MultiCare Health System (East Pierce) Program

East Pierce Family Medicine (EPFM) serves as a prominent community-based medical education training program located within the MultiCare Health System. EPFM is dedicated to training full-spectrum family medicine physicians and has received Osteopathic Recognition from the ACGME, allowing residents to be educated in both allopathic and osteopathic principles. This enriching training environment equips residents with the essential skills necessary to deliver high-quality primary care in various settings, ensuring that graduates emerge as well-rounded, compassionate physicians who advocate for the health and wellness of their communities.

The program's mission emphasizes the development of resilient physicians capable of advocating for community wellness. The training emphasizes a strong foundation in both clinical skills and community engagement, highlighting a commitment to cultivating physicians who will positively impact their local populations.

Curriculum and Rotations

EPFM's curriculum integrates a comprehensive approach to family medicine training, based in a Patient-Centered Medical Home model. Residents engage in extensive clinical rotations that include inpatient medicine, obstetrics, emergency medicine, and surgery, with a structured schedule that spans three years. During this residency, participants learn to perform a range of procedures such as circumcision, colposcopy, and joint injections, which prepares them for various aspects of family practice in diverse settings.

Rotations primarily take place at Good Samaritan Hospital, where residents benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and access to a range of medical resources. The hospital offers a collaborative environment where trainees can develop their clinical competencies while being guided by experienced faculty.

Clinical Training Sites and Facilities

EPFM operates out of a renovated clinic that includes specialized rooms for obstetrical ultrasound, bariatric patients, and osteopathic manipulation. The clinic serves a diverse patient population and is conveniently located near laboratory and pharmacy services. With 21 exam rooms available, the clinic can accommodate a wide range of patient care activities, supporting thorough training for family medicine residents.

Good Samaritan Hospital functions as the primary inpatient training site for residents, providing a well-equipped environment for learning both clinical and procedural skills. The facility also includes dedicated workspaces and a doctor’s lounge to foster a supportive atmosphere for residents.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

EPFM is profoundly committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for both residents and the community. The program includes a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) council, which works to advance education on diversity and health equity. This initiative exemplifies EPFM's mission to train physicians who practice with empathy and understanding of the multifactorial challenges faced by various communities.

Salary, Benefits, and Support Services

The residency offers competitive salaries and benefits, ensuring that residents feel valued and supported throughout their training. The salary structure for residents is as follows: R-1: $63,856, R-2: $66,106, and R-3: $68,577. In addition, residents are entitled to three weeks of paid vacation annually, 12 sick days, and provisions for continuing medical education (CME), including financial support for necessary certifications.

Residents also benefit from various accommodations, including meal stipends while on-call, provided white lab coats, and professional liability insurance. Importantly, housing is the responsibility of residents, but they receive access to sleep rooms when required.

Application Process and Competitiveness

Applying to EPFM requires a comprehensive application via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Candidates are expected to demonstrate a solid academic background and strong commitment to family medicine. The selection criteria include three letters of reference, a personal statement, and passing USMLE/COMLEX scores—applicants are allowed only one failure of these exams.

EPFM is recognized as a highly competitive program, welcoming applications from both international medical graduates (IMGs) and osteopathic physicians (DOs). However, it is noteworthy that the program does not sponsor visas, which may affect non-U.S. citizen applicants.

Unique Aspects of the Program

EPFM’s unique blend of clinical training, commitment to community health, and focus on diversity and inclusion sets it apart as an exemplary residency program in family medicine. The sense of camaraderie among faculty and residents enhances the training experience, promoting collaboration and continuous personal and professional development.

Alongside rigorous clinical training, residents engage with their communities through outreach and advocacy activities, reinforcing the program's mission to advocate for health equity and the overall wellness of the populations they serve.