University of Washington School of Medicine Program

The goal of the University of Washington (UW) Colorectal Surgery Fellowship Program is to provide high-quality education and training in the field of colon and rectal surgery. The UW Medical Center, the primary teaching site for the fellowship, is ranked among the nation’s foremost tertiary care referral centers and an academic healthcare system. It delivers exceptional, multidisciplinary care to a vast array of patients from the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) region as well as from around the globe.1

The UW Colorectal Faculty includes six fellowship-trained and board-certified colorectal surgeons who operate across three sites of practice: UW Medical Center-Montlake, UW Medical Center-Northwest, and Valley Medical Center. This diverse faculty setup allows fellows to rotate with all six surgeons across these sites, providing a broad exposure to colorectal surgery in terms of diagnosis, treatment complexity, patient diversity, and different practice environments.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The UW Department of Surgery emphasizes building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive culture. The Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program reviews all applications without bias to ensure a diverse applicant pool, and it offers a holistic application review process modeled after the general surgery residency program’s established diversity, equity, and inclusion components. Interviewers are trained to minimize bias, and gender-neutral language is utilized in all recruitment materials.1

Program Goals and Objectives

The overarching mission is to cultivate well-rounded surgeons equipped with clinical and technical competencies to operate independently across multiple practice settings. This involves rotations encompassing various surgical environments, including community-based and academic tertiary care referral centers. The diverse practice sites enhance the fellow's ability to manage care for patients from different socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, thereby addressing healthcare disparities.1

Clinical Rotation Experience

1. UW Medical Center-Montlake

This facility serves as a traditional tertiary care academic medical center. Here, fellows are exposed to complex and multidisciplinary cases that often feature a wide-ranging pathology.1

2. UW Medical Center-Northwest

This site offers an academic-affiliated community model, allowing fellows to engage in standard colorectal surgery as well as specialized pelvic floor testing and endoscopy.1

3. Valley Medical Center

The Valley Medical Center rotation provides unique exposure to a private practice model often not encountered in academic training programs, allowing fellows to practice in a different context compared to major urban teaching hospitals.1

Application Process

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates for the fellowship must have completed an ACGME-accredited General Surgery residency or possess similar qualifications. Additional requirements include certification by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) or the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, or the completion of the educational prerequisites for taking the ABS or AOBS qualifying examinations.1

Visa Sponsorship

The program adheres to UW GME visa policy and will consider candidates needing J-1 or H-1B visa sponsorship.1

Application Materials

The application process utilizes the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and necessitates three letters of recommendation, USMLE or COMLEX transcripts, and an ECFMG Status Report. Applications for the fellowship program commencing in the 2025-2026 academic year will open in July 2024.1

Living in Seattle

Fellows at the University of Washington enjoy various benefits, including a comprehensive health benefits package and a vacation allowance of one month. Additionally, fellows are granted $2,000 for professional development, including attending conferences.1

Seattle offers ideal living conditions with vibrant neighborhoods that facilitate walking or biking to major training facilities. This city is well-known for its exceptional public transportation and numerous outdoor activities available in its natural surroundings.1

Salary and Benefits

The University of Washington provides a competitive compensation package for fellows, which includes a wide-ranging selection of medical and dental insurance options, retirement plans, and life insurance.1