Resident Life

Resident Wellbeing

There is no question that being a resident physician can be hard. Helping patients and families on the journey to health and as they traverse uncertainty and grapple with serious diagnoses can be incredibly rewarding, it can also take an emotional, psychological, and physical toll. This particularly true when the hours are long and the work is demanding; when we feel vulnerable as we practice new skills in varied environments and teams; when we bear witness to injustice and trauma; and when we feel stretched in attending to our whole selves, both at work and outside of it.

The University of Washington Internal Medicine Residency Program is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of our residents, not just in residency, but in their future career. 

We do this by:

• Creating a supportive and safe community in which residents can be vulnerable and grow. 
• Providing protected opportunities for joy, reflection, connection, and professional development through retreats, professional development days, and program sponsored social events.
• Developing a novel longitudinal wellness curriculum with our resident Wellbeing Curriculum Committee in which we not only teach residents how to address their personal wellness needs, but also how to advocate for wellbeing needs within the teams and systems in which they work.
• Providing resources to support individual wellness (including access to free and confidential counseling services through our GME office.

Our residents have access to a variety of well-being resources across the institution:

Life in seattle

Seattle offers an exceptional backdrop for residency training, blending the energy of a major academic medical center with the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Residents enjoy year‑round access to outdoor activities, from hiking in the Cascades and exploring Mount Rainier to biking along miles of waterfront trails or relaxing by Lake Washington. With more than 50 parks, easy day trips to mountains and wineries, and a climate that’s milder than many East Coast cities, Seattle makes it easy to recharge outside of the hospital.

Beyond the outdoors, Seattle’s neighborhoods offer a rich mix of culture, food, and community. The city’s arts scene includes everything from the Seattle Symphony to local theater and festivals, while its 2,000+ restaurants and countless cafés reflect a diverse and welcoming food culture. Residents live throughout the city in areas like Capitol Hill, Fremont, Ballard, Wallingford, and Green Lake and each has its own character, walkability, and access to UW training sites. It’s a city where you can build a life, find your people, and feel supported during the intensity of residency. 

Resident Engagment

The Residency Program and University of Washington has several committees for residents to organize initiatives, to improve the program, and contribute to departmental policies and activities.

Resident Diversity Committee

The Resident Diversity Committee is a resident-led organization focused on fostering diversity and inclusion at the University of Washington Internal Medicine Residency Program.

 

Department of Medicine and GME Involvement

There are numerous opportunities for residents to contribute to the strategic planning and mission of the Department of Medicine, UW Medicine and University of Washington organizations: 

• Department of Medicine's Diversity Council, Gender-Equity Council and/or LGBTQ+ Council.
• The UW Network for Underrepresented Residents and Fellow (UW NURF), a coalition of UW Medicine trainees advocating for policies and programs, creating educational opportunities, and establishing and sharing resources to promote equity and representation within the organization.

University of Washington

UW’s affinity groups foster a sense of community in the workplace where all employees feel seen, heard and valued and are also a great way to build your network and foster connections.

Stipend & Benefits

Residents in the University of Washington Internal Medicine Residency Program receive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. Effective July 1, 2024, annual stipends are:

• R1: $76,032

• R2: $78,660

• R3: $81,552

• R4: $84,672

Residents are members of the Resident & Fellow Physician Union–Northwest (RFPU‑NW) under the UW/RFPU‑NW collective bargaining agreement.

Residents receive four weeks of vacation each year and have access to a full suite of medical, dental, life, accident, and long‑term disability insurance for themselves and their dependents. Optional supplemental life insurance and flexible spending accounts are available through the University of Washington.

All housestaff participate in the UW Retirement Plan, with the option to enroll in the UW Voluntary Investment Program (VIP) for additional tax‑deferred savings. Residents also enjoy staff privileges across the University, including library access, online resources, the Intramural Activities Building, and discounted tickets for select sports and cultural events. Additional benefits include dependent care assistance, transportation programs, home‑buying resources, and employee discounts.

To learn more about the full range of benefits offered by the University of Washington: