After careful consideration and discussion, we have decided to close the OEM Training Program at the George Washington University Medical Center. We have advised the Office of Graduate Medical Education that we will take no new residents and will terminate the program effective 1 July 2003. By closing the program this year, we end it while we are still competitive and perceived (correctly, I believe) as providing a high quality experience.
Our reasons basically have to do with scarce resources and too few faculty supporting a small program that faces a big increase in administrative overhead costs which are mandated by new accreditation requirements.
Our other clinical and academic programs in occupational and environmental medicine will, of course, continue. These include:
We will also continue to be active in occupational medicine training through our participation in the Residency Advisory Committees of our sister programs (currently West Virginia University and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences).
In coming years, free of the considerable effort required to keep the OEM Training Program going under the present circumstances, we will work on establishing a more sustainable base of support.
Sincerely,
Tee L. Guidotti, MD, MPH
Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Director, OEM Training Program
Director, Division of OM&T