Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Program

The Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Program in Transitional Year is designed to provide residents with a broad clinical foundation that is essential for pursuing subspecialty training. The program offers a comprehensive experience tailored to meet individual career goals through hands-on training, starting from the first day.

Residents will practice alongside experienced teaching doctors, gaining exposure to both inpatient and outpatient care while handling routine and complex cases in a multi-specialty setting. The program includes eight required rotations, complemented by five elective specialty rotations, allowing residents to enhance their training in various medical fields such as dermatology, cardiology, and more. Residents report to a designated staff doctor for each teaching service, fostering a nurturing educational environment that prioritizes the quality of patient care and medical education 1.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The Transitional Year Residency is structured to ensure a robust clinical education that includes diverse clinical opportunities and customizable experiences aligned with each resident's interests. The curriculum features the following required rotations:

• General Medicine Ward (3 rotations)
• General Surgery
• Trauma & Emergency Center
• Pulmonary/Intensive Care Unit
• Cardiology/Critical Care Unit
• Ambulatory (select one): Urgent Care, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, or Surgery

In addition to the required rotations, residents can choose from a wide array of elective rotations that cover key specialties. This array includes Allergy, Anesthesia, Cardiology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Sports Medicine, and many others, providing ample opportunity for residents to focus on their areas of interest 3.

Research and Scholarly Activity

The program emphasizes the importance of research throughout residency, encouraging residents to engage in scholarly activities. This usually involves undertaking a research project, quality improvement initiatives, or other academic work. Each resident is supported by physician mentors and is provided access to a comprehensive research support team, including biostatisticians and media specialists, ensuring that they are well-equipped to undertake research endeavors 1.

Resident Life and Wellness

Resident life at Gundersen emphasizes not only professional but also personal growth and well-being. The program is committed to support work-life balance through various initiatives:

• Providing affordable housing situated conveniently close to the medical center.
• Creating time for personal wellness and promoting team-building activities among residents.
• Encouraging residents to partake in volunteer activities and community outreach to foster both individual and community resilience.

This focus on holistic development is aimed at ensuring that residents maintain their compassion for patients throughout their residency 2.

Visa Support

The program is international medical graduate (IMG) friendly and provides visa support for candidates. It is capable of sponsoring J-1 visas, which are typically issued for educational and training purposes. This makes the program accessible for qualified IMG applicants who meet the necessary criteria 1.

Application Process and Requirements

To apply for the Gundersen Transitional Year Residency, applicants need to submit their application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) by November 1. Eligibility for the program includes graduation from medical school within the last two years, maintaining good academic standing, and possessing acceptable United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores. Additional application requirements may be found through the American Medical Association residency and fellowship database 2.

The program is highly competitive, with a strong emphasis on matching candidates who exhibit a commitment to excellent patient care and a collaborative spirit. While the program values diversity, medical graduates from U.S. institutions, as well as osteopathic and international medical graduates, are encouraged to apply.

Training Sites

Gundersen Health System encompasses an integrated network of medical facilities across three states with over 65 clinics and six critical access hospitals. This structure ensures that residents gain a comprehensive understanding of healthcare delivery in both urban and rural settings, enhancing their medical training and preparing them for future careers in their chosen specialties 1.

Faculty and Mentorship

The faculty at Gundersen comprises highly experienced clinicians who are dedicated to fostering the next generation of physicians. Staff members are supportive mentors and actively facilitate tailored educational experiences based on residents' feedback and career aspirations. This unique teaching atmosphere enhances learning and development throughout the transitional year 4.

Alumni Success

Since its inception in 1951, the program has produced over 500 graduates who have gone on to prestigious residencies across the nation. Alumni have advanced to specialties at leading healthcare institutions, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in training competent and compassionate healthcare providers 5.