Aurora Health Care Program

The Aurora Transitional Year Residency is structured to provide a comprehensive medical education experience, equipping residents for future specialty training across various fields. Established in 1969, the program continues to enhance its reputation as a solid grounding for residents pursuing diverse specialty careers, such as Anesthesiology, Dermatology, and Radiology.

The program's overarching mission emphasizes broad-based clinical training, aspiring to prepare residents for multiple medical disciplines. Notably, the residency offers significant curricular flexibility, accommodating residents’ unique educational and career aspirations. This flexibility allows residents to engage in both required and elective rotations, tailoring their experience to meet individual goals 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum encompasses a wide range of clinical training, primarily focused on core competencies established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). To fulfill the requirements, residents complete 28 weeks of fundamental clinical rotations, including:

• 4 blocks in Aurora St. Luke’s Internal Medicine Teaching Service
• 1 block in the Internal Medicine Teaching Service Wards at Aurora Sinai Medical Center or in the Medical Intensive Care Unit
• 1 block in Ambulatory Care
• 1 block in Emergency Medicine
• 6 blocks in elective rotations

Elective rotations at the program include specialties such as Cardiology, Neurology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and several others based on individual interests, augmenting the clinical training with personalized experiences 2.

Training Sites

Residents primarily train at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, known for being Wisconsin’s largest private hospital. Additionally, residents may have the opportunity to rotate at Aurora Sinai Medical Center, specifically for the Internal Medicine teaching service and elective experiences. This dual-site approach enriches the training landscape by offering diverse patient populations and medical cases 3.

Research Opportunities

Although a focus on clinical education prevails, residents at Aurora are encouraged to engage in research activities. Faculty members are actively involved in ongoing research initiatives, providing mentorship and support for residents wishing to contribute to scholarly projects or pursue academic interests 4.

Resident Life and Diversity

The residency welcomes candidates from across the United States and internationally, fostering a diverse learning environment. Residents participate in community-oriented programs and are encouraged to pursue personal interests alongside their medical training, contributing to a balanced and enriching residency experience. Through video tours and Q&A sessions featuring current residents, prospective applicants can gain insights into the program's collegial atmosphere 5.

Application Process

Application to the Aurora Transitional Year Residency occurs primarily through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) via the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Applicants are reminded to include critical documents such as personal statements, letters of recommendation, and USMLE or COMLEX transcripts. Notably, the program does not publish minimum score requirements for Step exams, favoring a holistic review of each application 6.

Visa Support

The program does not sponsor H visas nor does it accommodate J-1/J-2 visa applications through ECFMG, which is a crucial consideration for international medical graduates 7.

Competitiveness

The Aurora Transitional Year Residency is known for its competitive application process, consistently attracting highly qualified candidates. Those interested in applying should be aware that the program does not set aside specific positions for DOs or international medical graduates but welcomes applicants who demonstrate exceptional qualifications 8.

Salary and Benefits

The program provides a competitive salary along with comprehensive benefits, which include educational stipends amounting to $450 for books and resources, as well as a $1,000 conference stipend available upon the program director's discretion. This investment in resident education underscores the program's commitment to supporting its residents through their training 9.