Louisiana State University (Shreveport)/Monroe Program

The Family Medicine Residency Program of LSU Health Shreveport in Monroe is designed to provide residents with a comprehensive and hands-on training experience. This program is unique as it is the only primary care residency based at the Monroe facility, promoting an educational approach focused on learning by doing rather than just observation. The program boasts a remarkable 100% first-time board pass rate since 2018, emphasizing its commitment to excellence in education and preparation for future physicians.

The residency program is structured as an 8-8-8 format, allowing for a total of 24 residents with plans to expand by two residents per year until reaching a total of 30. The program aims to address the healthcare needs of a medically underserved population of over 300,000, facilitating exposure to a diverse range of clinical pathologies throughout the residency.

Training Locations

Training primarily occurs at the Family Medicine Clinic located within Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center, which has been operational since 1983. The clinic is expansive, covering over 10,100 square feet, and serves approximately 1,500 patients each month. The facilities include patient examination rooms, laboratory services, and ample waiting areas. The well-structured clinic allows residents to deliver longitudinal care to families across all three years of training, fostering relationships with patients while they grow in their competencies and responsibilities.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed according to Institutional, Common, and Specialty Requirements for Residency Training in Family Medicine approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program allows for rotations across various specialties during the three-year residency, with a mixture of outpatient clinic responsibilities and inpatient rotations. Notably, pediatrics inpatient and emergency rotations currently take place in Shreveport, while family medicine activities occur predominantly in Monroe.

During the first year, residents engage in pediatrics, emergency medicine, and foundational family practice. The second year includes more advanced family practice activities, while the third year emphasizes complex clinical areas and patient management responsibilities. Residents are expected to perform a range of routine office procedures, ensuring they develop practical skills in a real-world context.

Research Opportunities

Residents may explore research interests during their time in the program. Emphasis is placed on community health and addressing local health disparities, providing residents with a chance to engage in projects that align with their interests while contributing to the overall betterment of the community served.

Benefits and Salary

Compensation is competitive and set annually by the Louisiana Legislature, ensuring uniformity across state programs. The starting salary for PGY-1 is $55,972.50, with incremental increases for subsequent years of residency. Additional benefits include comprehensive health insurance options, life insurance, and educational funds for continuing medical education (CME), totaling up to $700 for PGY-3 residents. Residents receive annual leave and assistance for board review courses, further enhancing their training experience.

Visa Support

The program sponsors J-1 visas, ensuring that international medical graduates have the necessary support for residency training in the United States.

Application Requirements

Application requirements include no specific minimum USMLE scores, although completion of Step 3 is preferred. Applicants should ideally be within 10 years of graduating from medical school, and must provide three letters of recommendation, one of which should come from the residency program director if applicable. The application process is conducted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and the deadline for applications is December 1.

Competitiveness and Diversity

The program is regarded as competitive, while being friendly towards both DO and IMG applicants. This openness enriches the residency's demographic and fosters a diverse learning environment, reflecting the community's varied health needs.