken on your application until it is complete.
- Upload in the blank document section on VSLO a 100-word statement about why you are interested in rotating at the University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology
- Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
- Placement in an elective in Ophthalmology does not guarantee an interview for the Ophthalmology Residency Program.
Cancellations: Students must withdraw from courses at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Education Administrator.
Diversity Visiting Student Clerkship Program
The UW Department of Ophthalmology is excited to participate in the Diversity Visiting Student Clerkship Program, a funded program designed to give 4th year medical students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to experience the exceptional education in ophthalmology offered by the University of Washington. Students will spend two or four weeks at one or more of the UW ophthalmology services including Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital and/or Puget Sound VA Hospital and care for a variety of patients in our tertiary care centers. Students will also be expected to attend all scheduled medical student and resident teaching sessions, conferences and present at least one case presentation to the other students on the rotation.
Eligibility
The program is open to applicants who are currently enrolled in a US medical school, demonstrate academic excellence, and have overcome significant barriers or traveled a great distance on their way to achieve becoming a physician. Applicants should be strongly motivated to pursue a career in Ophthalmology.
Application
The funded Visiting Clerkship position will be available during the months of June, July, August, or September. Funding includes a stipend of up to $1500 to cover housing and travel costs for either 2 or 4 weeks.
Students must also apply through VSLO and submit a personal statement separately to ophthclerk@uw.edu.
Deadline: April 1
Course # OPHTH 681 – HMC/UW Eye Institute
Offered: Summer, Autumn – 2-4 Weeks
Instructor: Feng
Prerequisites: Completion of basic science curriculum, third- or fourth-year medical student standing. The student will participate in the diagnosis and management of commonly seen eye diseases; sub-specialty clinics will include cornea, retina, neuro-ophthalmology, glaucoma, oculoplastics, and uveitis. Student attends regularly scheduled grand rounds, didactic lectures, conferences in ophthalmic basic and clinical science. Students also gain experience in the diagnosis and treatment of common ocular disorders. Basic examination techniques include tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, and biomicroscopy (slit lamp).
Course # OPHTH 683 – Children’s-Seattle
Offered: Summer, Autumn – 2 Weeks
Instructor: Herlihy
Prerequisites: Contact department prior to applying to obtain permission. Prerequisite of at least one prior ophthalmology rotation. Completion of basic science curriculum, third- or fourth-year medical student standing. The student will examine and observe treatment of children with ocular diseases and will learn to differentiate trivial from potentially blinding disorders.
Course # OPHTH 685 – VAPSHCS
Offered: Summer, Autumn – 2 Weeks
Instructor: Lomazow
Prerequisites: Completion of basic science curriculum, third- or fourth-year medical student standing. Elective must be scheduled no later than 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the clerkship. The student will participate in the diagnosis and treatment of medical and surgical ocular disease. This clerkship includes outpatient examinations, inpatient surgery, as well as retinal and glaucoma consultations. Student learns basic techniques involved in tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, and biomicroscopy of the eye.
Course # OPHTH 695 – Advanced Ophthalmology Clerkship – Harborview Medical Center, 4 West Clinic, Seattle
Offered: Summer, Autumn – 2 Weeks
Instructors: Feng
Prerequisites: Fourth-year medical students. Department/site permission only. Must have previously completed an ophthalmology clerkship.
The student will participate in the diagnosis and management of inpatient and ER ophthalmology consults, working closely with the ophthalmology consult resident and attending on service; Student attends regularly scheduled grand rounds, didactic lectures, conferences in ophthalmic basic and clinical science. Students should be familiar with basic examination techniques such as tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, and biomicroscopy (slit lamp).
Orthopaedics
Clerkship Administrator: TBD
Phone: 206.744.4927
Email: orthomsp@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
To Apply:
- Please contact the Clerkship Administrator for any questions or our current availability.
- Applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date. Please see specific course for additional details.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Space is limited. To increase chances of receiving an elective offer, students should apply for multiple orthp course electives in VSAS.
- Complete the VSAS application and upload all supplemental materials to VSAS. Supplemental materials include: a copy of the student’s CV/Resume, a copy of the student’s USMLE Step 1 Score and completion of our Rotation Dates questionnaire. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete. Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
- Placement in an elective in the Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine does not guarantee an interview for the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. All interviews for our program are a separate process and timeline than visiting students.
Call Expectations for Orthopaedic Clerkships in Seattle: Medical students scheduled between the months of May and October will be expected to take overnight and/or weekend call.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
Course # ORTHP 676 – Pediatric Orthopaedics / Seattle Children's
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Completion of third year required Surgery clerkship, third year medical student standing. This is a full-time, four-week clerkship at Seattle Children’s devoted exclusively to the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal problems of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Comparison of children with fairly straightforward developmental variations to those with extensive, total body, multisystem deformities such as cerebral palsy and spinal bifida is the essence of this rotation. An appreciation of normal variations and natural history of structural deformities in children is stressed. This is particularly useful to students planning a career in pediatrics or family medicine in addition to those interested in orthopedic surgery as a career. An appreciation for timing of orthopaedic procedures in relationship to normal childhood development, and an appreciation of the effects of development and maturation on procedures carried out in childhood are developed. In addition to active participation in the many and varied outpatient clinics, students will participate in workup and care of the inpatients. Attendance at operative procedures is encouraged but not mandatory. Taking call is optional. Attendance at the many weekly didactic teaching sessions is required.
Enrollment: 1 student per 4 week rotation
Course # ORTHP 677 P – Musculoskeletal Trauma / Harborview Medical Center
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Completion of third year required Surgery clerkship, third year medical student standing. Instruction takes place at Harborview Medical Center and involves general orthopaedics but is weighted toward musculoskeletal trauma. It is geared to third- and fourth-year students. Students are assigned to one of the three orthopaedic teams with a one-in-three call schedule. When their team is on call, they will be expected to spend time seeing and treating patients in the emergency room, following them to the ward and possibly to the operating room. In this way, they will learn the basics of treating acute trauma. On the days when they are not on call, they will spend their time primarily in the various clinics where faculty subspecialty interests (hand, hip, spine, foot and knee) are reflected in the patient population present in the clinic. Here the emphasis will be placed on musculoskeletal examination and treatment. They will also attend cast clinics where instruction will be given in casting and splinting techniques. Attending rounds will be made separately each week with the students emphasizing the patients they are following. Presentations on various aspects of trauma care are given regularly.
Enrollment: 6 students max per 4 week rotation
Course # ORTHP 678 P –Oncology / UW Medical Center & Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Completion of third year required Surgery clerkship, third year medical student standing. In-depth experience on musculoskeletal oncology service with primary involvement in initial evaluation, staging, treatment, and postoperative follow-up of patients with various musculoskeletal malignancies. The oncology rotation for medical students provides a basic understanding of the incidence of sarcomas and metastatic adenocarcinomas in adults.
Enrollment: 1 student per 4 week rotation
Course # ORTHP 680 – General Orthopaedic Clerkship / VAMC
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Completion of third year required Surgery clerkship, third year medical student standing.
This is a full-time, four week clerkship at Seattle’s Veterans Administration Hospital. It is structured to provide a basic education in the fundamentals of the musculoskeletal system. Heavy emphasis is placed on the reconstructive alternatives in the treatment of degenerative joint diseases. This must be done in-person. No students are allowed to rotate at the VA without a VA badge. Visiting students must go through a credentialing process at least 12 weeks before their rotation begins (this will depend on our Seattle site and previous student experience at any VA location). Please contact the Administrator at orthomsp@uw.edu
Enrollment: 1 student per 4 week rotation
Course # ORTHP 681 – Sports Medicine Orthopaedic / UW Medical Center & Sports Medicine Center
Clerkship Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Completion of third year required Surgery clerkship, third year medical student standing At the completion of the course, the student will be able to perform and present a history and directed physical exam of patients presenting with sports-related musculoskeletal complaints. Recite a differential diagnosis for shoulder pain in the active patient (with and without a history of injury) and describe the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with post-traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee. List the common treatment recommendations for patient with patellofemoral pain. Describe the expected history and physical findings in a patient with tendonitis, stress fracture, torn meniscus, ACL tear, rotator cuff tear, shoulder dislocation, AC separation and ankle sprain.
Enrollment: 1 student per 4 week rotation
Course # ORTHP 684 P- Spine Surgery / Harborview Medical Center
Clerkship Offered: A, W, Sp, S - 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Completion of third year required Surgery clerkship, third year medical student standing This course is a preceptor-based outpatient, inpatient, emergency and operative orthopaedic care. Students will work with the faculty in the Spine Service which specializes in adult reconstructive spine surgery, with a goal to maintain the highest standards of care in the evaluation and management of all patients with spinal disorders. This goal applies to education and research activities of the Spine Service in addition to providing state-of-the-art direct patient care. You will have an opportunity to participate in each aspect of this mission.
Enrollment: 1 student per 4 week rotation
Course # ORTHP 685 P-Adult Reconstruction Total Joint Service / UW Medical Center - Northwest
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Completion of third year required Surgery clerkship, third year medical student standing Preceptor-based outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and operative orthopaedic care. Students work with faculty in the Total Joint Service which specializes in lower extremity adult reconstructive surgery, including: complex primary hip/knee arthroplasty; less invasive approaches to hip/knee arthroplasty; revision hip/knee arthroplasty; periacetabular and proximal femoral osteotomy; osteotomy about the knee; and hip arthroscope.
Enrollment: 1 student per 4 week rotation
Course # ORTHP 687 P- Shoulder and Elbow / UW Medical Center
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Completion of third year required Surgery clerkship, third year medical student standing Preceptor-based outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and operative orthopaedic care. Work with the faculty in the Shoulder and Elbow Service, which provides comprehensive evaluation and management for a wide range of shoulder and elbow problems, including: arthritis, dislocation or instability, fractures, rotator cuff/tendon tears, joint stiffness, and unsuccessful previous surgery.
Enrollment: 1 student per 4 week rotation
Otolaryngology
Clerkship Administrator: Vanncy Crookes
Phone: 206.543.5662
Email: otoadmin@uw.edu
Overview:
The Otolaryngology Visiting Student program is designed to give medical students who are interested in matching in otolaryngology exposure to our program while providing an immersive educational experience. Students function as members of the surgical team, participating in outpatient clinics, inpatient care, emergency procedures, and the operating room.
Rotations are a mix of inpatient and/or outpatient and may include exposure to laryngology, rhinology & skull base surgery, sleep surgery, facial plastics, otology & neurotology, pediatric, head & neck surgical oncology, and/or comprehensive otolaryngology.
Students function at the intern level under supervision to perform initial assessment, diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative care; evaluation of otolaryngologic emergencies, and outpatient follow-up of discharged patients.
Students may be assigned to one or more Seattle-area sites during the rotation, depending on availability.
Pathology
Clerkship Administrator: Alisa Ulrich-Herrera
Phone: 206.685.1624
Email: pthclerk@uw.edu
Website: Pathology Academic Programs Courses Homepage
Block Calendar:
Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule . You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s). There are no exceptions to these scheduled dates.
To Apply:
- We will accept applications starting March 1. Offers will be extended mid to late May.
- Applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Complete the VSLO application and upload all supplemental materials to VSLO. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete. Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
Cancellation:
You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
PATH 677 P – Neuropathology - Harborview Medical Center
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisite: Third or fourth-year medical students
Contact: pthclerk@uw.edu
Course Director: Rebecca Yoda, MD
Goals: Participation in dissection and study of neuropathology cases. Students will work up cases under senior staff, including dissection, microscopic examination and literature review. Attendance at neuropathology conferences and seminars is expected.
Objectives: By the end of this rotation, students should be able to:
- Have a general understanding of neuropathology practice and mechanisms of neurological diseases.
- Perform gross descriptions and dissect common neuropathologic specimens.
- Develop an appropriate differential diagnosis for common neuropathologic specimens and a diagnostic approach toward determining correct diagnoses.
- Determine when expert consultation is needed for complex cases and to appropriately use these resources.
- Produce comprehensive and accurate pathology reports for neuropathology cases.
- Present a clinical pathologic didactic presentation on a subject relevant to neuropathology practice or research.
PATH 680 P – Diagnostic Pathology Clerkship - UW Medical Center
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisite: Third or fourth-year medical students
Contact: pthclerk@uw.edu
Course Director: Annie Samraj, MBBS
This course is recommended for medical students interested in the Anatomic & Clinical Pathology Residency Program, see also Laboratory Medicine Courses. The Anatomic Pathology Service provides diagnostic care for patients who have a wide range of medical disorders. It uses various methods (e.g., gross observations, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy) to examine specimens removed from living and deceased patients, then integrates the results of examinations with the knowledge of patient problems and basic human biology to better understand disease processes. Students on this rotation are exposed to all facets of our diagnostic methods, and are expected, in conjunction with a staff pathologist, to take some responsibility for the conduct of several autopsy examinations, if available.
Each student will be expected to:
- Add to his/her general knowledge of human biology and understanding of basic disease processes,
- Use the light microscope for recognizing normal tissue structure, recognizing certain structural expressions of disease processes, and appreciating both the values and limitations of these diagnostic methods,
- Weigh and consider the significance of pertinent observations, then transpose the results into practical solutions for specific patient problems,
- Gain experience in preparing thoughtful, accurate, succinct, and timely reports. The rotation is meant to be a fun, as well as an educational, experience.
Diversity Visiting Student Clerkship Program
For more information, please visit our site: https://dlmp.uw.edu/education/diversity-clerkship
PATH 681 P – Diagnostic Pathology Clerkship - Harborview Medical Center
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisite: Third and fourth-year medical students
Contact: pthclerk@uw.edu
Course Director: Maria Tretiakova, MD, PhD
At Harborview Medical Center, students participate in the daily work of the pathology resident, with resident and attending pathologist supervision. A highlight of this multidisciplinary rotation is an emphasis on genitourinary pathology and cytopathology, exposure to neuropathology and forensic pathology, and integrating the knowledge of patient problems, clinical-pathological findings and potential translational research studies to better understand disease processes and treatment. The rotation could be individualized to the student's interests and may include visits to affiliated sites offering additional diagnostic or educational activities. Student schedule: 0800-1700h, Mon-Fri, except holidays. No on-call responsibility.
Enrollment: Visiting students require permission from department. Please contact pthclerk@uw.edu for permission.
PATH 682 P – Diagnostic Pathology Clerkship - Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Offered: A, W, Sp – 4 Weeks
Prerequisite: Third and fourth-year medical students
Contact: pthclerk@uw.edu
Course Director: Oliver Chang, MD
The Anatomic Pathology Service provides diagnostic care for patients who have a wide range of medical disorders. It uses various methods (e.g., gross observations, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy) to examine specimens removed from living and deceased patients, then integrates the results of examinations with the knowledge of patient problems and basic human biology to better understand disease processes. Students on this rotation are exposed to all facets of our diagnostic methods, and are expected, in conjunction with a staff pathologist, to take some responsibility for the conduct of several autopsy examinations, if available.
PATH 683 P – Forensic Pathology Clerkship - King County Medical Examiner's Office
Offered: A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisite: Third and fourth-year medical students
Contact: pthclerk@uw.edu
Course Directors: Varies
The King County Medical Examiner's Office has the responsibility for the investigation and certification of all sudden and unexpected deaths and deaths due to injury which occur in King County. The office is located at Harborview Medical Center and includes four forensic pathologists, a fellow in forensic pathology, a forensic anthropologist, and a staff of trained medical investigators, autopsy and pathology assistants, and administrative support personnel.
The medical student clerk will be able to participate in the activities of the Office to the degree that his/her abilities and interest allow. This may include observation of autopsies, performance (in part or in full) of autopsies, observation of scene investigation, and accompanying the pathologists to court. The autopsy material comprises a broad spectrum of pathology, including natural diseases and injuries of all sorts. All activities will be carried on under close staff supervision. In addition, during the rotation the clerk will be expected to present an informal seminar of his/her own choosing on a topic related to forensic pathology.
Pediatrics
Clerkship Program Manager: Sara Fear
Phone: 206.987.2008
Located: Seattle Children’s – Graduate Medical Education Office, OC.7.830
Email: medical.students@seattlechildrens.org
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s). There are no exceptions to these scheduled dates.
To Apply:
- Complete the VSAS application and upload all supplemental materials (current CV and letter of recommendation) to VSAS. See below for further information about CVs and LORs. No action will be taken on an application until it is complete. Applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
- Availability cannot be given until 6 weeks prior to the rotation start date. Please do not send inquiries about availability.
- Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
- SPACE IS LIMITED. To increase chances of receiving an elective offer, students should apply for and rank multiple electives in VSAS.
- All pediatric elective applicants must provide one letter of recommendation and a current CV. Your application will not be considered without these materials, which must be uploaded directly to VSAS. Letters of recommendation do not have to be from a pediatrician but should be from someone with whom you worked closely in a clinical setting. Letters of recommendation must be signed and on official letterhead.
- Placement in an elective in Pediatrics does not guarantee an interview for the Pediatrics Residency Program.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
Funded fourth year medical student rotations in Pediatrics will be available at Seattle Children's Hospital from August through December for qualified applicants from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in medicine. Funding includes up to $2500 for reimbursement of travel, housing, meals, and application fees. Please visit our website for more information.
Course # 625 – Pediatric Emergency Medicine
4 weeks
Instructor: B. Prince
Prerequisite: Pediatrics, Medicine, Ob/Gyn and Surgery Core Clerkship
Site: Seattle Children’s
Students will gain a better understanding of the types of problems seen in a Pediatric Emergency Department and of the increased complexity when dealing with family units (parents in decision making role for their children) rather than just individual patients. Students are assigned to 15 or 18 eight-hour ED shifts and will prepare one morning presentation on an assigned emergency topic.
Course # 669 – Neonatal Pediatrics Clerkship
4 Weeks
Instructor: K. Upadhyay
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine, Ob/Gyn and Surgery Core Clerkships
Site: University of Washington Medical Center
Course introduces students to diagnosis and management of critically ill newborn infants. Emphasis is placed on developing a rational problem-oriented approach to complex medical problems. Clinical experience will be available in problems relating to acid-base balance, respiratory failure, disorders of bilirubin metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, neonatal sepsis, temperature control, infant nutrition, and delivery room care of the neonate. There are daily attending rounds and formal teaching rounds held two times per week. Other conferences regularly scheduled are: roentgenographic interpretation three times per week; clinical/pathological conference once per week; discharge evaluation with long-term planning, once per week. The student works closely with the house staff and is expected to spend every third night in the hospital. A 2-week experience is acceptable for an introduction to clinical problems; however, a 4-week program is preferable for students wishing to gain more extensive experience and background in this area. At the completion of this course, the student can expect to have 1) developed an appreciation for the problems associated with providing care for this population, 2) extensive opportunity to apply principles in basic physiology and biochemistry to rapidly changing clinical problems, 3) become acquainted with the major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Course # 670 – Pediatric Infectious Diseases
4 Weeks
Instructor: I. Trehan
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Students evaluate both in-house and outpatient consultations; these are discussed at daily rounds. Attendance is expected at the weekly infectious disease conference at Harborview and the bimonthly conference held at Seattle Children’s. Students are encouraged to assume as much responsibility as their training and experience permits.
Course # 671 – Pediatric Endocrinology
4 Weeks
Instructor: A. Roberts
Prerequisite: Pediatrics, Medicine, Ob/Gyn and Surgery Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Students spend most of their time in diabetes and endocrine clinics, Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00. Participation in inpatient rounds and consults will be at the discretion of the attending. There are no night-time or week-end responsibilities. Medical students doing a 4-week rotation will give a short presentation (approximately 15 minutes) on a topic of their choice, usually centering on an interesting patient.
Course # 677 – Pediatric Intensive Care
4 weeks
Instructor: M. Davis
Prerequisite: Pediatrics, Medicine, Ob/Gyn and Surgery Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Students will be expected to manage patients with the supervision of the Pediatric Critical Care attending or fellow. Students will have the opportunity to manage patients with complex multisystem disease and learn key elements of acute resuscitation in the intensive care setting.
Course # 679 – Clinical Problems in Developmental Disabilities
2 or 4 Weeks
Instructor: E. Myers
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Sites: Seattle Children’s and University of Washington Medical Center
Experience in interdisciplinary evaluation of a variety of developmentally disabled children living in the community is offered. Students participate by performing pediatric evaluations, by obtaining neurological dysmorphology, and other consultation, and by observing assessment by nonmedical specialists (e.g., psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, etc.). Different disciplines' contributions to the solution of the problems presented by developmentally disabled children and their families are emphasized with observation of several teams' approach to diagnosis and intervention.
Course # 681 – Medical Genetics
4 weeks
Instructors: A. Beck and E. Shelkowitz
Prerequisite: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Clinical focus on evaluation and management of children with genetic disorders. Student performs pediatric evaluations, obtains appropriate consultations, observes additional professional assessments (e.g. psychological testing), and plans rehabilitation program. Opportunity to provide parent counseling.
Course # 683 – Pediatric Nephrology
4 Weeks
Instructor: J. Symons
Prerequisite: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
A pediatric nephrology clerkship at Seattle Children’s. It is a four-week elective for fourth-year medical students who will see clinical pediatric nephrologic problems under close supervision. They participate in nephrology and transplant rounds, consultation with renal fellows and attendings, and work up patients in Renal Clinics. They also attend a series of seminars throughout the clerkship in which clerks at University-affiliated hospitals participate.
Course # 684 – Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine
4 Weeks
Instructor: A. Dettori
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Study of respiratory disorders, diagnostic techniques and treatments unique to children in the inpatient, intensive care and outpatient settings. Emphasis on applying principles of pulmonary physiology to clinical problems. Students conduct consultations under the supervision of the attending and present a topic of choice. Inpatient rounds and clinics.
Course # 685 – Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
4 Weeks
Instructor: A. Tellinghuisen
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine, Ob/Gyn and Surgery Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Inpatient clerkship provides an introduction to the problems in children with malignant or hematologic disease. Didactic sessions are held four times weekly, in addition to "one-to-one" teaching with the Fellow or Attending Physician. Self-learning programs are available, as well as specific training in the techniques and interpretation of bone marrow aspirations, intravenous chemotherapy, transfusions, and the laboratory techniques of hematological evaluation.
Course # 686 – Pediatric Cardiology
2 or 4 Weeks
Instructor: T. Johnston
Prerequisite: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Clerkship deals with both inpatient and outpatient cardiovascular problems in the pediatric age group. Emphasis will be on acquiring skills in physical diagnosis and electrocardiography. Observation of catheterizations and cardiovascular operations may be arranged at the option of the student. There are weekly cardiac clinics and rounds on inpatients with cardiovascular problems occurring daily.
Course # 687 – Neonatal Pediatrics Clerkship
2 Weeks
Instructor: K. Upadhyay
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: University of Washington Medical Center
Course introduces students to diagnosis and management of critically ill newborn infants. Emphasis is placed on developing a rational problem-oriented approach to complex medical problems. Clinical experience will be available in problems relating to acid-base balance, respiratory failure, disorders of bilirubin metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, neonatal sepsis, temperature control, infant nutrition, and delivery room care of the neonate. There are daily attending rounds and formal teaching rounds held two times per week. Other conferences regularly scheduled are: roentgenographic interpretation three times per week; clinical/pathological conference once per week; discharge evaluation with long-term planning, once per week. The student works closely with the housestaff and is expected to spend every third night in the hospital. A 2-week experience is acceptable for an introduction to clinical problems; however, a 4-week program is preferable for students wishing to gain more extensive experience and background in this area. At the completion of this course, the student can expect to have 1) developed an appreciation for the problems associated with providing care for this population, 2) extensive opportunity to apply principles in basic physiology and biochemistry to rapidly changing clinical problems, 3) become acquainted with the major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Course # 688 – Pediatric Rheumatology
4 weeks
Instructor: K. Hayward
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Clinical elective in pediatric rheumatology. Students will be exposed to a wide range of pediatric rheumatologic diseases and have the opportunity to evaluate new patients, help work up and manage inpatients with complex multisystem disease and learn key elements of evaluation and treatment of childhood rheumatic diseases.
Course # 691 – Advanced Pediatric Clerkship (Sub-Internship)
4 Weeks
Instructor: E. Chung
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine, Ob/Gyn and Surgery Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Ward experience with direct involvement in patient care at Seattle Children’s The student will work under the supervision of residents or attending physicians, having comparable responsibilities for patient workup, diagnosis and care as an intern. Shift schedule: 3 weeks of days and 1 week of nights.
Course # 694 – Adolescent Medicine
4 weeks
Instructor: C. Cuellar
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine, and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s and area clinics
Elective in Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital and area clinics. Students will be expected to manage patients with the supervision of attending physicians. Students will have the opportunity to manage adolescent patients in the outpatient setting and learn key elements of subspecialty care of adolescents.
Course # 695 – Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
2 Weeks
Instructor: G. Roach
Prerequisites: Pediatrics, Medicine, and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Outpatient clerkship provides an introduction to the problems in children with malignant or hematologic disease. Didactic sessions are held four times weekly, in addition to "one-to-one" teaching with the Fellow or Attending Physician. Self-learning programs are available, as well as specific training in the techniques and interpretation of bone marrow aspirations, intravenous chemotherapy, transfusions, and the laboratory techniques of hematological evaluation. Clinics for patients with CNS tumors, musculoskeletal cancers, sickle cell disease and hematology are available.
Course # 696 – Pediatric Endocrinology
2 Weeks
Instructor: A. Roberts
Prerequisite: Pediatrics, Medicine and Ob/Gyn Core Clerkships
Site: Seattle Children’s
Students spend most of their time in diabetes and endocrine clinics, Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00. Participation in inpatient rounds and consults will be at the discretion of the attending. There are no night-time or week-end responsibilities.
Psychiatry
Clerkship Administrator: Margie Trenary
Phone: 206.744.4564
Email: trenam@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s). There are no exceptions to these scheduled dates. If you have any questions about the application process or UW SoM requirements, please contact the Visiting Student Administrator, visitstu@uw.edu
Eligibility:
- You must be a medical student. Qualified medical students interested in any field are welcome to apply for Psychiatry electives. We do not offer “Observerships”, all electives we offer are listed in VSAS.
- Medical graduates are not eligible to apply
- Meet all departmental requirements, supplemental department requirements
- Meet all Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program eligibility requirements
- VSAS applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date
To Apply
Complete the VSAS Application and upload all supplemental materials to VSAS.
Diversity Visiting Scholars Subinternship Application
The University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences offers a funded Diversity Visiting Scholars Subinternship Program designed to give fourth-year medical students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in medicine the opportunity to experience the exceptional education in psychiatry offered by the University of Washington. To apply, complete the VSAS application and the additional documents required by the department.
Applications which do not have all required items included and complete will be treated as incomplete. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete.
Notification and Cancelations
Availability often cannot be determined until 4 weeks prior to the rotation start date.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 4 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
- Visiting students will be contacted about course scheduling in the order that their application was approved.
- Expect a delay between when your application is approved and when you are contacted about scheduling. This may be several weeks.
- If you are offered enrollment, you will have 48 hours to accept or decline the elective(s) offered.
- A housing resource list will be available to students following enrollment.
Absence Policy:
- All Psych electives are M-F only, no weekend or night shifts or call. This means that there is no opportunity to make up missed time.
- No time off is allowed from 2-week rotations, 1 day may be allowed from a 4-week rotation with advance permission from the Clerkship Director (not the course preceptor.)
- Students planning to do residency interviews or wanting time off for any other reason while they are in Seattle should schedule these for before or after their elective.
- Please contact Margie Trenary (trenam@uw.edu) if you have any questions about the absence policy.
UW Psychiatry Residency Training Program: If you are interested in the UW Psychiatry Residency Training Program, you need to apply to it through ERAS and be offered an interview.
Psychiatry electives are independent of the Psychiatry Residency Training Program.
PBSCI 671 P – Clerkship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry HMC
Offered: AWSpS; 4 weeks
Prerequisite: Psychiatry core clerkship
Total Enrollment: 1
Preceptor: Dr. Shaune DeMers
Clerkship Site: Harborview Medical Center
Goals: The goal of the Consultation-Liaison rotation is to provide organized instruction and supervised clinical experience in the evaluation of psychiatric and/or behavioral problems in patients on medical and surgical services, and in effectively consulting with their health care providers regarding their clinical management.
Objectives:
- To recognize and demonstrate the differential diagnosis of the psychiatric conditions most commonly encountered in medical settings (e.g., delirium, dementia, depression, somatoform and factitious disorders, substance abuse and withdrawal.)
- To assess and describe behavioral conditions commonly seen on medical and surgical services (e.g., suicidal and homicidal threats, grief, anxiety, personality problems and pain).
- To evaluate a patient hospitalized because of a suicide attempt or attempted self-harm and to assess risk of self-harm while on medical or surgical services, as well as the level of psychiatric care needed after discharge.
- To adapt psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments for medically ill patients.
- To demonstrate an understanding of legal issues involved in consultation psychiatry, particularly to help direct the treatment approach when a patient’s ability to make needed medical treatment decisions (e.g., competency or decisional capacity) is questioned.
- To help non-psychiatric staff understand and manage psychiatric conditions in their patients.
PBSCI 680 P – Clerkship in Emergency Psychiatry
Offered: AWSpS; 4 weeks
Prerequisite: Psychiatry core clerkship
Total Enrollment: 1 per 4 weeks
Preceptor: Dr. Paul Borghesani
Clerkship Site: Harborview Medical Center
Goals: To provide organized instruction and supervised clinical experience in emergency psychiatry. Emphasis on clinical evaluation, acute management, and treatment planning for individual patients.
Objectives:
- Show in an interview establishment of rapport with acutely disturbed patients.
- Outline elements of dangerousness in a patient who was assessed.
- Outline medical, neurological, and physiological causes for observed psychiatric symptoms.
- Demonstrate why inpatient care is required rather than outpatient (and vice versa) after interview of a patient and review of data base.
- Discuss patient data base and assessment in complete and succinct manner.
PBSCI 688 P – Subinternship in General Psychiatry
Offered: AWSpS when available; 4 weeks
Prerequisite: Permission by preceptor required. Psychiatry core clerkship.
Total Enrollment: 1 per 4 weeks.
Faculty Contact: Dr. Paul Borghesani
Clerkship Site: Harborview Medical Center, Seattle VA Medical Center
Goals: Students will function as interns under the supervision of house staff and attending psychiatrists. Further development of the diagnostic and therapeutic skills will be emphasized. Special areas of interest such as family intervention, substance abuse, psychoses, neuropsychiatry, community psychiatry, administration, research, etc., may be pursued.
Objectives:
- Be able to make assessments of immediate risk for violence and suicide of inpatients and appropriate interventions.
- Be able to outline a thorough differential diagnosis.
- Be able to manage patient care including writing orders, determining appropriate laboratory and other testing.
- Be able to interface with a multidisciplinary team for effective patient care.
- Be able to determine and put into place effective outpatient plans.
- Be able to interface effectively with other treating health professionals.
- Be able to document care and complete discharge summaries that are accurate, coherent, and succinct.
PBSCI 696 P – Advanced Clerkship in Child Psychiatry
Offered: AWSpS; 4 weeks full-time
Prerequisite: Psychiatry core clerkship
Total Enrollment: 1 per 4weeks
Preceptor: Dr. Shannon Simmons
Clerkship Site: Seattle Children’s Hospital
Goals: This clerkship is an introduction to child and adolescent psychiatry for fourth-year medical students who have taken the general psychiatry core clerkship. It provides students an opportunity to participate in evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents in a number of settings, including an acute inpatient psychiatric unit and consultation/liaison service at Seattle Children’s Hospital and outpatient child psychiatry clinic at Lake City. Experiences in outpatient and specialized clinics are also available, with an opportunity to visit other child and adolescent mental health programs, including Child Study and Treatment Center in Tacoma, the children’s wing of Western State Hospital, and Echo Glen, a facility for incarcerated youth. Students will work closely with the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry resident both on the IPU and in the OPD. At the end of the clerkship, the student will be able to assess psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents and to be familiar with a biopsychosocial approach to treatment.
Objectives:
- Student will be able to interview a child or adolescent and his family and formulate a diagnosis, an assessment of need for care and a treatment approach and describe them to the family, the child or adolescent, and other care givers.
- Student will be able to discuss a biopsychosocial formulation of child or adolescent interviews.
Other: Students must be credentialed by Seattle Children's in advance in order to participate in this elective. Failure to provide requested information and/or complete online training will result in cancellation of this elective.
Radiation Oncology
Clerkship Administrator: Caitlin Feeley
Phone: 206.598.8822
Email: caitf42@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with the UW SOM 4 week Clinical Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s). There are no exceptions to these scheduled dates.
To Apply:
- Complete the VSAS application and upload all supplemental materials to VSAS. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements of the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Availability cannot be given until 6 weeks prior to the rotation start date. Please contact the Clerkship Administrator with inquires.
- Applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
- Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of their intent or qualifications.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Clerkship Administrator.
R ONC 695 – Clinical Cancer Management
Total Enrollment: 6
Max Credits: 8
Preceptor: Dr. Ermoian
Prerequisites: Completion of Internal Medicine required third year clerkship, Third or Fourth Year Medical Student standing
We welcome any medical student interested in learning more about the field, regardless of whether s/he has chosen radiation oncology as a career. Rotations are 4-week blocks during which medical students work with our faculty and residents as well as participate in our didactic sessions in a structured manner. For those anticipating applying for radiation oncology residency, it is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the department and get a feel of our residency program.
Participation in the clinical management of patients with cancer, emphasizing a multi-modality approach. Includes clinical assessment, planning of radiation treatment, and follow-up evaluation of patients. Special procedures include three-dimensional treatment planning, implant brachytherapy and intraoperative radiation. Daily teaching conferences with faculty and residents. At the end of the rotation each student is expected to do a presentation at one of the didactic sessions.
Urology
Clerkship Administrator: Amy Say
Phone: 206.221.1509
E-mail: uroclerk@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
To Apply to UROL 685 Sub Urology Visiting Student Sub-Internship Program (8 credits):
Medical students who would like to be considered for the University of Washington Urology sub-internship are required to submit the following prior to submitting the UW VSLO application:
- CV
- Personal statement
- Application Form
- COMLEX/USMLE Step 1 (Pass/Fail) Score:
- Clinical rotations and grades
- Comments about the grading system (if any)
Please submit all application materials by February 21, 2025 to the Clerkship Administrator (uroclerk@uw.edu) with the subject line Urology Sub-Internship Application. You will receive confirmation of your application submission within 3 business days and please contact us at uroclerk@uw.edu if you do not.
If you are selected and approved by the department to do a rotation as a visiting student, you will be instructed to submit the UW VSLO application.
Medical students interested in the urology sub-internship at the University of Washington should contact the Clerkship Administrator: uroclerk@uw.edu
For more information, please visit the Urology Visiting Student website -
https://urology.uw.edu/education/medical-students/sub-internships
For information on UW Urology Visiting Sub-I Scholarship, please visit:
https://urology.uw.edu/education/medical-students/diversity-sub-internship
Radiology
Rehabilitation Medicine
Program Coordinator: Jong Kim
Phone: 206.616.6345
Email: rehabmeded@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s).
To Apply:
- Applications must be received at least 12 weeks (for REHAB 687 and REHAB 690) prior or 21 weeks (for REHAB 688 and REHAB 689) prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements for the Visiting Student Clinical Elective Program.
- Complete the VSLO application, including the following supplementary materials:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- COMLEX or USMLE Scores
- A statement of interest outlining your interest in this clerkship opportunity and describing what you would like to accomplish while you are here, your experience in PM&R thus far, and your future aspiration in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Cancellations: You must withdraw at least 6 weeks before your starting date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancellations and changes must be made in writing to the Program Coordinator.
REHAB 687 – Rehabilitation Medicine Clerkship – Harborview Medical Center
Length: 4 Weeks
Clerkship Directors: Dr. Lyndsey Booker and Dr. Sarah Smith
Prerequisites: Fourth year medical student standing
Clerkship Site: Harborview Medical Center (Seattle, WA)
Goals and Objectives
Course Description:
Four-week clerkship at a Level-1 Trauma and Comprehensive Stroke Center, intended for those interested in exploring a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Focuses on neuro-rehabilitation and general rehabilitation. Recommended for those wishing to gain more experience working with patients with disabilities. Students primarily work on the inpatient rehabilitation unit. Some exposure to outpatient general rehabilitation and neuro-rehabilitation clinics.
REHAB 688 – Rehabilitation Medicine Clerkship – Rehab Care Services – VA Puget Sound
Length: 4 weeks
Clerkship Directors: Dr. Lyndsey Booker and Dr. Sarah Smith
Prerequisites: Fourth year medical student standing
Clerkship Site: VA Puget Sound, Rehab Care Services (Seattle, WA)
Goals and Objectives
Course Description: Four-week clerkship intended for those interested in exploring a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Focuses on providing medical and rehabilitative care to inpatients with a variety of diagnoses and functional limitations including, but not limited to, stroke, amputation, multiple sclerosis and motor neuron disease. Structured clinical experience on a general inpatient rehabilitation unit. Opportunities to participate at a variety of outpatient rehabilitation clinics.
REHAB 689 – Rehabilitation Medicine Clerkship - Spinal Cord Injury – VA Puget Sound
Length: 4 weeks
Clerkship Directors: Dr. Lyndsey Booker and Dr. Sarah Smith
Prerequisites: Fourth year medical student standing
Clerkship Site: VA Puget Sound, Spinal Cord Injury (Seattle, WA)
Goals and Objectives
Course Description: Four-week clerkship intended for those interested in exploring a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Introduction to diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation of patients with spinal-cord injuries. Interaction with rehabilitation team, psychiatrists, and subspecialists in urology, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery. Performance at subintern level expected.
REHAB 690 – Rehabilitation Medicine Clerkship – UW Medical Center
Length: 4 weeks
Clerkship Directors: Dr. Lyndsey Booker and Dr. Sarah Smith
Prerequisites: Fourth year medical student standing
Clerkship Site: UW Medical Center – Montlake (Seattle, WA)
Goals and Objectives
Course Description: Four-week clerkship intended for those interested in exploring a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Focuses on inpatient PM&R management of patients with disabilities and functional impairments due to disorders such as acquired brain injury, CNS disorders, spinal cord injury, and complex medical conditions.
Surgery
Clerkship Administrator: DoS Education Team
Email: surgstus@uw.edu
Block Calendar: Your clerkship dates must correspond with our Clinical Elective Schedule. You must start at the beginning of the block(s) and finish at the end of the block(s). The Department of Surgery (DoS) will not accommodate a shift in start and/or end times that differ from the rotation block schedule in VSLO.
Prerequisites for all Surgery Elective Courses:
- Fourth year medical student standing and completion of required Surgery clerkship
- Students must have passed Step 1 or COMLEX-USA Level 1
To Apply:
- Complete the online VSLO application. No action will be taken on your application until it is complete. Departments may not "pre-enroll" or hold spaces for potential visiting students, regardless of intent or qualifications.
Please Note:
* Applications must be approved at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the requested clerkship date.
* Course offers are not guaranteed until offered through VSLO
* Please only apply for courses and rotation blocks dates you intend to accept if offered.
* Rotation spots are filled by the UW medical students first; any open spots should be available to visiting students.
* If you accept a course during residency recruitment please note the Department of Surgery will only approve a total of 2 days off during your 4-week rotation block.
* In accordance with federal law all persons having access to patient related material must complete a formal HIPAA training module. Once you have been accepted to the UW, you will be contacted with the details of this training.
* Placement in an elective in the Dept. of Surgery does not guarantee an interview for the Surgery Residency Program. All interviews for our programs are a separate process and timeline than visiting rotations.
Cancelations: You must withdraw no less than 6 weeks prior to the rotation start date. Fees are non-refundable. All cancelations and changes must be made in writing via email to the Surgery Clerkship Administrator
Course # Surg 676 - Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Elective
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
Students will learn about the technical and physiological aspects of cardiopulmonary treatments. The object of this course is for students to learn about the surgical management of congenital heart disease primarily at Seattle Children's Hospital. Instruction will include attending preoperative clinic daily with faculty surgeons where they will examine patients with congenital heart disease and participate in parental teaching and the surgical consent process. By the end of the rotation students should understand the pathophysiologic classification of common congenital heart defects, the indications and timing of surgery, gain skills in interpreting echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, and other imaging data used to plan surgery for congenital heart disease, the basic components and physiology of the heart-lung machine, basic concepts in the ICU management of patients after congenital cardiac surgery and basic conduct of cardiac surgery in pediatric patients. This rotation provides a unique opportunity for one-on-one interaction between the students and surgical faculty. Students may have the opportunity to participate in donor organ procurement for heart transplantation as well.
Course # SURG 682 – Clinical Burn Care Sub-Internship
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
Students will gain exposure to patients with thermal injury and be involved in their overall care from admission through reconstruction. Students will participate in the management of the metabolic and critical care issues encountered by severely ill patients, actively participate in surgical procedures: including grafting procedures and treatment of major complicated wounds, and develop critical care techniques: including subclavian line insertion, pulmonary management, Swan-Ganz catheters and cardiac output, etc. As a subintern, the student will participate fully in the care of all burn patients and will be assigned specific patients as they are admitted during their rotation. They will be closely supervised, but will have major responsibility in their day-to-day care and participate in all decision making on their patients. Formal rounds are held twice weekly with a full complement of nursing staff, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social service, rehabilitation medicine and other interested parties.
Course # SURG 683 – Pediatric Surgery Elective
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
Students participating in the elective clerkship of pediatric surgery will be based primarily at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center. Instruction will stress surgical conditions peculiar to the particular age group. There will be an obviously preponderance of various congenital and neoplastic conditions which are amenable to surgical treatment. It is desirable that students who plan to take this elective prepare themselves by acquiring a reasonable background of knowledge in human embryology and genetics.
Course # SURG 685 – Cardiothoracic Surgery Sub-Internship
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
The objective of this course is to permit the student to further develop a knowledge of cardiothoracic disease and to enhance their ability to manage comprehensively the problems encountered in cardiac and thoracic surgery patients. The student will serve as a subintern at University Hospital, functioning at the intern level under close supervision of the staff and house staff. The student will participate in patient care (including diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative care), will be exposed to a wide variety of both cardiac and thoracic disease entities, and will participate in both open heart and thoracic procedures in the operating room. This course will provide a chance for the student to use clinical skills in dealing with the medical as well as surgical problems of the patient with heart disease, and will permit the student to assume added responsibility in preparation for internship. On this rotation students are able to rotate on either the cardiac or thoracic services for the duration of their rotation.
Course # SURG 686 – Plastic Surgery Sub-Internship
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
Students will discuss the workup and management of facial trauma, burns, cleft lip and cleft palate, head and neck cancer, skin tumors, and surgical problems of the hand. Students will demonstrate the ability to perform a focused history and physical examination emphasizing the skin and soft tissues, discuss fundamental techniques of plastic surgery, including the use of skin grafts, pedicled and free flaps, microvascular techniques, and management of complex wounds. In the operating room, students will demonstrate and sharpen skills in basic surgical techniques such as knot-tying, suturing, and limited dissection. At the completion of the clerkship experience, students should be able to identify conditions that warrant referral to a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.Students in SURG 686 will rotate at Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center, and Seattle Children's Hospital during their 4 week rotation.
Course # SURG 687 – Transplantation Surgery Sub-Internship
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
Students will identify the conditions and factors for which a solid organ transplant is indicated, as well as those factors which may make a patient ineligible for transplant. Students will demonstrate the ability to perform a focused history and physical examination in the patient with organ failure, as well as the post-transplant patient; discuss issues in immunology and operative surgical anatomy appropriate to transplantation patients, in particular the principles of immune suppression and the factors involved in transplant rejection; outline management plans for transplantation patients including ICU care through the complex management of the patient with end-stage organ failure and outline the workup and management for a patient with suspected or confirmed transplant graft rejection. In the operating room and/or clinic, Students will demonstrate and sharpen skills in basic surgical techniques such as knot-tying, suturing, and limited dissection.
Course # SURG 688 (UW Medical Center) # SURG 664 (VAMC) – General Surgery Sub-Internship
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
Students will expand knowledge of surgical disease and enhance their ability to comprehensively manage the problems encountered in surgical patients. Students will participate in patient care (emphasizing diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative care), manage surgical emergencies, outpatient follow-up of discharged patients, and develop polished, clinical skills in dealing with medical and surgical problems.
Course # SURG 691 (HMC) # SURG 661 (VAMC)– Surgical Intensive Care Unit Sub-Internship
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
Students will participate in the management of critically ill patients under the close supervision of the attending faculty, critical care fellows and house staff and participate in teaching rounds twice daily. Course objectives include: recognize and discuss the metabolic and critical care issues encountered by severely ill patients, and develop management plans for these conditions; Craft a comprehensive admission note and daily progress note for a critically ill patient, detailing a problem-based assessment and plan for multisystem illness; Describe management of the ventilated patient, including ventilator modes, weaning strategies, and indications for tracheostomy placement; Discuss the evaluation and management of hypovolemic, septic, and cardiogenic shock; Recognize the indications for surgical intervention in the critically ill or trauma patient; Perform technical procedures such as arterial line placement, central line insertion, bronchoalveolar lavage, bedside ultrasound and cardiac output assessment, etc. This experience should prove invaluable to anyone considering a career in either surgery or critical care.
Course # SURG 695 – Vascular Surgery Sub-Internship
Offered A, W, Sp, S – 4 Weeks
Prerequisites: Surgery third year core clerkship, fourth year medical student standing
The goal of the course is to permit the student to experience a wide variety of vascular surgical problems and cases at the level of a senior medical student. Harborview is the only Level I Trauma Center in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it acts as a major referral center for the states of Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. The student will be able to see and participate in a wide variety of cases from all these regions as well as from local community hospitals. Students will actively evaluate emergency room patients and attend rounds twice daily.