In the face of discrimination and stigma, Whitman-Walker helped to create and foster programs and services to take care of the LGBTQ communities in the DC region. Today, over forty years later, we remain ever committed to passing along our cultural and clinical practice expertise to the next generation of healthcare providers and other clinicians; and to improving community cultural competence.
Medical Care
Nurse Practitioner clinical rotations can be occasionally accommodated based on preceptor availability. Rotations through our current affiliates include both one-month electives and longitudinal clinical rotations that last one or more years. Many of Whitman-Walker’s medical providers hold clinical appointments and teach courses at local and national institutions focusing on LGBTQ population health and HIV care.
Trainees are matched with one or more clinical preceptors and participate fully in the clinic process. Clinical rotations have an emphasis on LGBTQ health and cultural competency (including transgender health), HIV treatment and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and general primary care in a unique and underserved patient population.
Trainees generally come to us through established agreements with our existing affiliates as established rotations. If you are interested in a clinical internship with us, check with your program’s placement coordinator to see if Whitman-Walker is an existing partner. For interested Nurse Practitioner students as well as for medical students, medical residents, and physician assistant students at programs with whom there is no current relationship with Whitman-Walker Health, we can occasionally accommodate clinical rotations depending on preceptor availability. Please contact David Fessler, MD, Director of Clinical Practice, at meded@whitman-walker.org for questions and/or rotation requests.
Academic Affiliations
Medical Schools (3rd/4th year medical students):
The George Washington University School of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency Programs:
The George Washington University Internal Medicine Residency Program
Georgetown University Internal Medicine Residency Program
Physician Assistant Training Programs:
The George Washington University Physician Assistant Program
Yale School of Medicine Physician Assistant Online Program
University of Colorado Physician Assistant Program
Other clinical lectures and trainings have included:
U.S. Department of State
The George Washington University School of Public Health
National Family Medicine Residency Program
Metropolitan Washington Association of Occupational Health Nurses
DC Center for Rational Prescribing
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Howard University College of Medicine
Washington Hospital Center Internal Medicine Residency Program
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences General Preventive Medicine Residency Program
To learn more about medical education and training, contact meded@whitman-walker.org.
Behavioral Health
Through existing relationships with various colleges and universities, Whitman-Walker’s Behavioral Health department accepts a select few interns each year. To be eligible, interns must have had at least one year of masters-level coursework and/or one prior clinical internship or practicum in which direct supervised clinical care was provided. Whitman-Walker does not provide practicum experiences for students enrolled in certification programs, such as certified addiction counselors (CAC).
Clinical behavioral interns at Whitman-Walker are paired with a clinical supervisor and receive weekly group supervision and training. Behavioral interns provide individual and group psychotherapy. Students will be trained in working with LGBTQ identified individuals and groups, HIV and infectious disease, trauma-informed care, substance use disorder treatment (including harm reduction), and other evidence-based practices. Behavioral interns may also gain some specialty experience in working with gender assessment for transgender and gender-expansive individuals, trauma-informed care for youth, as well as assessment work for a variety of mental health issues. Interns may be assigned to work at more than one Whitman-Walker location, including Whitman-Walker at 1525 (NW), Max Robinson Center (SE), or Eastern Market Youth Services.
Interns come to us through established agreements with various colleges and universities. If you are interested in a clinical internship with us, check with your school’s internship placement coordinator to see if Whitman-Walker is an existing partner. Each year we have a limited amount of available intern positions. Desired qualities in behavioral intern candidates include maturity, independence, passion for our mission, and adaptability. Interview and acceptance into the program is required. Annual interviews are held in December and January for the following academic cycle.
Academic Affiliations
Psychology PhD/PsyD Programs:
Argosy University
University of Maryland College Park
Loyola University of Maryland
Howard University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Social Work MSW/PhD Programs:
National Catholic University of Social Work
Howard University
University of Maryland
Simmons University
Smith College
Counseling MA/PhD Programs:
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
George Washington University
Walden University
University of the District of Columbia
Research/Community Engagement:
University of Virginia
For any questions or to apply, contact the Manager of Behavioral Health Education and Training, Kevin Waldorf-Cruz, at bhed@whitman-walker.org.