BayCare Health System (Morton Plant North Bay Hospital) Program

Overview

The Morton Plant North Bay Hospital Internal Medicine ResidencyProgram is a community-care focused training program dedicated todelivering essential medical services to families within the TampaBay area. Operated under BayCare, which is the leadingnot-for-profit health system in West Central Florida, the programmerges resources from its 16 hospitals, BayCare Medical Group,urgent care facilities, and a comprehensive network of ambulatoryservices including imaging, labs, and home health care.

As a comprehensive three-year program, it is situated in PascoCounty, Florida, offering ten resident positions annually. Theintimate hospital setting in New Port Richey ensures that residentsreceive personalized mentorship and hands-on experience whilemanaging a diverse patient population. This setting promotes closecollaboration with attending physicians and nurtures a focusedclinical education.

Both inpatient and outpatient curriculums are structured toenhance learner engagement; the inpatient curriculum adheres to theABIM blueprint through the Decker curriculum while the outpatientcurriculum utilizes the John Hopkins ambulatory format. This dualapproach cultivates active learning among residents, promotingmaximum retention and clinical application.

Applicant Criteria

The program accepts applications via the Electronic ResidencyApplication Service (ERAS) and utilizes the National ResidentMatching Program (NRMP) for selection. Applicants must ensure theinclusion of the following items within their electronicapplication:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Medical school transcripts
• Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE) or Dean’sletter
• Official USMLE (Step 1, Step 2CK, Step 2CS) or COMLEX (Level 1,Level 2-CE, Level 2-PE)
• Three letters of recommendation

Notably, applications requiring J1 or H1B visa sponsorship arenot accepted initially. The program emphasizes a focus onapplicants who demonstrate readiness for rigorous training withinthe internal medicine specialty.

Curriculum

Morton Plant North Bay Hospital has established a 4+1 rotationschedule, facilitating meaningful relationships between residentsand faculty, thereby ensuring comprehensive assessment andfeedback. This curriculum structure involves a four-week inpatientor outpatient rotation followed by a week in continuity clinic,repeated over three years. Residents are integrated into ten 4-weekblocks across all program years on the general medicine wards,fostering a collaborative environment with a consistent group ofattending physicians.

Key experiential components during residency include essentialrotations in cardiology, infectious disease, endocrinology,geriatric medicine, gastroenterology, neurology,hematology/oncology, addiction medicine, nephrology, hospice &palliative care, pulmonary medicine, and rheumatology. Significantemphasis is placed on individualized education through flexibleelectives, allowing residents to tailor their educationalexperience to fit career aspirations.

Didactic Curriculum

The didactic curriculum encompasses the Noon Report, a dailysession aimed at developing clinical reasoning skills through casepresentations, fostering discussions among residents and faculty.To reinforce learning, specific presentations including journalclubs, morbidity & mortality reports, and grand rounds areutilized.

Additionally, an Academic Half-Day (AHD) serves as analternative teaching structure, convening weekly for 3 to 4 hoursto cover crucial topics needed for well-rounded medicalproficiency. Subjects addressed in the AHD include internalmedicine board review, subspecialty topics, wellness, anddiversity, equity, and inclusion.

Faculty

The program prides itself on a dedicated faculty team,highlighted by leaders in medical education who strive to innovatecurriculum design and training methodologies. Each resident isassigned a mentor throughout their three years of training,creating opportunities for personalized guidance and relationshipdevelopment within the clinical environment.

Beyond mentorship, faculty members are involved in cutting-edgeresearch and engage in projects aimed at improving healthcaredelivery, thereby placing a crucial emphasis on the continuousevolution of medical education.

Visa Support

The program initially does not accept applications requiring J1or H1B visa sponsorship, thereby focusing on individuals who areeligible to begin residency under the current visa instructions.Future amendments to visa procedures may occur, hence applicantsare encouraged to remain updated on requirements.

Competitiveness

This residency program is designed to be rigorous andcompetitive, drawing top-tier applicants. While it maintains astandard for evaluating candidates, it also appreciates diversityand inclusion within its applicant pool, welcoming applicationsfrom both DO and IMG candidates who meet the eligibilitycriteria.

Salary and Benefits

The program offers a comprehensive benefits package thatincludes competitive salaries and support for health insurance,retirement plans, and other resources aimed at ensuring residents'well-being throughout their training.