Community Health Network, Inc. Program

The Community Health Network Psychiatry Residency Program offers a comprehensive and innovative residency training experience for individuals interested in pursuing a career in psychiatry. Established in 2015 with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation, the program is dedicated to providing quality resident education combined with extensive clinical exposure. Each year, six residents are accepted through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), creating a tight-knit learning environment that fosters close interactions between residents and faculty.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning alongside a robust didactic curriculum, allowing residents to engage in a variety of mental health service experiences. These experiences are supported by a structured series of seminars and conferences that cover a multitude of topics critical to the field of psychiatry.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the Psychiatry Residency Program is designed to integrate clinical education with essential didactic instruction. Weekly educational seminars, protected didactic time, and case conferences are included throughout the residency. The didactic schedule for all four years includes:

• Grand Rounds
• Journal Club
• Patient Safety Investigations
• Bioethics Seminar
• Inpatient Case Conference (PGY 2-4)

This structured approach ensures that residents are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the field after graduation 1.

Clinical Rotations

During the four years of training, residents will rotate through various clinical sites that encompass a breadth of experiences. Key rotations include:

• Inpatient Psychiatry
• Community Psychiatry
• Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Emergency Medicine
• Neurology

These rotations occur at several key clinical sites, including the Community Hospital North and the Behavioral Health Pavilion, a dedicated 122-bed facility that offers specialized units tailored to diverse patient needs. The curriculum also offers opportunities for tailored electives, allowing residents to focus on specific interests through rotations such as advanced administrative psychiatry, disaster psychiatry, and integrative psychiatry 2.

Training Sites

The program utilizes a variety of training sites, each providing unique experiences within the realm of mental health. Notable sites include:

• Behavioral Health Pavilion - encompassing inpatient care and specialized units for child, adolescent, and older adult populations.
• Community Support Services - focusing on outpatient care for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Neurodiagnostic Institute (NDI) - providing opportunities in state hospital settings.
• Community Fairbanks Recovery Center - specializing in addiction psychiatry.

These diverse training sites allow residents to gain exposure to a wide array of psychiatric disorders and treatment modalities, ensuring they receive a well-rounded education 3.

Research and Advocacy

Residents are also encouraged to engage in research and advocacy activities that contribute to their professional development. Opportunities include participation in quality improvement initiatives and community outreach efforts. Additionally, residents are supported in conducting scholarly activities, often culminating in presentations at conferences and the development of original research projects 4.

Applications and Competitiveness

The program seeks candidates who exhibit preparedness, personal qualities, and a genuine passion for psychiatry. Applicants are chosen based on criteria such as academic credentials, communication skills, and motivation. Each application must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and the program does not support employment-based visa sponsorship 5.

While the program is competitive, it maintains an ethos of inclusivity, welcoming applications from DO and IMG candidates and evaluating each application fairly without discrimination based on sex, race, or background. Special requirements may include guidelines around graduation year and limited failed STEP exams, thus making this program approachable for a wide range of applicants 6.

Support and Community

The Community Health Network Psychiatry Residency Program prides itself on fostering a supportive community among residents and faculty. Many past residents highlight the collaborative and collegial atmosphere as a critical component of their training experience. The program encourages residents to build strong relationships with their peers and mentors, creating an environment conducive to personal and professional growth 7.