Frequently Asked Questions - NWFMR

In November 2020, Harrison Medical Center’s two campuses merged. The new name for this single facility is St. Michael Medical Center. There has been no change in ownership, leadership, or residency sponsorship related to this change. Our parent organization felt the new name was more fitting, given St. Michael is considered a champion of justice, a healer of the sick, and the guardian of the Church.

We have faculty who perform a variety of procedures, including: minor skin procedures (biopsies, excisions, cryotherapy); colposcopy & cervical biopsy; intrauterine device placement/removal; endometrial biopsy; vasectomy; Nexplanon placement/removal; first trimester obstetric ultrasound; and loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). Elective time is available to train in procedures not performed within our Family Medicine practice.

No. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health’s St. Michael Medical Center retains its secular status and offers a wide spectrum of reproductive health services.

Yes, within the limits placed upon us by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Usually, one 4-week elective in the PGY2 and PGY3 years is available for “away” rotations. Limitations on time away are in place to maintain continuity within the Family Medicine practice.

Yes. Graduates from recognized international schools are welcome to apply so long as they have satisfied ECFMG requirements. As of this time, however, we are not equipped to offer visa sponsorship. All international medical graduates applying must be United States citizens or permanent residents to be considered.

Yes. To ensure appropriate acuity of pediatric training cases, a four-week Hospital Medicine rotation and a four-week Emergency Medicine rotation are scheduled at Seattle Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the PGY2 and PGY3 years respectively. Housing arrangements will be provided so travel to and from Bremerton isn’t necessary on a daily basis.

We are looking for residents who are hardworking, adventurous, and willing to help the faculty, hospital, and community create a superior residency program. The first few classes have been instrumental in shaping curricular and administrative changes by providing real-time feedback to program faculty and administrators. Additionally the first classes set the standard for interaction with community preceptors and have provided leadership for subsequent future classes.

Each Thursday afternoon from 2-5 p.m. is dedicated to didactic instruction. Content area lecture presentations, procedural training workshops, practice management activities, board review sessions, and maintenance of certification activities will be provided during these sessions. Faculty will review periodically the available topics and tailor them to residents’ needs.

The region surrounding Bremerton has several public school districts including the Bremerton, North Kitsap, Central Kitsap and South Kitsap school districts.

Learn more about all that Bremerton has to offer at the City of Bremerton website.

We do not review applicants who are greater than 2 years from their medical school graduation date.

If applicants have passed the appropriate examinations (USMLE or NBOME), we do not exclude based upon an arbitrary score cutoff.

Board scores are an important indicator of knowledge, but we recognize there are sometimes factors other than knowledge/intelligence that affect testing performance. We will consider applicants who 1) have failed no more than one attempt on each Step Exam and 2) have failed no more than two times total. Applicants with three or more unsuccessful attempts in any combination will not be considered.

We request no fewer than three Letters of Recommendation. Letters should reflect a physician’s interpretation of your ability to function as a resident physician. Personalized letters reflecting a long-term association are always valued highly. At least one (1) Letter of Recommendation should be from a Family Physician.

If you did not find the answer to your question here or in the additional Frequently Asked Questions, feel free to contact us.

Likely no. We are waiting on the final recommendations from most major academic medical organizations, if so, all our interviews for internship slots this year will be virtual. It is our hope that enhancing this website and broadening our social media presence will provide applicants with a feel for what life would be like here at Northwest Family Medicine Residency.

We DO require everyone to have passed Step 2 CK or Comlex Level 2 CE prior to the rank deadline in February. Step 2 CS has been discontinued by the USMLE for MD's. We are committed to providing time in the PGY-1 year to allow for completion of Comlex Level 2 PE ( if necessary) or be eligible to take Comlex Level 3 through one of the Temporary Eligibility pathways.

We offer rotations for third and fourth year U.S. medical students in 4 or 6 week increments. If interested, email Sherrel Aguon for more information.