Spokane Teaching Health Center/Regional Center for Border Health Program

Family Medicine Residency Spokane is a three-year ACGME-accredited program located in Spokane, Washington, designed to develop future family medicine physicians who are compassionate, resourceful, and skilled in providing comprehensive care to diverse communities. The program emphasizes a patient-centered approach, fostering an environment that encourages the personal and professional growth of residents while ensuring high-quality care to underserved urban and rural populations.

Curriculum Overview

The Family Medicine Residency Spokane aims to provide a broad and robust training experience, combining clinical practice with academic learning. The curriculum includes diverse rotations across various specialties and extensive procedural training. The first year (R1) starts with an introduction to family medicine and includes rotations in outpatient pediatrics, gynecology, obstetrics, and internal medicine. The second year (R2) focuses on more specialized outpatient clinics like cardiology and surgery.

In the third year (R3), residents benefit from further electives and gain deeper experience in family medicine practice. Notably, the residents can complete extensive obstetric training, gaining hands-on experience with deliveries and surgical procedures in the OB Track.

Resident Rotations

Throughout the residency, residents rotate through essential services, including emergency medicine, hospital medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and surgery. Key rotations also include outpatient clinics, enabling residents to establish continuity of care with their patients. The integration of a full-spectrum of medical training allows residents to tailor their education based on their interests and career goals.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The Family Medicine Residency Spokane features a Spokane Training Track and a Rural Training Track. The Spokane Training Track provides residents with access to urban healthcare experiences, including a strong academic presence through partnerships with local medical schools. In contrast, the Rural Training Track allows residents to immerse themselves in community healthcare, offering insights about rural practice nuances. This track addresses the critical need for physicians trained to handle unique challenges in underserved areas.

Research Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to engage in research projects that align with their interests, including population health and advanced clinical practices. Collaborative opportunities exist with the University of Washington's WWAMI network, facilitating access to extensive medical resources and research mentorship.4

Training Sites and Facilities

Residency training occurs at several key sites, primarily at the Spokane Teaching Health Clinic (STHC) and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. The STHC is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to family medicine, featuring over 56 exam rooms equipped for comprehensive care, including counseling and occupational therapy services. The nearby Sacred Heart Medical Center is the largest tertiary hospital in the Northwest and offers residents exposure to a variety of inpatient settings and advanced surgical procedures.

Interprofessional Collaboration

Remarkably, the program promotes collaboration through shared facilities with other residency programs, such as internal medicine and psychiatry. This synergy not only enhances the educational experience but also fosters teamwork in patient care, preparing residents for real-world interdisciplinary medical practices.6

Application and Selection Process

To apply to the Family Medicine Residency Spokane, candidates must submit a completed ERAS application including a personal statement, three letters of recommendation (one from a family physician), and proof of USMLE or COMLEX exam scores—all with a maximum of one failure attempt for Steps 1 and 2. Candidates must have graduated or trained within at least two years prior to application, and those who are non-US medical graduates must possess a valid ECFMG certificate. It is crucial to note that the program does not sponsor any visa types such as J-1 or H-1B visas, making it less accessible for international candidates.

Competitiveness

The program is considered highly competitive as it aims to attract the best candidates who align with its mission of delivering high-quality healthcare. It welcomes US medical students (MD or DO) and graduates from international medical schools, but given the lack of visa sponsorship, the program typically favors US citizens or permanent residents in the selection process. Candidates are advised to present strong academic records alongside their clinical experiences to increase their chances of acceptance.

Visa Support

As mentioned, the Family Medicine Residency Spokane does not provide any visa sponsorship options. This limitation may affect international medical graduates wishing to apply to the program, placing a stronger emphasis on US citizens or permanent residents as ideal candidates.

Fellowship Opportunities

The Family Medicine Residency Spokane also offers fellowship opportunities such as the Obstetrics Fellowship and the Sports Medicine Fellowship. These fellowships provide additional focused training for family medicine physicians looking to specialize further. They include clinical experiences, teaching responsibilities, and opportunities to engage in significant research projects.

Alumni Success

Graduates from the program reflect positively on their training, citing high levels of preparedness for their careers in family medicine. Many alumni find their niche in serving underserved populations or pursuing additional fellowship training.