Lakeland Regional Health Program

The Lakeland Regional Health Family Medicine Residency Program is designed to provide comprehensive training to residents aiming to excel in family medicine. The program's mission focuses on fully equipping the next generation of physicians with the skills necessary to practice full-scope family medicine and develop lasting relationships with patients and the community. The program emphasizes the importance of continuity of care, disease prevention, and evidence-based practice, catering to the healthcare needs of Polk County, which is recognized as a health professional shortage area for primary care.

Training Environment

Residents will train at Lakeland Regional Health, a 910-bed hospital and one of the largest in Florida. The institution features a high-acuity Emergency Room, providing residents with diverse clinical exposures. The program's newly constructed 76,300 square-foot medical office houses the Family Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) clinic, enabling residents to give comprehensive care from newborns to geriatrics, addressing a wide range of health needs.

Curriculum Overview

The residency curriculum is structured over three years and includes a combination of inpatient rotations, outpatient experiences, and didactic learning. Each resident's journey includes:

• Inpatient Rotations: All core hospital-based rotations occur at Lakeland Regional Health, managed by family medicine faculty and residents, covering adult, pediatric, and maternity care.
• Outpatient Office Experience: Residents participate in continuity clinics, with one half-day per week in PGY-1 and three half-days per week in PGY-2 and PGY-3, offering hands-on patient management.

Research is a pivotal component of the curriculum. Lakeland Regional Health has a dedicated research team that supports residents in instituting scholarly projects to promote critical thinking and the utilization of the latest research in patient care.

Curriculum Schedule

Each year has a detailed schedule with specific rotations:

• PGY-1: Includes rotations such as In-Patient Medicine (10 weeks), Emergency Medicine (4 weeks), and Orthopedic Surgery (4 weeks).
• PGY-2: Features rotations in Psychiatry, Geriatrics, and Outpatient Pediatrics.
• PGY-3: Focuses on specialized fields, including Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, and Practice Management.

Didactic sessions are dedicated weekly, covering practical topics and experiential learning through simulation labs. These sessions focus on topics like Point-of-Care ultrasound and office-based procedures, enhancing residents' practical skills.

Resident Benefits

The residency program places a strong emphasis on the welfare of its residents and provides a competitive benefits package, including:

• Meal subsidies for on-call duties
• Educational stipends for professional development
• Access to the LRH GME Fitness Center
• Support for USMLE Step 3/COMLEX 3 fees

Residents can also expect a supportive training environment where wellness and work-life balance are priorities.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a comprehensive application via ERAS and participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Required documents include:

• Curriculum vitae
• Medical School Transcript
• Personal Statement
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• USMLE/COMLEX Scores

It’s crucial to note that applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S., as the program is unable to sponsor or take over employment visa sponsorship at this time.

Competitiveness and Diversity

The program is known to be competitive while maintaining a focus on nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment for applicants from varied medical backgrounds, including DO and IMG candidates.

Lakeland's unique geographical positioning between major cities like Tampa and Orlando provides residents with numerous recreational and cultural activities, ensuring a balanced lifestyle during residency training.

Overall, the Lakeland Regional Health Family Medicine Residency Program offers a comprehensive, inclusive, and structured curriculum designed to nurture proficient family medicine physicians ready to serve diverse communities across various healthcare settings.