HCA Healthcare/St. Mark's Hospital Program

The HCA Healthcare/St. Mark's Hospital Family Medicine Residency in Salt Lake City, Utah, offers an innovative and comprehensive training program emphasizing a clinic-based learning approach. This unique residency enables residents to see their own patients in the Family Medicine Center five days per week, ensuring a 90% continuity of care. This contrasts with the 50% continuity that most residency programs provide.

Residents are part of a close-knit community due to the program's structure, which admits only four residents per year, fostering close interactions with faculty and community physicians. The independent nature of the program, away from university or corporate affiliations, is designed to enrich learning experiences and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Additionally, the program supports eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Key aspects of the program include:

• Clinic Every Day: Residents have their own primary-care clinic every weekday, providing a hands-on learning environment that's unparalleled in residency education. This model allows for an extensive range of primary care problem-solving experiences, patient and family engagement, and efficient patient load management.

• Independent Learning and Electives: The program supports an adult learning model and offers 9 months of elective time, allowing residents to tailor their education according to their interests and career goals.

• Unopposed Community-based Training: As residents are the primary learners at St. Mark's Hospital, they receive undivided attention and training opportunities from specialty providers. The hospital, a 278-bed facility, has won national awards in cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics.

• Location: The program takes full advantage of Utah's natural beauty and recreational opportunities, providing an excellent quality of life outside the clinic.

• Curriculum and Competencies: With a comprehensive and diverse curriculum, residents are equipped with the skills needed for successful careers in a variety of settings and fellowships. The program supports a balanced autonomy and supervision learning method, ensuring residents gain independence with a safety net.

• Supportive Environment: The program offers a competitive salary and benefits package, ample paid time off, and support for conferences, moonlighting, and even training abroad. The faculty have a wide range of interests from international and refugee medicine to sports and women’s health.

Regarding the application process, specific requirements such as the year of graduation, STEP exam attempts, or visa support were not explicitly mentioned, suggesting potential applicants should review current ERAS submissions guidelines or inquire directly with the program for the most accurate eligibility criteria and details on the application process. The program indicates it does not sponsor J-1 visas.

This residency is distinguished by its emphasis on creating highly skilled, autonomous practitioners ready to transition into various medical practices and fellowships. It is designed for residents who desire a hands-on, patient-centered training experience in a stunning location with significant opportunities for personal and professional growth.