Program Director’s Welcome

Welcome to Psychiatry Residency Spokane (PRS)! Thank you for taking time to learn about our program. We’re excited to meet applicants aligned with our mission to train residents as clinician educators with a deep commitment to the poor and vulnerable.​

Since our inaugural intern class began in 2015, we have built a reputation for continuous improvement and clinical excellence. We train residents to look towards the future of medicine by leveraging expertise through consultation, committing to population-based care, and focusing on our local regional social and health related disparities. We meet our goals through treatment paradigms such as collaborative care, telepsychiatry, and a harm reduction approach to substance use disorders.

My vision for the program includes the following core components:

• Comprehensive clinical training with emphasis on psychotherapy training and management of medically complex patients - you can expect a clinical experience that will challenge you, while ensuring support and safety​
• Supportive environment - we work hard to cultivate and maintain an extended family culture – this will be your professional family not just for the time that you’re in Spokane, but also after you graduate! We foster a growth mindset where mistakes are learning opportunities​.
• Mentorship to help you get where you want to go​

We have a strong academic culture and are affiliated with the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and with Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Faculty and residents spend time teaching in preclinical courses, core clerkships in psychiatry, electives, Sub-I rotations, and in both formal and informal settings to other departments at our institution. Residents receive outstanding training in quality improvement and have ample opportunity and mentorship to participate in varied scholarly activities. Our faculty are involved in regional and national committee and advocacy work. We partner with a diverse set of established rotation sites that you can learn about on our curriculum page.

Our training program graduates excellent clinicians who are well-prepared to transition into any practice environment – independent, group, or fellowship. Here, you’ll experience a program with a personal feel that cares deeply about our community, responding to feedback, and preparing residents to thrive in a rapidly changing system. Spokane is a medium-sized city with a small-town feel, friendly people, and easy access to the outdoors that we love calling home. We hope you will consider applying and wish you all the best this interview season!

Sincerely,

Rick Carlson, MD

Program Director
Psychiatry Residency Spokane
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center