Menu

Application Process

We are looking for an excellent fit

Tacoma Family Medicine has a long tradition of training physicians for full scope Family Medicine with specific preparation for the care of under-resourced populations.

  • We define full scope as training residents to provide all primary care services including newborn, pediatric, maternity, reproductive, adult and geriatric care to patients in all variety of settings.
  • TFM graduates “omnipotential” family physicians who are prepared to practice in low-resource environments from urban to rural settings.

National Resident Matching Program (NRMP):

Tacoma Family Medicine (1574120C2) participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Only applicants who are registered with the Matching Program will be considered for a personal interview.

You will find us listed in the online AMA FREIDA directory under MultiCare Medical Center.

ERAS Application:

Tacoma Family Medicine uses Thalamus. We only accept applications submitted through the ERAS system. Residency applicants may begin submitting MyERASŽ applications to programs on September 6th, at 9 a.m. ET. Our deadline for receipt of completed applications is October 1st, 2023.

You can read a description of the ERAS system on-line. If you have any questions regarding ERAS or Thalamus, please contact the Dean’s Office of your medical school for clarification.

Requirements:

  1. All applicants must have graduated from medical school or have completed a transitional year program approved by the ACGME with demonstrated clinical experience in medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and/or surgery and have graduated from medical school or be actively practicing medicine within 2 years of starting residency.
  2. Shadowing does not qualify as clinical work experiences. Applicants not meeting this requirement are not considered and their applications are not processed.
  3. Passing standardized testing: We allow one failed attempt on Step 1, however, applicants must have a passing score on first attempt for Step 2 listed in ERAS at time of application.
  4. For International Graduates: MultiCare Tacoma Family Medicine does not sponsor visas. Your ERAS application must be complete, including all of the above documentation as well as verification of passing the USMLE Step II-CSA examination and verification of current certification by the ECFMG.
  5. A completed ERAS Application and supporting documents: The following items must be received in your ERAS application before, and interview can be scheduled:

 A completed ERAS Application Form:

  • Personal Statement (This is a key application document, and we want you to visit our website and write at least one paragraph as to why Tacoma Family Medicine is a good fit for you, please see specific details below).
  • Letters of Reference: One letter should specifically be from a family physician. Tacoma Family Medicine will offer interviews after two letters are on file; however, three letters of reference are desired by the time of the interview date. The fourth reference is the MSPE “Dean’s letter” and is required for a complete file.
  • MSPE: “Dean’s Letter”: This will typically be available to programs in October.
  • Medical School Transcripts
  • USMLE or COMLEX Transcript including Step I, II, and Step II-CSA
  • ECFMG Certification if applicable: Applicants who have not received ECFMG certification by the deadline for submission of program ranking list will not be listed for our program.

Personal Statement:

Your application must include a personal statement of approximately 1-2 pages. Effective personal statements have been personalized to the application to Tacoma Family Medicine and include a few short paragraphs addressing the following details:

  1. A brief autobiographical sketch, including a description of the community in which you grew up.
  2. Your ability to work on teams both as leader and team-member.
  3. Your objectives in residency training, including:
    • Your career goals in medicine and the kind of community in which you plan to serve.
    • Life and work experiences that have shaped your plans for the future.
    • Educational choices you have made to support your goals.
    • The skills you wish to acquire and what areas of training you feel are particularly important for your future plans.
  4. How your goals match the mission and training available at Tacoma Family Medicine

Faculty Review of ERAS Applications:

When your completed ERAS application, personal statement, at least 2 of the requested 3 letters of reference, medical school transcripts, and passing USMLE/COMLEX scores have been received, your file will be ready for review. The residency faculty personally reviews all applications. The residency coordinator will contact you to make the necessary arrangements for an interview. Spouses and/or significant others are welcome to participate in interview day activities.

Who should I contact if I still have questions about the application?

The most efficient method is to email the residency coordinator (Leigh Croker) at [email protected]. You can leave a detailed message for the residency coordinator at 253-403-6939.