Demographics
Mt. Vernon lies in beautiful Skagit County, known for the Tulip Festival every Spring. Nearby seasonal outdoor activities include: hiking, kayaking, biking, skiing, fishing. One hour to Seattle, Mt. Baker, Cascade Mountains, Canadian border, or the San Juan Islands!
Fitness/recreation areas available in the region:
YMCA, Riverside Health Club, Planet Fitness, Fitness 1440, Anytime Fitness.
Length of time region has been training with PNWU students:
Since the first PNWU graduating class of 2012 (Mt. Vernon regional site established in 2010)
Preceptor/Rotation Information
The region will do their best to schedule core rotations 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). If a core rotation occurs more than 50 miles from their assigned site, student may be eligible for a housing allowance and/or mileage stipend provided by PNWU.
4thyear electives that have been successful in this region depending on availability:
- Anesthesia
- Bioethics
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- ENT
- GI
- Infectious Disease
- Interventional Pain Medicine
- Nephrology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Palliative Care
- Radiology
- Wound Care
Rotations that may provide inpatient experience:
- Family Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Surgery
- Women’s Health
Rotation challenges in the region based on availability:
Varies.
Number of preceptors credentialed with PNWU to teach CORE rotations: 26
D.O. preceptors in the region (approx.): 9
M.D. preceptors in the region (approx.): 17
Is there integration of other schools with PNWU students?
During audition season, students working with the Internal Medicine inpatient team and in the Family Medicine residency clinic will work with sub-I candidates.
Residencies available in the region that PNWU students are involved in (didactics, rotations, etc.):
Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residency programs: daily didactics, rotations at Skagit Regional Health, volunteer/community opportunities.
Virginia Mason surgical residents rotate with the Skagit Regional Health General Surgery department: students are a part of that team when on their Surgery core rotation.
Opportunities to practice OMM:
OMM rotation, didactics, FM residency clinic, and DO preceptors in the region.
Out-of-Region Expectations:
It is expected that a student may be required to rotate outside of their region for any unavailable core rotations. Please see student handbook for policies and procedures related to core rotations conducted out of region.
Didactics Information
Centralized Didactics are held every Wednesday afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm. Students will join the online PNWU Centralized Didactics for the Clinical Didactics (CLIN 704) course.
Region-led didactics, which are part of the Clinical Didactics (CLIN 704) course, are held every Wednesday as scheduled by the regional leadership and include various topics/activities.
Other learning opportunities in addition to PNWU didactics include:
Daily resident didactics with the Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residency programs on-site at Skagit Valley Hospital.
Core (3rd year) rotations available within driving distance (50 miles) of the didactics site?
Yes
Additional Information
Region strengths:
Established teaching institution with preceptors invested in training physicians. ACGME accredited Internal Medicine residency program. ACGME accredited Family Medicine residency program with Osteopathic recognition. Regional Site Administrator on-site. COMAT’s are self-proctored.
Established region with close ties to Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residency programs.
Student/Resident Information: (as of AY 24-25)
Number of OMS3 Students Rotating in Region: 13
Number of OMS4 Students Rotating in Region: 14
Alumni in Residency Programs (Washington totals): 367
Alumni practicing in the regions (Washington totals): 309
% of PNWU-COM matriculations from regions (Washington totals): 47.6%
Additional information:
Medical students work collaboratively on teams with the Skagit Regional Health Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residency programs. Full access to the Medical Education floor in the hospital, including dedicated didactics rooms, library, kitchen, locker rooms, and sleep room.
Regional Site Leadership
Assistant Dean:
Brenda Polite, MD, FAAFP
bpolite@pnwu.edu
360-269-1886
Address used for Site Selection: 1415 E Kincaid Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98274
College of Osteopathic Medicine
COM Mission & Strategic Plan
COM Administration
Faculty
Academic Departments
Department Updates
Academic Resources
Clinical Education
Curriculum
Graduate Medical Education
What is a DO?
White Coat Ceremony Information
White Coat Livestream
Clinical Education Syllabi
Clinical Faculty Development Handbook
Clinical Faculty Application
Clinical Preceptor Guide
Master Preceptor Fellowship
Request Information
Preceptor Stipend FAQ
Become a Clinical Faculty Member
Preceptor’s Lounge
States Approved for Clinical Rotations
Contact Information
Iron Horse Lodge
111 University Parkway
Yakima, WA 98901
Mary Baker
Administrative Specialist
509-249-7991
mbaker@pnwu.edu