Counseling
If you have an urgent issue please go to the emergency department or call 911.
All of the medical student counselors are licensed, mental health professionals who are experienced in providing psychotherapy and counseling to medical students. In Seattle, Dr. Richard Veith, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, provides psychiatric consultation to the counselors when needed. To protect student privacy and confidentiality, student names or identifying information are never utilized during these consultations.
The Counseling Service on the Seattle campus is located in the AA suite of offices on the first floor of UW Medical Center. Take the BB elevators to the first floor; turn toward "Lab Services"; turn left at the hallway and immediately turn left again into the AA suite. Signs will direct you to each of the counselor's offices. Appointments can be made by contacting the counselor of your choice in person, by phone or by email.
Director, Medical Student Counseling and Wellness Services:
Joanne Estacio-Deckard, LICSW
AA-103E, 206.616.3024
joanneed@uw.edu
Cliff Kelly, MS, MDiv, LMHC
AA-111G, 206.616.3022
ckelly70@uw.edu
General clerkship concerns
For general concerns about your clerkship please contact your clerkship administrator or the Visiting Student Program Office visitstu@uw.edu or 206-543-5560.
Mistreatment reporting processes
If students have an urgent concern about the learning environment that requires an immediate response, e.g. a potentially impaired physician, physical or sexual assault, or other egregious situation in the learning environment, they should contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairs directly at 206.685.9076.
Students may choose to discuss their concerns with any one or more of the following to determine the most appropriate course of action:
- Counselors
- Ombud
- UCIRO staff
- Title IX officer
- Center for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion staff
- Honor Council members
- Other staff or faculty they are working with
In order to submit a formal concern, students have the following options:
- Contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairs directly at 206.685.9076 or via email (maestas@uw.edu).
- Detail the concern in the confidential comments section of the “Medical Student of Educator” evaluation submitted at the end of each clinical clerkship. The comments from this section are transmitted to the student affairs and curriculum deans.
- Detail the concern in the “non-confidential” comments section of the “Medical Student of Educator” evaluation submitted at the end of each clinical clerkship. The comments from this section are transmitted to the clerkship director.
Concerns submitted to the deans, either directly or via the confidential comments section of the “Medical Student of Educator” evaluation form are reviewed and tracked centrally so that appropriate intervention and ongoing follow-up occurs.
Depending on the situation and the student’s decision on whether to make a formal complaint, an approach for addressing the issue will be developed in collaboration with the student within the UW School of Medicine’s and/or University’s informal process or formal grievance procedures.
Other resources
Healthcare resources
http://depts.washington.edu/chsweb/hsi/?q=node/6
UW SafeCampus
SafeCampus can help address concerns in the following areas relating to community safety: conflict resolution, self-harm, relationship violence, stalking, suicide and Title IX sexual misconduct.
University Ombud
The Office of the Ombud is a confidential, neutral resource where students, faculty and staff can seek information, consultation and assistance for any professional challenges that they are facing at the University of Washington. This resource is available to all medical students regardless of their physical location.
Center for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The Center for Health Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, formerly Office of Multicultural Affairs, is here to support the academic and professional success of our medical students by providing a training environment that is diverse, inclusive, collaborative and supportive. Here you will find valuable opportunities to connect with others as you traverse the pathway to medicine, including summer programs, student groups, financial resources, study tips and strategies for success. We also provide resources for curriculum, cultural proficiency, professional development and faculty development. We hope you will visit us again and again and check out what's new in CEDI.
Absence policy
- No time off is allowed during two-week clerkships.
- If more than two days off are needed during a four- to twelve-week clerkship, the clerkship should be rescheduled.
- Students needing time off during a four- to twelve-week clerkship must consult with the appropriate clerkship director at least six (6) weeks prior to the start of the clerkship to request permission, to ensure the days do not conflict with any required elements of the clerkship such as orientation or the final exam, and to limit the negative impact on the clerkship experience.
- There are no vacation days during clerkships except for Match day and, possibly, holidays.
- For residency interviews, students should schedule elective time off. If interviews are offered when students are already scheduled for clerkships, students should work directly with the clerkship director immediately regarding absences for residency interviews. There is no guarantee that any additional time off from the clerkship will be permitted.
Policy on Professional Conduct
Professional Behavior and Conduct for the Teacher/Learner Relationship
The University of Washington School of Medicine is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic performance, professional behavior, personal integrity and respect for each other as individuals. These standards apply to all individuals associated with the educational experience.
Teachers and learners are expected to be on their honor to maintain the highest standards of professional behavior in all aspects of training. Both must be respectful of the special nature of the physician-in-training status in how they conduct themselves in the presence of patients and maintain patient confidentiality. Integrity is an essential personal quality for successful completion of the M.D. program. Upholding the standards of professional and personal conduct includes both acquiring and demonstrating the behavioral patterns and attitudes consistent with the oath taken at the time of graduation and also being accountable for one’s own conduct as well as assuming responsibility for the professional behavior of one’s colleagues within the medical profession. In this regard, the teachers are expected to provide role modeling that will enhance the learners’ ability to incorporate appropriate behaviors into their professional development.
The UW School of Medicine believes that the provision of an atmosphere in which individuals can learn from each other in a supportive environment, and in which there is recognition of the dignity and worth of each person, is essential to its mission. The members of this community come from many different backgrounds and include different races, religions, sexual orientations, ethnic ancestries and socio-economic status. Learning to understand differences, as well as similarities, and how to integrate culturally sensitive skills in communications at all levels is an important dimension of education. It is hoped that all would seek to appreciate the richness and personal growth that this diversity provides everyone as members of the medical school and university community.
Policy on Use and Possession of Marijuana
Regardless of the laws of the state in which the students reside, UW policy prohibits the production, distribution, possession and use of marijuana on university property or during university-sponsored activities. A number of university employees are subject to drug and alcohol testing because of the type of work they perform. Violating these policies or testing positive for marijuana may lead to sanctions, including termination, under the applicable general code of conduct, even if the use occurred outside of work hours and otherwise in accordance with state law. It is still a federal crime to possess and use even small amounts of marijuana on or in any university facilities or vehicles. In addition, failure to comply with federal laws and regulations on marijuana possession and use on campus jeopardizes the UW’s continued receipt of federal funds. See the university’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy for more information.
It is important for medical students to be cognizant of both the UW policy for faculty and staff and how healthcare facilities will be handling positive THC results on drug screening. For medical students training in healthcare facilities throughout the WWAMI region, several already require drug screening, including for THC, as a prerequisite for participation in a clerkship or clinical elective. Medical students may face negative consequences for a positive THC screen.
University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO)
The University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO) is responsible for investigating complaints that a university employee has violated the university’s non-discrimination and/or non-retaliation policies. A UCIRO investigation may be requested either by an individual or by the administrative head of a university organization.
Title IX
The University Title IX office is responsible for facilitating the university’s compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities which receive federal financial assistance. Sexual harassment of students, which includes acts of sexual violence or sexual assault, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. Retaliation against those who raise complaints or participate in the complaint investigation and resolution process is also prohibited.
Disability Resources for Students (DRS)
The University of Washington and its School of Medicine are committed to ensuring that students have equal access through reasonable accommodations for their documented disability to the educational programs and facilities. The School of Medicine works closely with the university’s Disability Resources for Students (DRS) to assist students in making the transition to the medical school environment and in identifying accommodations that will support their success in the program.