Geisinger Health System (Wilkes-Barre) Program

The Family Medicine Residency Program offered by Geisinger Health System in Wilkes-Barre aims to prepare residents for a successful career in family medicine. Launched in 2007, the Kistler Family Medicine Residency focuses on training community-based family physicians who are equipped to serve not only the state of Pennsylvania but also the wider United States.

This residency is a three-year program that operates out of Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre Hospital, with select rotations at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. The curriculum adheres to the standards set forth by both the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (ABOFP) and the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), and it holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) 1.

Curriculum Overview

The Family Medicine Residency curriculum is structured into three phases—each year builds upon the previous one, designed to offer a broad range of experience across various medical specialties.

PGY1 Rotations

The first year primarily emphasizes acute inpatient care, providing an essential foundation in both pediatric and adult medicine. Residents will engage in the following rotations:

• Inpatient Pediatrics
• Obstetrics (two blocks)
• Inpatient Family Medicine (two blocks)
• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Orthopedics and Podiatry
• Emergency Medicine
• Gynecology
• General Surgery and Trauma
• ICU
• Newborn Service

PGY2 Rotations

The second year focuses on enhancing the skills developed during the first year, introducing continuity of care practices along with managing patients in various settings:

• Psychiatry Consult Liaison
• Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine
• Inpatient Family Medicine (three blocks)
• Pediatric Urgent Care
• Geriatrics
• Inpatient Pediatrics
• Practice Management
• Elective (two blocks)

PGY3 Rotations

The third year allows residents to focus on specific interests while transitioning to independent practice:

• Urology
• Inpatient Family Medicine (two blocks)
• Sports Medicine
• Outpatient Pediatrics
• Community Medicine
• ENT and Ophthalmology
• Elective (four blocks)

Throughout the residency, residents participate in core lectures and grand rounds, as well as a longitudinal practice management immersion. Unlike many other programs, there are no call expectations in the first year. Residents in PGY2 and PGY3 years may take call at home, with a frequency of less than 1:12.

Community Engagement and Volunteerism

Residents will engage with the local community through programs such as Volunteers in Medicine, a free clinic where they will volunteer in the PGY2 year. Additionally, they participate in providing sports physicals for high school athletes, enhancing their understanding of community needs and health disparities.

Research Opportunities

Residents are expected to complete team-based quality improvement projects annually, which they will present at Geisinger’s Annual Resident and Fellow Scholarship Days. A research project of the resident’s choosing is also required 1.

Application and Requirements

Applications are accepted through ERAS and participation in the National Resident Matching Program is mandatory. The program accepts six residents annually and does not sponsor visas, emphasizing its focus on U.S. citizens and permanent residents 3.

The application requirements include:

• Common application form via ERAS
• Medical school transcript
• USMLE or COMLEX transcripts (passage on first attempt)
• Valid ECFMG certificate for international medical graduates
• Three clinical letters of recommendation
• Personal statement of interest
• Date of medical school graduation

Competitiveness

The Geisinger Family Medicine Residency program is seen as a competitive program, open to both MD and DO graduates. The admission process values diversity in healthcare training backgrounds, allowing for both MDs and DOs to apply on equal footing, with no predefined ratio 1.

Visa Support

The program does not currently sponsor any visas for international medical graduates, thus applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents 1.

Location and Lifestyle

Located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the program offers access to a selection of recreational activities alongside a reasonable cost of living. This area is within relatively close proximity to major metropolitan centers such as New York City and Philadelphia, making it convenient for residents looking for urban engagement during their time off 1.