Lehigh Valley Health Network Program

The Family Medicine Residency program at Lehigh Valley Health Network is designed to cultivate outstanding family physicians through comprehensive training and a deeply supportive educational environment. Situated in an innovative, well-resourced healthcare system in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the program emphasizes relationship-centered, evidence-informed practice, preparing its graduates to provide high-quality care across diverse communities.

Program Overview

The residency program spans three years and offers an innovative curriculum designed around the principles of adult learning. Notably, the program prioritizes longitudinal care, enabling residents to integrate learning with clinical practice effectively. This continuous care model allows residents to cultivate relationships with patients, which is critical in family medicine. Each residency year is carefully structured, blending inpatient and outpatient experiences to ensure that residents gain competence in various settings.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes unique features such as:

• Flexible Rotation Schedule: Residents customize their education with opportunities to explore personal interests within family medicine, balancing inpatient rotations and community-based outpatient experiences.
• Learning Labs: These are half-day interactive sessions that foster small group learning, enabling residents to engage deeply with the material through simulations, case discussions, and collaborative reflection.
• Selective Rotations: Residents can select specialized rotations in fields such as geriatrics, addiction medicine, or street medicine, aligning their training with their career aspirations.

Community Involvement

The program emphasizes community engagement, encouraging residents to participate in initiatives like Street Medicine, where they provide care to underserved populations. Additionally, community asset mapping empowers first-year residents to understand and connect with the local resources and culture, fostering a strong sense of community and service.

Research Opportunities

Residents are required to engage in scholarly activities, encompassing various forms of clinical research, systematic reviews, and quality improvement projects. The program fosters an environment of inquiry and mentorship, aligning residents with faculty expertise to support meaningful research in family medicine.

Resident Benefits

The Family Medicine Residency program offers comprehensive benefits, including:

• Three weeks of paid vacation per year, in addition to a wellness half-day each month.
• Financial support for required certifications and memberships.
• Continued professional development opportunities post-graduation through job placement assistance.

Competitive Application Process

Entry into the residency program is competitive, with the program accepting a limited number of residents each year. While the program does not require minimum passing scores for the USMLE, it prefers applicants who pass with two attempts or fewer. International Medical Graduates interested in applying should note that clinical experience in the U.S. is mandatory, although the program does not offer visa sponsorship.

Unique Tracks

The program provides individualized educational tracks that allow residents to pursue specific interests thoroughly. The offered tracks include:

• Geriatrics: Focuses on managing older adults' unique healthcare needs.
• Leadership: Geared toward those aiming for leadership roles in advocacy, research, and teaching.
• Sports Medicine: Provides advanced training in sports-related health issues.
• Maternity Care: Prepares residents for comprehensive care covering all stages of maternity.

Living in the Lehigh Valley

Residing in the Lehigh Valley itself offers numerous advantages, including a lower cost of living and proximity to major metropolitan areas such as Philadelphia and New York City. This region is known for its growing healthcare network and vibrant community, which enrich the overall residency experience.

Visa Support

While the program underscores its commitment to diversity and inclusion, it is essential to note that the Lehigh Valley Health Network Family Medicine Residency does not offer visa sponsorship. Thus, applicants requiring visa support should consider alternative options.

In conclusion, the Family Medicine Residency degree at Lehigh Valley Health Network is characterized by its commitment to innovative learning, community engagement, and a patient-centered philosophy that prepares graduates for the complexities of modern family medicine practice.