We will be providing updates on the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accreditation progress and ongoing continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts across WWAMI. We are now preparing for the next accreditation site visit in March 2026.
Why is accreditation important?
LCME accreditation ensures the quality, integrity and continuous improvement of our medical student education program. This rigorous national process evaluates whether medical schools meet established standards and best practices. As part of the 8-year accreditation cycle, the LCME issues citations in areas needing improvement and requires schools to submit follow-up reports demonstrating progress. These determinations help identify areas of sustained strength as well as targets for CQI.
What is our current accreditation status?
We are pleased to report that UWSOM remains fully accredited. The LCME recently reviewed progress in three previously cited areas:
- Element 3.2 Community of Scholars/Research Opportunities: Satisfactory
- Element 5.11 Study/Lounge/Call Space: Satisfactory
- Element 12.4 Access to Healthcare Services: Satisfactory with a Need for Monitoring
The “Satisfactory” ratings reflect our positive improvement efforts. The “Satisfactory with a Need for Monitoring” highlights an area where further work is needed to improve students’ access to healthcare during clerkships. In response, the school is working closely with university leadership to provide a health insurance option that functions across the entire WWAMI region. We aim to finalize this plan for academic year 2026-2027 and will share updates on this initiative in future newsletters.
Who leads this process and where are we in the cycle?
We are currently in the rigorous self-study phase led by the Office of Educational Quality Improvement (EQI) , This stage involves gathering valuable input on the medical student education program from faculty, staff, and students across the WWAMI region.
A big thank-you to our students for their outstanding work on the Independent Student Analysis (ISA) data collection and final report, which provide direct insights into the student experience.
To support our preparation, we’ve partnered with a consulting firm to help guide our preparation.
Key milestones include:
- Mock site visit – January 2026
- Official LCME site visit – March 2–4, 2026.
Where can I find more info about the accreditation?
To learn about the history of accreditation at UWSOM, the accreditation process, and timeline, please visit: https://education.uwmedicine.org/eqi/laison-committee-medical-education/
If you have any questions regarding LCME accreditation, reach out to us at eqi@uw.edu. Stay tuned for more updates in LCME Corner!