Lawndale Christian Health Center Program

The Lawndale Christian Family Medicine Residency (FMR) program, sponsored by the Lawndale Christian Health Center (LCHC), stands out due to its unique integration of primary care, behavioral health, and inpatient services that have been developed over many years. The program is particularly notable for being a Teaching Health Center, one of only three in Illinois and the only one independently sponsored by a community health center. This model is geared towards serving high-need communities and vulnerable populations, aiming to train residents in settings where they are most likely to continue practicing and make a significant impact.

Curriculum Highlights: - Personalized Curriculum: Residents have over six months of elective opportunities and self-designed scholarly projects, allowing them to tailor their training experience according to their interests and future career goals. - Clinic First Approach: The program prioritizes continuity clinic experience, ensuring residents spend ample time in the clinic setting, supported by a 2:1 ratio of residents to preceptors. - Inpatient ‘Lawndale’ Teams: Inpatient training is conducted at partner hospitals where LCHC faculty manage their own admitted patients, ensuring continuity of care and learning. - Comprehensive and Innovative Didactic & Longitudinal Curriculum: The program offers an interactive learning experience with a focus on community health and equity, faith in medicine, and scholarly activity, moving away from traditional lecture-based teaching. - Emphasis on Faith in Medicine and Health Equity: Residents explore caring for patients through the perspective of Christian love and are trained to address health disparities actively.

Clinical Rotations Residents undertake a variety of rotations including emergency medicine, pediatrics, women's health, behavioral health, and more, mirroring the full spectrum of family medicine. Noteworthy is the inclusion of rotations focused on underserved populations and innovative care models, such as Mobile Health & Addiction Medicine.

Application Process Applicants are encouraged to apply through ERAS (ACGME Program Code: 1201600711, NRMP Program Code: 2237120C0). The selection process emphasizes alignment with the program's mission and vision, considering a variety of criteria including a comprehensive review of a candidate’s CV, personal statement, and USMLE or COMLEX scores. While specific USMLE scores are not mandated, the program typically considers candidates with a graduation date of less than 2-3 years ago, albeit with flexibility for exceptional cases.

Visas and IMG Applications The program does not sponsor H1B or J-1 Visas at this time but encourages International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to apply.

Resident Salary & Benefits Details about salaries and benefits indicate a supportive approach towards resident well-being, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 403(b) savings plan, generous PTO, and a unique scholarship gift sponsored by a private family foundation. The program also emphasizes physical, mental, and spiritual health as part of its residency wellness initiatives.

In summary, the Lawndale Christian Family Medicine Residency offers a distinct, mission-driven training environment focused on producing family physicians equipped to address healthcare inequities in underserved populations, grounded in faith-based care principles.