Ultimately, it’s about advocating for our colleagues so we can build stronger teams and provide the best possible care for our patients.
As the Community Building & Belonging (CBB) council works to provide foundational support for members of our department across UW Medicine, site champions are actively seeking input from their respective teams at each hospital location.
Faculty, trainees and staff in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine are encouraged to connect with their site champion, to help shape the impact of CBB programming and provide feedback.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Theresa Raleigh is one of two site champions at Harborview Medical Center. Working in collaboration with Dr. Vanessa Cervantes, she aims to create a culture where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to contribute.
“Harborview is unique because we serve as a regional Level I trauma center while also caring for underserved and incarcerated populations, all within a major academic teaching environment,” she shares. “Due to the complexity of our work, teamwork isn’t optional. It’s essential. We care for incredibly complex patients while educating future clinicians, and that mission attracts people who are deeply committed to service, teaching and advocacy.”
Raleigh feels that in order to foster mutual respect and collaboration, the team must center a culture that welcomes and values the individual experiences, skills and passions among members of the anesthesiology and pain care team. As site champion, she is also focused on strengthening collegial relationships between nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists, including faculty and residents.
“I don’t see this work as a forum for discussing the political or medico-legal aspects of our professions,” Raleigh shares. “Our department mission is to improve the health of the public by educating and empowering the next generation of anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. I believe that also means recognizing and addressing inequities that exist within all aspects of healthcare, promoting respectful communication and creating opportunities for learning and growth. Ultimately, it’s about advocating for our colleagues so we can build stronger teams and provide the best possible care for our patients.”
Pictured above: Theresa Raleigh with a career fair attendee.
Volunteer opportunities: Contact apmcbb@uw.edu if you would like to volunteer!
July 17-19: 2026 SeaFair Indian Days Powwow
July 18: Celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day, which stands as a call to action to improve our communities.
July 18, 1:00PM – 4:00PM: Cierra Sisters Wellness on the Block
August 5, 1:00PM – 2:30PM: Reducing Weight Stigma & Bias in Healthcare