Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Program

Overview

The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV offers a comprehensive Rural Family Medicine Residency Program designed to train residents in the nuances of primary care within underserved and rural communities. Established in 2014 and fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the program provides a robust three-year curriculum that integrates practical training experiences in both urban (Las Vegas) and rural (Winnemucca) settings of Nevada. Residents are educated to deliver full-spectrum family medicine, capable of managing various patient demographics from pediatrics to geriatrics.

The aim of the program is to develop physicians who are not only competent in clinical skills but also prepared to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities. The immersive nature of the residency allows residents to gain hands-on experience across a broad spectrum of medical disciplines and conditions, ultimately inspiring them to serve low-income and underserved populations in Nevada.

Training Sites

Training takes place in two primary locations: Humboldt General Hospital in Winnemucca and the primary teaching hospital, University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vegas. The small-town setting in Winnemucca, with a hospital that serves a population from a 100-mile radius, ensures residents encounter a wide array of medical conditions and case complexities. This experience includes managing trauma cases, treating rheumatologic diseases, and handling surgical procedures, often without the consultative assistance available in larger urban centers.

Humboldt General Hospital features newly renovated facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a full-service laboratory and imaging suite, thus enhancing the learning environment for residents.

Curriculum

The residency curriculum is competency-driven and heavily emphasizes practical medical care, including training in crucial procedures such as intubation, surgical first assisting, and emergency medicine. The program also integrates behavioral health and preventive medicine into its educational framework. Outlined below are key components of the curriculum:

PGY-1 Rotations

- Community Medicine (1 month)
- Critical Care Unit (1 month)
- Emergency Room (2 months)
- Family Hospital Service (3 months)
- Obstetrics (2 months)
- New Born Nursery (1 month)
- Pediatric Inpatient (1 month)
- Pediatric Outpatient (1 month)
- General Surgery (1 month)

PGY-2 Rotations

- Electives (0.5-1 month)
- Geriatrics (0.5 month)
- Gynecology (1 month)
- Hematology/Oncology (1 month, longitudinal)
- Psychiatry (1 month)
- Sports Medicine (1 month)
- Volunteers in Medicine (0.5-1 month, longitudinal)
- Intensive Care Unit (1 month)

PGY-3 Rotations

- Electives (2-2.5 months)
- Allergy/Immunology (1 month, longitudinal)
- Ear, Nose and Throat (0.5 month)
- Family Medicine Inpatient (3 months)
- Practice Management (0.5 month)

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral part of the residency experience. Residents are required to complete at least one scholarly project and one Quality Improvement (QI) project by the end of their training. Mentorship is provided by faculty members, and many residents have had the opportunity to present their research at the Nevada AFP conference and other academic settings.

Application Requirements

The Family Medicine Rural Residency Program has specific eligibility criteria for applicants:

• Graduation from an accredited MD or DO program prior to residency start date.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder; international medical graduate (IMG) candidates are not currently accepted.
• Applicants must not have failed any STEP or COMLEX examination more than twice.
• Completion of USMLE or COMLEX Steps 1 and 2 is required prior to application review. Preference is given to candidates with passing scores on record.
• Graduation from medical school or holding a license to practice in the U.S. must have occurred within the last three years.
• Application packets must include the ERAS application, personal statement, curriculum vitae, medical school transcript, USMLE/COMLEX scores, photograph, and three letters of reference, with at least one from a family physician.

Applications are primarily accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS) and are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Visa Support

Currently, the program does not accept applications that require visa sponsorship. Only applicants with U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status will be considered.

Program Competitiveness

The program attracts a competitive pool of applicants interested in rural and underserved medicine. Being based in a unique setting provides a distinct advantage for residents, allowing them to develop robust clinical skills and a deep understanding of the healthcare needs of diverse patient populations.

Conclusion

The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV's Rural Family Medicine Residency Program is designed to equip residents with the essential skills needed for a successful career in family medicine, particularly in rural and underserved settings. With its commitment to comprehensive training, research opportunities, and supportive community, it prepares physicians who are dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes across diverse populations.