MS4 Class Information – Jan. 5, 2023

Updates about Transition to Residency

This is a message from the Transition to Residency Team and Alexandra Collis, M.D.:

I am the new course director for Transition to Residency this year and wanted to introduce myself. I am a general internal medicine hospitalist at UW Medical Center-Montlake and am so excited to work with you all this spring as you take the final step toward becoming a physician. This year’s course will consist of two weeks: the first is virtual and the second week is in-person in Seattle.

While we know the end of medical school can be very busy, we hope to make the most of your time here in Seattle with opportunities such as high-yield procedural sessions, intern-skill simulations, engaging in-person lectures, and a chance to network with other medical students going into your specialty. We are still finalizing some of the details of the schedule and course content but will reach out to you throughout the spring with updates.

Here are some things to start thinking about:

  • TRAVEL & LODGING

Your day-to-day attendance will vary based on the sessions you are enrolled in. We ask that you plan to be available in Seattle from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 22, to Thursday, May 25. Once you are enrolled in sessions in the spring, you will receive an individualized schedule and know what your day-to-day will look like.

  • PLENARY

Our Foundations site plenary speaker is the closest thing UWSOM has to a “graduation speaker.” We count on you to nominate your colleagues for this amazing and important honor. Please take a couple of minutes to nominate a speaker. You can nominate people from your Foundations site or others. Please use the following link to submit nominations: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhtwfWCEU4u1cJ5S-p40jXFjwukyPWcQgNJrHgOpufDE0ZAA/viewform?usp=sf_link

  • STORY SLAM

Story Slam is a unique opportunity for students to share their unique experiences in medical school in a storytelling fashion with their class. Patterned after the podcast The Moth, we are looking for a wide range of stories that reflect the authentic experiences of this graduating class.  Please think about telling your story or consider nudging a classmate that you know has an important story to tell. Please see the following link to make a submission: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVh7LMZdr7TWVUoPvl_uif4wMBDYbjNAv4KZFaUxzlg3_hyQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

We will reach out with more details on scheduling. We are so excited and grateful to play a role in the final part of your journey to becoming a doctor! Have a wonderful holiday season and please reach out with any questions.


Deadline is Jan. 15 to comply with background check requirements

If you will be graduating in 2023, please complete the criminal background check (CBC) requirement. Per the Student Handbook, students must complete a CBC in January prior to graduation, regardless of the completion date of the previous criminal background check.

If you are not graduating in 2023, but your CBC is expiring in January, you will also need to complete a CBC at this time. You can follow the instructions below. We will also send you a separate notification.

DEADLINE: Jan. 15, 2023

There are two components to CBC compliance:

❶ Completethe UW Self Disclosure, Consent and Release of Information Form – Matriculated Students using your UW Student ID number as your signature. Please make sure you have the correct student ID number. This link will take you to the form.

❷Instructions for renewing background checks through CastleBranch:

  1. Paste the following link into your browser:

https://portal.castlebranch.com/UW70/package-selection

  1. Select: University of Washington School of Medicine
  2. Select UW71bg: I need to order my Background Check
  3. Use the same email address for your username that you used to create your immunizations account. Review the next 2 pages and click “next” and “continue”
  4. Place your order by entering your personal information and personal identifiers. When you are placing your order, on the screen that says, “Statewide Criminal WA,” the only state you can select is Washington

Statewide Criminal WA is required by Washington State law for all healthcare workers. So even if you live in another state, because you are a UW student, the search needs to be done.

  1. Follow the instructions on the myCB web site. The email address you use when placing your order will become our username for myCB. Access your myCB anytime to view order status and completed results. The SOM will have access to view your completed CBC report from a separate web portal.

If you have technical issues with the myCB site, please contact myCB Service Desk via phone, chat or email: 1-888-914-7279, servicedesk.cu@castlebranch.com.

7. You will be asked to authorize a $48.50 charge to your debit or credit cardDo not pay for anything extra! The $48.50 flat fee includes all aliases and addresses. International address searches are not required. If you are charged more, please email Laura Ellis.

  1. Addresses and Aliases: You will be asked to list your current address. The residence history search will find all prior addresses. Likewise, you will be asked to enter your current name. The SSN search will find all previous names.
  2. You are also required to submit the UW Self Disclosure, Consent and Release of Information Form – Matriculated Students as mentioned in step 1 above.

A study for MS4s who have applied to pediatric residencies 

This is a request from Katherine Schultz, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatrics, University of Iowa: Please complete this five- to 10-minute survey, aimed at understanding what influences medical students in their career preference.

Your participation in this is voluntary, and answers will be kept confidential. You will be invited to participate in an optional one-time 30-minute interview to understand your responses. If you do choose to participate in the interview, you are eligible for a $20 gift card.

Have a great week!