Central Washington Family Medicine Residency Program

Central Washington Family Medicine Residency Program
1806 West Lincoln Ave
Yakima, WA 98902
509-452-4520
pjones@cwfm.fammed.washington.edu

Our residency is in an area with a 48 percent Latino population. We offer an elective for intensive Spanish immersion coupled with clinical experience in Mexico. As many of our patients come from Mexico and get some of their care in both countries, the exposure to the Mexican health system is very useful; residents also get to use their Spanish immediately in clinical settings. Residents are encouraged to arrange other international electives as well. There are numerous opportunities for short-term mission trips and trips with community organizations or local physicians.

Location(s) of program: Our residency is in Yakima, WA. The Mexico program is centered in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Faculty work regularly in Central America. Recent community trips have included Central America and the Dominican Republic.

Description of field experience: The Mexico rotation consists of language instruction in the mornings and clinical experience in the afternoon, usually in a hospital or emergency room. Rotations can be tailored to the resident's interests, including working in a birthing hospital and in outpatient settings. Short-term trips are often health brigades, though have included participation in teaching and research.

Description of didactics: Within the didactics program, presentations are regularly given on international health topics. The rotation in Mexico has a formal Spanish curriculum, as well as sessions on the Mexican health system and Mexican culture.

Cost to individual resident: The residents have funds allocated for CME, which they may use for rotations abroad. They are paid salary while on these rotations and are responsible for the remainder of the costs. Faculty have assisted motivated residents to raise funds to enable them.

Number of residents who have participated in the last two years: 7

Description of faculty involvement: Faculty are involved in several ongoing international projects, including training primary health care workers in a church-based project in Honduras, and the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) program. A faculty member has visited the Mexico site and acts as ongoing liaison.

Does the program accept medical students for trips? Yes

Does the program accept residents from outside the program for trips? Yes

Approximate time of year/duration of trips: Any medical student or resident can go to the Mexico site any month of the year for whatever length of time they have available. Short-term trips are often in March, July and November, as well as at other times.

Who to contact if interested in applying:
Portia Jones MD, MPH
Faculty member
pjones@cwfm.fammed.washington.edu
509-574-6142