Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Program

The Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency Program in Geriatric Medicine, located in Augusta, offers a comprehensive training experience that aims to equip residents with the skills necessary to effectively serve rural and underserved communities. The program stands out for its commitment to community-based learning, focusing specifically on providing compassionate and comprehensive primary care.

Program Overview

The Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency was established in 1973, with a mission to train physicians in all aspects of family medicine. The program prioritizes understanding the complexities of patient care within the social contexts of their lives, promoting a holistic approach to healthcare that goes beyond mere diagnostics and treatments. The curriculum is designed to foster the development of critical thinking and lifelong learning, important traits for effective family physicians.

Clinical Training and Rotations

Residents undergo rigorous training through a variety of rotations in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Training is primarily conducted at two primary practice sites: the Family Medicine Institute in Augusta and the Maine Dartmouth Family Practice located in Waterville. Each site offers unique learning opportunities and patient demographics. The Augusta center, for instance, serves approximately 7,600 patients and is staffed by a diverse team of family medicine professionals, including PAs, NPs, and social workers who work in a collaborative environment to ensure comprehensive patient care.3

Training also encompasses rotations in pediatrics, obstetrics, emergency medicine, and specialized fields such as geriatrics and sports medicine. Residents complete 400 hours of obstetric training during their residency, equipping them to handle a wide range of cases in a family practice setting.5

Research and Scholarly Activity

The program encourages residents to participate in scholarly activities, where they may engage in quality improvement projects and other research initiatives. Past projects have explored topics such as opioid use disorder and the implications of food insecurity on health outcomes. The program fosters an environment conducive to research, providing mentorship and resources necessary for success.9

Unique Aspects of the Program

One of the unique features of the Maine-Dartmouth program is its dual accreditation status. The program is accredited by the ACGME with recognition for its osteopathic residency, allowing both MD and DO residents to learn from one another and participate in a longitudinal curriculum that integrates osteopathic principles.10

Additionally, residents benefit from a dedicated Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, enabling extensive exposure to geriatrics systems of care. This fellowship allows residents to collaborate with board-certified family medicine physicians specializing in geriatrics, enriching their understanding and skills in managing this growing patient population.4

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

The Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency Program provides visa support for international graduates, specifically sponsoring J1 visas for candidates who fulfill eligibility requirements. The selection committee takes a holistic approach, encouraging applicants from both allopathic and osteopathic backgrounds while considering their unique experiences.15

The program is open to international medical graduates (IMGs) and is considered friendly to both DOs and IMGs, as it has a history of successfully integrating diverse perspectives into resident training. While the application process is competitive, each candidate is assessed based on their individual qualifications and commitment to the principles of family medicine.16

Application Requirements