St Peter Hospital (Olympia) Program

The Providence St. Peter Family Medicine Residency Program offers an unopposed residency experience in a community-based hospital environment. This program provides comprehensive training in full-scope family medicine, recognized as a patient-centered medical home (PCMH). With over three decades of experience, the program has a strong focus on preparing residents for diverse roles in family medicine, enhanced by access to multidisciplinary faculty members, including behaviorists, pharmacists, and physical therapists.1

One of the distinctive features of the program is its commitment to osteopathic principles, as it was the first family medicine residency in Washington state to achieve Osteopathic recognition. This recognition allows DO residents to integrate osteopathic treatment methodologies into their training and continuity clinic experiences.1

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is carefully structured to foster a progressive learning experience throughout the three years of residency. Residents will begin their training by focusing on foundational inpatient experiences such as obstetrics (OB), pediatrics, and internal medicine in their first year. Each intern will also have the opportunity to engage in a full day of clinic every week, thanks to the innovative Clinic First Curriculum.1

In the second year, the residency includes a two-week block curriculum to enhance continuity with patients, building on experiences from the first year while still providing important inpatient rotations. As residents transition into the third year, they dive deeply into a longitudinal curriculum with opportunities for electives and specialty clinics.1

Rotations and Specialty Clinics

The rotations are organized primarily in two-week blocks, significantly favored by residents for workload management. Each year’s schedule is meticulously designed to transition residents towards increasingly autonomous practice. For example:

• First Year: Focused on inpatient duties with a clear distinction from outpatient responsibilities, allowing residents to concentrate on one area at a time.
• Second Year: Increased clinic presence to allow for continuity with resident patient panels while still maintaining community-based experiences.
• Third Year: The clinic-first approach culminates, with a dedicated year that mirrors a practicing family physician's schedule, complete with 12 weeks of elective rotations.

Specialty clinics such as Procedure Clinic, Gender Affirming Care, Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, and others provide residents with diverse exposure and skill development.3

Workshops and Didactics

Residents benefit from weekly workshops covering essential skills related to OB, dermatology, POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound), and lifestyle medicine, which are scheduled every Wednesday afternoon.4

Research & Scholarly Activity

Providence St. Peter Family Medicine encourages residents to engage in scholarly activities and quality improvement projects throughout the residency. The supportive environment, along with mentorship from faculty, empowers residents to explore their interests and contribute to advancements in the field.5

Community Service & Wellness

Community service forms a vital component of the residency experience at Providence St. Peter. Residents participate in significant community outreach initiatives, addressing health disparities and serving marginalized populations. The program is recognized for its wellness initiatives, which include a resident wellness committee and various activities aimed at fostering a balanced lifestyle throughout residency.6

Application Requirements

The program accepts seven residents annually, requiring submissions exclusively through the ERAS system. Key eligibility requirements include:

• Completion of a family medicine rotation of at least 8 weeks with 6 weeks in a U.S.-based family medicine office.
• Submission of two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a family medicine physician.
• Passing scores on the USMLE or COMLEX within two attempts for all levels.
• International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must possess an active, unrestricted ECFMG certificate.
• No requirement for a minimum exam score, but all scores must be obtained within two attempts.7

Visa Sponsorship

The program accepts ECFMG-sponsored visas for international medical graduates but does not sponsor J1 or H1B visas directly. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States by the starting date of their training year.8

Competitiveness & Inclusivity

Providence St. Peter Family Medicine Residency is regarded as a competitive program. It is noted for being friendly towards DO students and international medical graduates, emphasizing a holistic review process and valuing diverse experiences among applicants.9