Ascension Illinois/Saint Francis Program

The Ascension Saint Francis Transitional Year Residency provides a comprehensive one-year clinical training experience divided into 13 four-week rotation blocks. This program is specifically structured for medical school graduates who are preparing for advanced training in their chosen specialty fields or clinical careers that necessitate a clinical base year.

This transitional year is ideal for medical graduates who desire to acquire fundamental clinical education as a prerequisite for advanced specialties such as Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology, or Anesthesiology. Additionally, it caters to those planning to serve as general medical officers in public health organizations or military settings, as well as those needing to transition into administrative medicine or non-clinical research.

Program Overview

Ascension Saint Francis is a licensed acute care facility with 270 beds, located in Evanston, Illinois. The residency site has a robust training environment with nearly 100 residents actively engaged in various residency programs. In addition to the Transitional Year, Ascension Saint Francis supports categorical programs in medicine and diagnostic radiology, along with consortium programs in emergency medicine and obstetrics and gynecology. The facility also collaborates with the University of Illinois Chicago for general surgery residency training.

Curriculum

The curriculum comprises mandatory rotations totaling 13 blocks, each lasting four weeks. Mandatory rotations include:

• Internal Medicine: 6 blocks (24 weeks)
• Surgery-Trauma: 1 block (4 weeks)
• Emergency Medicine: 1 block (4 weeks)
• Ambulatory Primary Care: 1 block (4 weeks)

Residents must choose two additional blocks from select areas in medicine or a critical care rotation. Selective options include specialties such as Cardiology, Pulmonology, Hematology-Oncology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Disease. There are also two elective blocks with further opportunities for rotations in Anesthesiology, Diagnostic Radiology, and other subspecialties.

Application Process

The Ascension Saint Francis Transitional Year Residency participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and accepts applications via the AAMC's Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The application deadline is set for December 1, with special considerations for individuals with military deferments or early match results. Applicants are encouraged to contact the program coordinator for potential late applications in these situations.

To apply, candidates must submit a complete ERAS application that includes:

• Medical School Transcript
• USMLE Transcript
• Dean's Letter or MSPE
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Curriculum Vitae

Minimum criteria for applicants set by the program include achieving a USMLE Step 1 score of at least 200 and being no more than five years post-graduation from medical school.

Visa Support and Requirements

Ascension Saint Francis offers visa sponsorships for H-1B and J-1 visas, making it a viable option for international medical graduates. Although foreign medical graduates are welcomed, possessing an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification is preferred, but not mandatory for the interview process.

Salary and Benefits

The program ensures competitive resident salaries, which are regularly reviewed and adjusted based on cost of living changes. For postgraduate year 1, the salary is $60,623, with incremental increases for subsequent years up to $73,300 in year six. Comprehensive insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as disability and medical liability insurance, is provided alongside time-off allowances for vacation and educational purposes.

Additional benefits include:

• 20 days of vacation/sick/educational leave
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) stipends
• Child care services
• Fitness center memberships
• Access to a 24-hour library and online resources