Clinical Rotation – Yakima

Demographics Information

Cities within the Yakima region boundaries are: Toppenish, Sunnyside, Ellensburg, Wenatchee, Othello, Moses Lake, and Goldendale

Fitness/recreation areas available in the region:
Yakima has several fitness facilities and a plethora of recreational activities for every season.  Wine tasting and craft breweries are in abundance in the region, as is a rapidly emerging foodie scene.  Summer brings regional fresh fruits and vegetables in the Farmer’s Markets.

Housing:
Students placed in the Yakima region for clinical training have the same housing options offered from years 1-2. 

Length of time region has been training with PNWU students:
Since the first PNWU graduating class of 2012.


Preceptor/Rotation Information

Based on preceptor/rotations availability, core rotations are typically within 50 miles one way from where didactics are held or from the satellite locations (a location for clinical rotations associated with a regional site). When a core rotation occurs more than 50 miles from their assigned site, students may be eligible for a housing allowance and/or mileage stipend provided by PNWU.

4th year electives that have been available in this region:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Behavioral Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Emergency
  • Family Medicine
  • Geriatrics
  • Hematology/Oncology
  • Hospice/Palliative Care
  • Infectious Disease
  • Intensive Care
  • Internal Medicine (limited)
  • Neonatology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Pathology
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  • Radiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Substance Abuse
  • Urology (limited)

Number of preceptors credentialed with PNWU to teach CORE rotations: 80

D.O. preceptors in the region (approx.): 20

M.D. preceptors in the region (approx.): 60

Rotations that may provide inpatient experience:

  • Behavioral Health
  • Family Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Women’s Health

Rotation challenges in the region based on availability:

  • General Surgery
  • Women’s Health

Is there integration of other schools with PNWU students?
Our students work with Residents, PA’s, Nurse Practitioners and other medical students

Residencies available in the region that PNWU students are involved in (didactics, rotations, etc.):
The Central Washington Family Medicine Residency Program (CWFMR) is located in Yakima, volunteer/community opportunities. 

Opportunities to practice OMM:
Some preceptors allow the student to use OMM on rotations and some students complete their OPP rotation on campus with the OPP faculty and second-year students.

Out-of-Region Expectations:
It is expected that a student may be required to rotate outside of their region for any unavailable core rotations.


Didactics Information

Centralized Didactics are held every Wednesday afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm. Students will join the online PNWU Centralized Didactics for a professionalism hour, followed by a medical topic hour pertaining to their current rotation.

For regional didactics, students meet on the 1st, and 4th Wednesday of each month at 1 pm, either remotely or in person.  On the 5th Wednesday’s are Wellness Wednesdays — no didactics.

Other learning opportunities in addition to PNWU didactics include:
PNWU on-campus activities


Additional Information

Region strengths:
Familiarity with the Yakima community, excellent didactics, supportive community, Central Washington Family Medicine Residency.

Why might a student choose this region over another?
Family proximity, the community, rural medicine, and outdoor activities.

Student/Resident Information: (as of AY 22-23)
Number of OMS3 Students Rotating in Region:   19
Number of OMS4 Students Rotating in Region:   17
Alumni in Residency Programs (Washington totals):   275
Alumni practicing in the regions (Washington totals):   247
% of PNWU-COM matriculations from regions (Washington totals):   57.6%

Additional information:
Variety of rotations, from busy hospital rotations to small rural clinics.


Regional Staff

Assistant Dean:
Kelly Noyes, DO
knoyes@pnwu.edu

Regional Site Administrator:
Amy Gaulke
agaulke@pnwu.edu
509-961-1545

Marti Martinell
mmartinell@pnwu.edu
509-249-7837

Address used for Site Selection: 3108 Inspiration Drive Yakima 98901