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Conway Regional Health System Program
Overview
Conway Regional Health System offers a Family Medicine Residency Program aimed at preparing medical graduates to provide high-quality patient care in a community setting. The program is situated in Conway, Arkansas, which is part of an eight-county service area. Conway Regional emphasizes comprehensive health services including family medicine, internal medicine, and more specialized care. With a strong focus on developing the necessary clinical skills in a supportive environment, the program prepares residents for successful careers in family medicine.
Curriculum Overview
The curriculum for the Family Medicine Residency is structured over three years and is designed to give residents a balanced exposure to clinical training. This program incorporates various rotations across primary care and specialty fields, facilitating comprehensive learning:
- First Year Residents: Residents will engage in adult inpatient medicine, women's health, pediatrics, surgery, and cardiology, among other areas.
- Second Year Residents: Training encompasses emergency medicine, orthopedic and sports medicine, inpatient and outpatient procedures, and quality improvement projects.
- Third Year Residents: Focus areas continue to include advanced inpatient care, community health, leadership, and population health.
Didactic sessions reinforce clinical learning with structured time for conferences, workshops, and case discussions. Additionally, there is an emphasis on scholar activities like journal clubs and research presentations throughout the training period, promoting engagement in evidence-based medicine and lifelong learning.
Training Sites and Rotations
The primary training facility for the residency is the Conway Regional Medical Center, a 150-bed acute care facility. Residents also train at multiple locations:
- **Dardanelle Regional Medical Center:** Provides residents exposure to rural healthcare settings.
- **Arkansas Children's Hospital:** Focuses on pediatric training and care.
- **CHI St. Vincent Infirmary:** Offers additional exposure to advanced medical care and treatment options.
Other locations include partnerships with Conway Behavioral Health and Central Arkansas Pediatrics, ensuring a well-rounded experience across family medicine.
Research and Professional Development
Conway Regional strongly encourages residents to engage in scholarly activities. Support for research, publication, and presentations at local and national conferences is provided. Residents will work alongside faculty to develop scholarly projects, complete presentations, and contribute to quality improvement initiatives throughout the program. This emphasis on research aims to encourage a scientific approach to medical practice and enriches the educational environment.
Visa Support and Applicant Requirements
The program welcomes graduates from all medical schools; however, it is important to note that Conway Regional does not support J-1 or H-1B visas for international medical graduates. Applicants need to provide documentation of a valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) as part of their application. The program prefers applicants who have been out of medical school for no more than three years and allows for a maximum of three attempts on USMLE or COMLEX exams.
The application to the Family Medicine residency must be completed through ERAS. A complete application includes a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts.
Community and Lifestyle in Conway
Conway, Arkansas, offers a welcoming community atmosphere combined with recreational and professional opportunities. The city is recognized for its low cost of living, quality healthcare facilities, and vibrant local culture. With access to outdoor activities and community services, Conway enables residents to enjoy a balanced lifestyle during their training.
Competitiveness and Diversity
The Family Medicine Residency Program at Conway is competitive but also recognizes the value brought by diverse backgrounds, including DO graduates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs). The program emphasizes inclusivity and values a wide range of experiences and perspectives among its residents.
Employment Benefits
Residents are offered a competitive salary and access to a comprehensive benefits package. This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, along with opportunities for continuing education and professional development. Salaries for residents are designed to align with post-graduate education levels, starting at approximately $58,170 for PGY-1 and increasing progressively each year.
Web sources
SmartPick
Program data
ACGME History [3]
Program
Program Size
4, 4, 4 (3 years) [1]
Accreditation Status
Continued Accreditation
(Effective: January 28, 2026)
Composition [2]
Training
Fellowship Rate:9% [2]
Faculty-to-Residents Ratio:1.5X [1]
Residents Career Path [2]
Quality of Life
First Year Paid Sick Leave: 5 days [1]
First Year Paid Vacation: 15 days [1]
First Year Salary: $60,497 [1]
First Year Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty: 24 hours [1]
First Year Average Weekly Hours: 50 hours [1]
Admission
USMLE Step 2 Score: 218–252 [2]
Visa Sponsorship:-- [2]
YOG Cutoff:3 [1]
Race / Ethnicity
Gender
Incoming Schools
46%
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
23%
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
8%
Osmania Medical College
8%
Jinnah Sindh Medical University
* Multiple schools share the same admissions rate.
Rotation Duration by Site
Benchmarks
Match & stats
2026 Residency Applicant & Interview Insights
Signals
Hometown State
Medical School State
Step 1 Fail
Step 2 Fail
Applicant Type
Note: The AIR (Applicant Interview Rate) is calculated as the percentage of applicants in each category who were offered interviews. A higher AIR suggests stronger alignment with program preferences, indicating a greater likelihood of the program favoring applicants in this category.
USMLE STEP 2 CK Score [2]
COMLEX Level 2 Score [2]
Match History [4]
Roster
Location
Conway, AR [5]
- Above the national average
- Below the national average
- Similar to the national average
Housing — Rental prices [6]
Rental prices
Crime — All violent offences [7]
Rate per 100,000 residents
Living in Conway, AR
Crime Rate and Safety
Conway is generally considered a safe city with a lower crime rate compared to national averages. It has a strong community feel.
Fun Activities
Conway offers various outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and fishing due to its proximity to the Arkansas River. There are also cultural events, live music, and local festivals throughout the year.
Climate
Conway has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Be prepared for humidity and occasional thunderstorms.
Races and Population
Conway has a diverse population with a mix of different races and ethnicities, creating a vibrant community.
Education
Conway is home to the University of Central Arkansas, which contributes to the vibrant academic atmosphere in the city.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Conway is relatively affordable compared to larger cities, making it an attractive option for residents.
Proximity to Bigger Cities
Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, is about a 30-minute drive from Conway. Little Rock offers additional amenities, entertainment options, and cultural experiences.
Pros
- Safe community
- affordable cost of living
- outdoor recreational opportunities.
Cons
- Limited nightlife options
- humidity in summers.
FAQ
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Nearby programs
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References
1. Freida - https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/1200400729
2. Residency Explorer - https://www.residencyexplorer.org/Program/GetByIdWithMedicalSpecialty/58f056c7-477c-8e9c-a7c9-ca0993662669
3. ACGME - Accreditation Data System (ADS) - https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search
4. NRMP Results and Data: 2022-2026 Main Residency Match - https://www.nrmp.org/match-data/2026/03/program-results-2022-2026/
5. United States Census Bureau - https://data.census.gov/profile/City,_VS?g=160XX00US0515190
6. Zillow Research - Observed Rent Index (ZORI) - https://www.zillow.com/research/data/
7. FBI - Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (Uniform Crime Reporting Program) - https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr