Jul 1, 2018
HCA Florida Healthcare/USF Morsani College of Medicine GME - Tampa South Program
Overview
The HCA Florida Healthcare/USF Morsani College of Medicine offers the Transitional Year Residency Program based at HCA Florida Blake Hospital, a pivotal facility well-regarded for its comprehensive training in graduate medical education (GME). This one-year program is ACGME-accredited and provides 13 positions annually, specializing in preparing residents for subsequent specialty training while ensuring a well-rounded clinical experience.
HCA Florida Blake Hospital is a 383-bed tertiary referral hospital that houses a Level II Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, and Burn Center. Located on Florida's beautiful west coast, the hospital is adjacent to a multitude of recreational activities in nearby Tampa and Orlando, including beaches and cultural venues. The affiliation with the USF Morsani College of Medicine further enhances the training by providing comprehensive resources and educational support.
Program Structure
The Transitional Year Residency includes core rotations and elective opportunities, allowing residents to engage in both inpatient and ambulatory settings. Residents train alongside internal medicine residents, gaining exposure to various specialties including:
- Internal Medicine
- Ambulatory Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Intensive Care
- Cardiology (inpatient and outpatient)
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology/Oncology
- Neurology
- Nephrology
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Anesthesia
- Burn/Plastic Surgery
- Dermatology
- Ophthalmology
- Radiology
- Trauma Surgery
- Quality and Administration
This structured rotation allows residents to cultivate essential skills required for future posts while meeting the ACGME requirement of 28 weeks of core clinical training.
Clinical Experience and Educational Environment
The program aims to not only meet the clinical education requirements but also foster a nurturing environment for residents. Faculty members are dedicated to mentorship, providing individualized support tailored to the educational needs of each participant. The program emphasizes creating a culture of safety, quality improvement, and effective patient-centered care.
Integration of a Quality Department rotation further broadens residents' exposure to administrative tasks and quality improvement initiatives, preparing them for challenges in medical practice.
Research Opportunities
Residents at HCA Florida Blake Hospital are encouraged to engage in research activities. The program supports scholarly endeavors, facilitating mentorship between faculty and residents in clinical, translational, and quality improvement research projects. This exposure helps residents understand the importance of evidence-based practice in patient care.
Visa and Application Support
For international medical graduates, the program provides visa support primarily for those requiring a J-1 visa. It is crucial for applicants to comply with specific criteria, such as passing medical licensing exams (USMLE/COMLEX) on the first attempt and acquiring clinical experience in the United States.
Benefits and Competitive Aspects
The residency provides a competitive salary along with robust benefits packages, including medical, dental, and malpractice insurance. Other benefits encompass paid time off, educational stipends, and opportunities for professional development through conferences. The program is known to be supportive of D.O. and IMG applicants, making it a friendly choice for diverse candidates.
Special Application Requirements
Applicants are typically required to have graduated from medical school within the past three years. Additionally, the program adheres to traditional application protocols, necessitating submission via the ERAS system with a completed application, three letters of recommendation, and requisite exam scores.
In summary, the Transitional Year Residency Program at HCA Florida Blake Hospital under USF's Morsani College of Medicine provides a comprehensive and enriching environment for medical graduates, preparing them for their future roles as competent physicians.
Web sources
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Program data
ACGME History [3]
Program
Program Size
5, 0, 0 (1 years) [1]
Accreditation Status
Continued Accreditation
(Effective: December 4, 2025)
Composition [2]
--
Training
Fellowship Rate:95% [2]
Faculty-to-Residents Ratio:3X [1]
Residents Career Path [2]
Quality of Life
First Year Paid Sick Leave: --
First Year Paid Vacation: 20 days [1]
First Year Salary: $63,149 [1]
First Year Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty: 12 hours [1]
First Year Average Weekly Hours: 60 hours [1]
Admission
USMLE Step 2 Score: --
Visa Sponsorship:J1 [2]
YOG Cutoff:2 [1]
Race / Ethnicity
No race data available.
Gender
No gender data available.
Incoming Schools
No incoming school data available.
Rotation Duration by Site
Benchmarks
Match & stats
2026 Residency Applicant & Interview Insights
No 2026 Applicant & Interview Insights available for this program.
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]
No data available for USMLE
STEP 2 CK Score
COMLEX Level 2 Score [2]
No data available for COMLEX
Level 2 Score
Match History [4]
Roster
Location
Largo, FL [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 Largo, FL
Largo, FL is located in Pinellas County, known for its pleasant suburban feel and proximity to beautiful beaches along the Gulf Coast. Below are key aspects of living in Largo:
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References
1. Freida - https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/9991100245
2. Residency Explorer - https://www.residencyexplorer.org/Program/GetByIdWithMedicalSpecialty/681a2c10-e591-7c13-5862-a5dcec50a08b
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=010XX00US
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