Responsible Unit: GME | Executive lead: COM Dean
Created: 8/10/2018 | Reviewed/Revised: 2/25/2025, 6/3/2025 | Effective: 8/10/2018
Compliance: COCA 10.2
Approving Body: Dean’s Council | Classification: College of Osteopathic Medicine
Policy:
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM) assists new and existing graduate medical education (GME) programs directly as requested or with partnership such as the Family Medicine Residency Network, Health Resource Services Administration, or other academic affiliation as defined by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Assistance will target program achievement or maintenance of accreditation through ACGME, Osteopathic Recognition (OR), American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), Residency Review Committee (RRC) requirements, and/or other relevant rules and regulations governing graduate medical education as set forth by individual specialty boards.
PNWU will aid in maintaining Osteopathic Recognition by providing faculty development, accreditation application assistance, ongoing maintenance of certification, and other necessary services as deemed appropriate.
PNWU-COM and the Program shall declare the responsibilities of each entity in a written agreement regarding the affiliation including any funding/financial support and follow PNWU policy and protocol for agreements that require any exchange of services (see affiliation agreement).
Definitions:
An Academic Affiliated Program is defined as a GME program that is part of the Family Medicine Residency Network or has either listed PNWU as an academic sponsor/affiliated medical school on their ACGME application or as a resource for Osteopathic Recognition (OR). Minor support to unaffiliated programs, such as OMT workshops, answering basic questions regarding OR or research, may not require affiliation agreement. Each GME site maintains appropriate accreditation documents.
Academic Sponsor and Affiliated Medical School are equivalent terms as defined by ACGME.
Osteopathic Recognition, as defined by the ACGME, is a designation conferred by the ACGME Osteopathic Principles Committee upon ACGME-Accredited programs that demonstrate, through a formal application process, the commitment to teaching assessing Osteopathic Principles and Practice at the graduate medical education level.
Procedure:
Annual Scope and work agreement with Family Medicine Residency Network on file with the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
Related Documents:
Washington State House Bill 1485 supports this policy and provides financial compensation to PNWU for all Washington State Affiliated Family Medicine Programs.
Individual cost-based arrangements are made on a per occurrence basis with affiliated programs outside the FMRN or those other than Family Medicine.
Policy Resources
- Establishing and Creating University Policies and Procedures (Policy)
- Policy Template (password protected)
- Procedure Resources (password protected)
- PNWU Alumni Association Bylaws
- COM Bylaws
- PNWU Bylaws
For assistance with policies and procedures contact:
Dee Dennis
ddennis@pnwu.edu