Achieving Excellence Together: The LCME Journey
UWSOM Launches LCME Self-Study Period with Successful Kick-off Event
UWSOM officially launched its 12-month Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Self-Study period on Sept. 18 with a kick-off at the Center for Urban Horticulture. This event marks the beginning of a comprehensive process in preparation for the upcoming LCME accreditation visit in March 2026, a critical component in maintaining the institution’s high standards of medical education.
The event was attended both in person and online by approximately 150 individuals, representing WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho), academic departments, and Graduate Medical Education (GME).
The kick-off event provided an overview of the self-study process, outlining the roles and responsibilities of the six committees and steering committee involved. These committees, composed of faculty, students, and staff from across UWSOM’s regional campuses and programs, will collaborate over the next year to ensure that the institution continues to meet the rigorous standards set by the LCME.
Welcome Remarks
The event began with a formal welcome from Timothy H. Dellit, MD CEO of UW Medicine and Dean of the School of Medicine, and Suzanne M. Allen, MD, MPH, Vice Dean for Academic, Rural, and Regional Affairs.
Dr. Dellit thanked attendees and everyone in UW Medicine for embracing the accreditation process.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of the LCME accreditation process and stressed the vital role that faculty, students, and staff play in ensuring a thorough and successful self-study. They underscored the significance of participation from all areas of the institution.
“This process will be a learning opportunity for us collectively. How can we continue to improve our school? How do we continue to improve education and support for our students? Ultimately, that’s what it’s really all about,” Dr. Dellit said.
“It’s about focusing on how we as a school can continue to get better.”
Bringing 170 people together
Anne Browning, PhD, Chief Well-Being Officer and Associate Dean for Well-Being, 
facilitated an engaging icebreaker session in which participants were invited to introduce themselves and share their favorite places within the WWAMI region. Using an interactive online map, the session illustrated the geographic breadth across the region and highlighted the diverse experiences that contribute to UWSOM. This activity helped participants from different regions connect and share their perspectives, setting a collaborative and inclusive tone for the day’s proceedings.
Keynote Address
Veronica M. Catanese, MD, MBA, LCME Co-Secretary provided a detailed overview of the LCME accreditation process, explaining the crucial role of the self-study period. She emphasized the importance of a thorough, reflective self-assessment and encouraged the committees to proactively identify areas for improvement as they undertake their reviews.
“This whole process is completely intertwined with your goals and objectives and what you do every day to make your medical education program as good as it can possibly be,” Dr. Catanese said.
Overview of UWSOM Accreditation and the Self-Study Process
This session was led by Dr. Allen and Sara Kim, PhD, Associate Dean for Educational Quality Improvement. They presented a comprehensive overview of UWSOM’s accreditation process and the timeline for the 12-month self-study period. The session outlined the specific tasks and milestones each committee will undertake as they review the LCME standards and elements relevant to their work.
Drs. Allen and Kim stressed the importance of collaboration in reviewing the medical education program, as well as identifying strengths and areas that require continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives.
Committee Work and LCME Consultation
Following the presentations, each committee convened for their first working session, during which members began initial discussions on their assigned LCME standards and elements. These sessions allowed members to discuss and establish their community agreements and strategize how to review assigned elements and achieve the goals. Each committee also had an opportunity to consult with Dr. Catanese.
Looking Ahead
The successful launch of the LCME self-study period signals UWSOM’s continued commitment to excellence in medical education. Following the kick-off, committees have started their work to ensure that the institution’s educational programs, resources, and infrastructure align with LCME’s rigorous standards.
Additional resources
- Regular updates on the progress of the LCME self-study process will be provided on our intranet homepage
- For more information, please visit the web page about the LCME process at the UW School of Medicine.
- For further inquiries, please contact eqi@uw.edu.