Residency recruitment is one of the most critical phases in shaping the future of healthcare. Programs across the country work diligently to identify candidates who not only meet academic and clinical benchmarks, but also align with the culture and mission of the institution. Each year, our department receives between 1,100 and 1,400 applications for around 20 positions, a reflection of our reputation as well as the growing need for psychiatrists across the WWAMI region.
 
Applicants consistently cite our breadth of training opportunities, strong psychotherapy and integrated care curriculum, robust research opportunities, and our location in the PNW as reasons for choosing our Psychiatry Residency Program. The department’s mission-driven approach and the state funding that allows us to focus on the needs of rural and underserved communities is also appealing to many applicants.
 
Behind the scenes, the recruitment process is truly a collaborative effort with over 100 faculty and residents volunteering to review applications in early October. Promising candidates are identified and invited to interview with the department. Over the course of 17 days, they participate in program interviews with faculty and residents who share similar interests, leadership sessions, and virtual social events. Research track candidates also receive two days of specialized interviews with research faculty and residents. An admissions committee comprised of faculty, current residents, and program leadership meets weekly to discuss applicants. Then, to make final decisions, they gather for a full-day meeting to thoughtfully create a ranked list for the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), a non-profit organization that uses a mathematical algorithm to connect medical school graduates with residency and fellowship positions in U.S. teaching hospitals.
 
Recruiting the best candidates is a monumental undertaking. Our goal is not only to select residents who will thrive in our program, but also to ensure they remain in our community and the WWAMI region to provide essential psychiatric care in the future. We’re proud that year after year, this process allows us to welcome some of the brightest and most dedicated psychiatrists, researchers, leaders, and innovators.
 
Each August, we invite faculty and residents to join this effort by helping with the application review process and/or participating in interviews. If you’d like be involved in 2026, please reach out to Associate Director of Education Athena Wong, MHA at aswong@uw.edu. We are grateful for the incredible commitment of our faculty and residents who participate in this process. Your help is invaluable and directly impacts the future of our program.