In April 2026, the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine and Edmonds College’s postbaccalaureate program came together for a day of experiential learning for students who are transitioning into healthcare careers. Over the course of an afternoon, 15 students toured UW Medical Center – Montlake learned about the many specialties that make up Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, and interfaced with Drs. Hani El-Omrani, Anjum Anwar, Sofia Armengol, CRNA Theresa Raleigh, and research expert, Leanne Cornel.
Held at the WWAMI Institute for Simulation in Healthcare (WISH)—the University of Washington’s premiere simulation training facility for healthcare education serving the WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, & Idaho)—El-Omrani, Anwar, Armengol, and Raleigh taught learners the basics of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and airway management before giving them the tools for hands-on practice.
The workshop culminated in a high-fidelity simulation of the perioperative care process, from sedation and intubation all the way through bringing a patient back to consciousness with a high performance manikin that mimics speech, breath, and physical responses.
For most of the students, this was their first time behind the scenes of the operating room.
Following the simulation, visiting student Hailey North said, “Visiting the WISH Lab gave me an exciting look into the world of anesthesiology and medical school. I got to try skills that I had really only seen on TV up until then, like intubating a fake patient or using an ultrasound to differentiate between veins and arteries on my arm. Imagining myself as an active participant in scenarios such as a surgery made me excited to learn more. It was incredible to learn these things from current residents and attending physicians and get to ask questions about their own path towards medicine. I also loved doing this in community with other post-bacc students from Edmonds. Everyone was at different points in their journeys, and getting to know them created an encouraging and fun environment.”
Another student, Kevin Borchers, called the event an exciting and unforgettable experience. “It was amazing to network with physicians and healthcare practitioners, hear about their career journeys, and gain insight into what working in medicine is really like,” he said. “I also loved finally meeting many of my classmates in person after only interacting virtually––it made the experience even more special. Learning how to intubate, use ultrasound machines, and even induce anesthesia as a team on an incredibly realistic simulation manikin was both thrilling and eye-opening. This event made my journey toward medicine feel more tangible and served as a motivating reminder of why all the hard work is worth it.”
Developed in partnership with Julie Povick, a former RN at Seattle Children’s Hospital and founder of DiY-Postbacc Consulting, the collaboration between the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine and Edmonds College provides an opportunity for students who are returning to education after spending time in the workforce. The program connects students with UW Medicine mentors and organizes a series of guest lectures by UW Medicine providers, culminating in the hands-on WISH experience.
“The partnership is invaluable to the students on many levels,” Povick shared “For some, it allows them to have honest conversations with providers about what it truly means to be a physician. The mentors seem more candid in their conversations than I can recall in other programs. At the simulation, the students indicated that the exposure was more in depth than they have experienced before. A nurse who works in a trauma ICU said that the intubation was explained in a way she had never heard before. Her prior nursing training focused on the what without explaining the why.”
All members of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine are encouraged to participate in the Community Building & Belonging Council’s work with Julie Povick and Edmonds College. The Community Building & Belonging team will begin matching mentors with new students in Fall 2026. If you are interested in being a speaker, mentor, or WISH volunteer, email the Community Building & Belonging team.
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Check out upcoming events and resources!
Visit the Spring Market at the Wing Luke Museum on Saturday, May 27.
Stop by the Seattle Aquarium for Asian American Pacific Islander Days throughout the month of May.