HCA Healthcare LewisGale Hospital-Montgomery/VCOM Program

The Family Medicine Residency Program at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, under the auspices of HCA Healthcare, is dedicated to preparing the next generation of physicians, particularly emphasizing primary care and sports medicine. Situated in Blacksburg, Virginia, the program aims to build not only competent medical practitioners but also leaders in the healthcare field. The program's mission encapsulates HCA Healthcare's focus on enhancing human life through superior care and education.

As a 146-bed acute care facility, LewisGale Hospital Montgomery offers comprehensive medical services. The residency program is integrated with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), providing a rich, interconnected educational environment where residents can collaborate with medical students and faculty from VCOM.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum consists of a series of rotations designed to provide a broad base of experiences over the three years of residency. The requirements differ for each year:

PGY-1

Residents must complete a minimum of 40 weeks in continuity clinic focused on handling at least 150 patients, along with rotations in inpatient medicine (3 blocks), ICU (1 block), outpatient pediatrics (1 block), surgery (1 block), and several others including OB, cardiology, and electives.

PGY-2

This year includes continuity clinic with 40 weeks and interactions with 750 patients, also incorporating more specialized experiences such as neuro-muscular medicine, outpatient pediatrics, and rural clinic rotations.

PGY-3

The final year requires continuity clinic work with 40 weeks and a record of 1650 patient encounters, rounded out with electives and specialized rotations in public health and geriatrics.

Throughout all three years, residents are expected to engage in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and sports medicine, highlighting the program’s commitment to comprehensive training in family medicine and its allied specialties. The curriculum adheres to ACGME recommendations for Family Medicine.

Educational Environment

The program prides itself on offering a rigorous educational experience, emphasizing didactic learning through weekly board reviews, noon lectures, and a monthly Journal Club. The residents also participate in a variety of extracurricular scholarly activities, research opportunities, and quality improvement projects that can be showcased at various conferences.

Residents gain valuable experiences through simulation training in a state-of-the-art lab at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery. This hands-on approach allows for greater integration of practical skills into clinical practice.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Active participation in research is expected from interns and residents, with support from full-time research partners available through the HCA system. Interns are tasked with formulating research ideas by January of their first year, providing ample opportunity to engage in scholarly activities throughout their residency.

Faculty and Mentorship

The faculty consists of experienced professionals who provide both educational leadership and guidance to residents. Notable faculty members have expertise in various domains, including primary care sports medicine, which further enriches the training experience by exposing residents to specialized knowledge and practices.

Application Considerations

The program accepts both MD and DO candidates, promoting an inclusive educational environment. Special application requirements specify that applicants should not have been out of medical school for more than two years, and while the program does not set strict cutoffs for COMLEX and USMLE scores, they consider candidates' overall skills and professional achievements during the selection process.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

Interestingly, the Family Medicine Residency Program does not sponsor visa applications, which may limit the pool of applicants who require such support. However, the program welcomes international medical graduates (IMGs), creating a diverse cohort of residents.

The program typically demonstrates competitiveness, emphasizing a holistic review process for applications rather than strict scoring metrics, allowing for a broader evaluation of potential candidates.

Living in the Area

Lodging options for residents are plentiful and affordable, with various choices depending on preference, such as apartments, condos, or houses. The proximity to Virginia Tech, outdoor recreational activities, and a vibrant community atmosphere creates an inviting environment for residents.

This residency program reflects a commitment to high-quality care and comprehensive training, preparing residents for successful careers in family medicine with an emphasis on sports medicine.