Diversity, Advocacy, and Leadership

We value every person, inclusive of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual practice, geography, ability, medical condition, or age.

Diversity

At Central Washington Family Medicine Residency, we acknowledge that we work in a system of medicine and medical education that perpetuates implicit and explicit bias and barriers, and has condoned institutionalized racism.

We are committed to dismantling institutionalized racism and addressing these disparities through: acknowledging their presence; developing an equity curriculum; increasing advocacy within our residency, community, and at a national level by elevating voices of marginalized communities; and training patient-centered, culturally sensitive, compassionate physicians to provide quality care to all diverse peoples and communities, in Central Washington and beyond.

By ranking our program, you acknowledge and accept that you will be trained and expected to become proficient in the following procedures:

  • Providing physical exams (male and female/transgender) including foot, breast, genitourinary and rectal exams.
  • Educate patients about and prescribe birth control.
  • Educate and administer vaccinations for all ages-including Covid.
  • Provide care regardless of race/ethnicity, religion, gender identity, socioeconomic status and culture.

Sponsoring Institution’s leadership, and our residency program, are committed to serving our diverse community! As a result the residency program has begun a faculty education series on Healthcare Disparities and Race.

Our book club is currently discussing “So You Want To Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluoand. At today’s faculty meeting we viewed the Documentary “Unnatural Causes-Is inequality making us sick?” a seven-part documentary series aired on PBS in 2008, that explores racial and socioeconomic inequalities in health.

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Advocacy

Advocacy is essential to the future of family medicine and is an important aspect of residency education and training. At CWFMR, residents have the opportunity to participate in statewide advocacy at our capital in Olympia, WA. Residents participate in at least one of the 3 Lobby Days sponsored by the Washington Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP), Washington State Medical Association (WSMA), and Washington Osteopathic Medical Association (WOMA) during their time in the program.

CWFMR is a strong supporter of resident involvement in Family Medicine advocacy and leadership. Washington’s AFP is a robust organization and includes a resident liaison from CWFMR. In addition, residents are encouraged to attend the WAFP annual Students and Residents retreat, held in conjunction with Family Medicine Advocacy Day in Olympia each Jan/Feb. This event is an opportunity for residents to pay it forward with students and residents from across the state.  The South-Central Chapter of the WAFP also holds a summer social where interested residents connect with local family physicians.

Add Your Voice to Support Patients and Family Medicine in Olympia

WAFP invites you to participate in Family Medicine Advocacy Day (FMAD) at the Capitol in Olympia. Held annually during the first part of the legislative session, members spend the day at the Capitol interacting with legislators, agency heads and the governor’s staff about key issues for primary care.

Attendees also receive advocacy skill-building tips from policy development experts and are briefed on Academy priorities and pending legislation. We encourage all members to participate! Advance registration is required.

The event typically begins at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m. The morning is spent in training and briefings, and after a working lunch discussing current Academy priorities and member questions, the afternoon is spent meeting with legislators and agency staff. Legislative appointments will be scheduled between 1:30 and 5 p.m., so participants should keep this time available.

Leadership

Residents are invited to participate in the WSMA’s very robust resident and fellow section, bringing their ideas to the house of delegates at the WSMA annual meeting.  Additionally, there are opportunities for resident members to serve on the Board of the Yakima County Medical Society (YCMS). Past resident trustees helped to launch the YCMS mentorship program.  In summary, there are abundant opportunities for residents to explore advocacy and leadership at our program.