Dr. Epstein Named Family Medicine Educator of the Year

Dr. Epstein Named Family Medicine Educator of the Year

The Washington Academy of Family Physicians has named Rob Epstein, MD, as Family Medicine Educator of the Year for 2022. The prestigious award is given annually to recognize Academy members for excellence in teaching, development of innovative teaching models, or implementation of outstanding educational programs.

In nominating Dr. Epstein, current colleagues and former students cited his dedication in bringing training opportunities to the Olympic Peninsula and his passion for patient care. They noted he was among the first physicians in the region to offer medication treatment for opioid use disorder.

Dr. Epstein is currently program director of the Swedish Port Angeles Rural Training Track program through the Swedish Cherry Hill Family Medicine Residency program; the Port Angeles site director for the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) clerkship site; an assistant clinical professor with UWSOM; and a full-spectrum family physician specializing in high-risk obstetrics and endoscopy.

In addition to those roles, he is a member of the Board of The RTT Collaborative, which supports health professions education in rural areas. He is a former National Institute for Program Directors development fellow and completed the University of Washington Family Medicine Residency Network Faculty Development Program.