ECU Health Medical Center Program

The Family Medicine Residency Programs at ECU Health Medical Center / East Carolina University offer both standard and rural tracks that are designed to prepare residents for a broad range of practice settings. The program emphasizes comprehensive care with a focus on complex, high-acuity patients and offers the support of a nationally-known affiliate when seeking post-graduation practice opportunities.

Application Criteria:

• The program welcomes applications from current US or International medical students and graduates.
• Applicants should have graduated from medical school within the past 2 years.
• International medical graduates must have a valid ECFMG certification.
• Eligibility for the program includes being a US citizen or permanent resident, or being eligible for a J-1 Visa.
• The program requires that USMLE Part I (or COMLEX) and Part II (or COMLEX) be passed within 2 attempts, by the time the rank order list is submitted to the NRMP.
• Three letters of recommendation are required, with at least one from a Family Medicine physician.
• A clearly stated commitment to family medicine and primary care is essential.

The programs offered include a strong commitment to diversity and seek to reflect the community they serve, highlighting the importance of various cultural experiences. Residents in both the standard and rural tracks have access to extensive resources of a large tertiary care medical center while enjoying the community feel of the outpatient clinical settings.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Exposure to a wide variety of family medicine practices with a focus on complex patient care.
• Faculty with specialized training and interests in areas such as women's health, geriatrics, sports medicine, and rural medicine.
• Opportunities for research and fellowships in Geriatrics and Sports Medicine.
• Comprehensive procedural skills training.

Rural Program:

• Focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities of rural community-based clinical training.
• Residents spend significant time at ECU Health Medical Center in the first year and at designated rural sites in subsequent years, providing continuity of care in those communities.

Support and Training:

• Highly experienced clinical educators and mentorship.
• A supportive, family medicine-focused environment.
• Integrated teaching sites and community rotations.
• Opportunities for moonlighting and wide variety of electives.

Resident Life:

• Diversity and inclusiveness are celebrated, with a focus on creating a supportive environment for all residents.
• The program encourages forming a close-knit resident family that values integrity, compassion, and diversity.

Locations:

• Main teaching sites include the ECU Family Medicine Center and ECU Health Medical Center, among others.

The program begins reviewing applications via ERAS in September and conducts interviews from late October through January, with all interviews being conducted virtually.

For those interested in applying, a commitment to family medicine, primary care, and a desire to work within diverse community settings—especially in rural or underserved areas—is crucial. The program offers a rich blend of academic resources, community-based experiences, and a supportive learning environment, making it a compelling choice for those aspiring to become well-rounded family physicians.