Atlantic Health System/Overlook Medical Center Program

The Overlook Family Medicine Residency Program, part of Atlantic Health System, is designed to provide residents a comprehensive education in family medicine honed through hands-on experience in diverse settings. Established with a foundation of high-quality training, the residency program stands as a beacon of family-centered care, medical innovation, and community outreach.

Program Overview

With roots extending back to 1973, the program has evolved to meet the demands of an ever-changing healthcare landscape. The program emphasizes health maintenance, disease prevention, and population health, making family medicine a pivotal component in improving care quality and addressing health inequities across populations. The program operates two community-based Family Medicine Centers, allowing residents to engage directly with a diverse patient base, enhancing their clinical skills and cultural competence 1.

Situated just 20 miles from New York City, the program offers the full spectrum of medical education within a supportive community atmosphere, utilizing advanced technologies commonly found in larger university programs. Its affiliation with Atlantic Health System provides substantial resources for residents, fostering an environment where medical professionals can flourish both personally and professionally 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum comprises a variety of clinical rotations designed to develop a well-rounded educational experience for residents. Key components of the residency curriculum include:

• Adult Emergency Medicine
• Behavioral Science
• Community Medicine
• Palliative Care
• Sports Medicine
• Medical Humanities
• Global Health
• Research

Each resident engages in rotations that span various medical disciplines. These rotations not only utilize the state-of-the-art facilities at Overlook Medical Center but also include opportunities to work in real-world community settings, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care. The program's commitment to a longitudinal learning experience enables residents to experience multiple aspects of family medicine throughout their training 3.

Unique Features

The program distinguishes itself with several unique learning opportunities and concentrations. Residents have the chance to participate in:

• Palliative Care: In-depth didactic and clinical experiences, including collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, ethics committees, and engaging in hospice care.
• Sports Medicine: Monthly conferences and workshops to enhance procedural skills relevant to sports medicine practice.
• Global Health: Offering funding for residents to engage in health care delivery in diverse settings, fostering a commitment to medical volunteerism globally.
• Medical Humanities: Integration of subjects such as ethics and narrative medicine into the training regime, enhancing the understanding of patient experiences 1.

Research Opportunities

Research plays an integral role in the residency program, with residents at Overlook encouraged to engage in scholarly activities. Each resident is required to conceive and execute a research project that not only contributes to their own educational growth but also potentially benefits the broader community. Support in formulating research designs, collecting data, and navigating Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes is readily available, further enriched by funds for presenting at conferences 6.

Community Commitment and Faculty Support

The faculty at Overlook Family Medicine Residency possess a broad range of expertise and are dedicated to mentoring residents. The program's community-based approach enables residents to connect with underserved populations while honing their skills. The curriculum intentionally focuses on addressing social determinants of health and enhancing community engagement, all under the guidance of experienced faculty who strive to foster a supportive learning environment 4.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

The application process for the Overlook Family Medicine Residency is thorough and selective, aimed at attracting dedicated individuals who reflect the program's commitment to community-oriented family medicine. Key elements of the application include:

• Completion of an accredited MD or DO program
• Superior performance on standardized examinations such as USMLE or COMLEX
• A strong commitment to primary care and societal health issues

Notably, the program is regarded as both highly competitive and DO-friendly, welcoming applicants from various medical backgrounds and ensuring a diverse cohort each year 1.

Visa Support

For international medical graduates, the program provides necessary support for visa sponsorship, particularly for J-1 and H-1B visas. This facilitates the entry and continuation of qualified candidates into the residency pathway, reflecting the program’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity within their trainee population.

Loan Repayment Programs

To assist with the financial burden of medical education, the residency offers a Physician Loan Assistance Program. This initiative provides up to $110,000 in medical school loan repayment for eligible residents who commit to working within Atlantic Health System for their residency duration 5.