BayCare Health System (Morton Plant North Bay Hospital) Program

Overview

The Morton Plant North Bay Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program is a community-care focused training program dedicated to delivering essential medical services to families within the Tampa Bay area. Operated under BayCare, which is the leading not-for-profit health system in West Central Florida, the program merges resources from its 16 hospitals, BayCare Medical Group, urgent care facilities, and a comprehensive network of ambulatory services including imaging, labs, and home health care.

As a comprehensive three-year program, it is situated in Pasco County, Florida, offering ten resident positions annually. The intimate hospital setting in New Port Richey ensures that residents receive personalized mentorship and hands-on experience while managing a diverse patient population. This setting promotes close collaboration with attending physicians and nurtures a focused clinical education.

Both inpatient and outpatient curriculums are structured to enhance learner engagement; the inpatient curriculum adheres to the ABIM blueprint through the Decker curriculum while the outpatient curriculum utilizes the John Hopkins ambulatory format. This dual approach cultivates active learning among residents, promoting maximum retention and clinical application.

Applicant Criteria

The program accepts applications via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and utilizes the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for selection. Applicants must ensure the inclusion of the following items within their electronic application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Medical school transcripts
• Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE) or Dean’s letter
• 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 are not accepted initially. The program emphasizes a focus on applicants who demonstrate readiness for rigorous training within the internal medicine specialty.

Curriculum

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

Key experiential components during residency include essential rotations in cardiology, infectious disease, endocrinology, geriatric medicine, gastroenterology, neurology, hematology/oncology, addiction medicine, nephrology, hospice & palliative care, pulmonary medicine, and rheumatology. Significant emphasis is placed on individualized education through flexible electives, allowing residents to tailor their educational experience to fit career aspirations.

Didactic Curriculum

The didactic curriculum encompasses the Noon Report, a daily session aimed at developing clinical reasoning skills through case presentations, fostering discussions among residents and faculty. To reinforce learning, specific presentations including journal clubs, morbidity & mortality reports, and grand rounds are utilized.

Additionally, an Academic Half-Day (AHD) serves as an alternative teaching structure, convening weekly for 3 to 4 hours to cover crucial topics needed for well-rounded medical proficiency. Subjects addressed in the AHD include internal medicine board review, subspecialty topics, wellness, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Faculty

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

Beyond mentorship, faculty members are involved in cutting-edge research and engage in projects aimed at improving healthcare delivery, thereby placing a crucial emphasis on the continuous evolution of medical education.

Visa Support

The program initially does not accept applications requiring J1 or H1B visa sponsorship, thereby focusing on individuals who are eligible to begin residency under the current visa instructions. Future amendments to visa procedures may occur, hence applicants are encouraged to remain updated on requirements.

Competitiveness

This residency program is designed to be rigorous and competitive, drawing top-tier applicants. While it maintains a standard for evaluating candidates, it also appreciates diversity and inclusion within its applicant pool, welcoming applications from both DO and IMG candidates who meet the eligibility criteria.

Salary and Benefits

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