McLaren Health Care Corporation Program

The Family Medicine Residency - Rural Training Program at McLaren Northern Michigan is designed to provide high-quality graduate medical education tailored to the needs of rural medical care in northern Michigan. The program follows a 1+2 Rural Training Program (RTP) structure, which consists of the first year of training conducted at McLaren Flint, followed by the second and third years at the primary training site in Petoskey, Michigan. This design aims to prepare family physicians to practice independently in rural settings, ensuring they provide comprehensive care to patients across diverse demographics.

Program Goals and Objectives

The mission of the Family Medicine Rural Training Program includes several important objectives:

• Training residents to practice comprehensive family medicine autonomously.
• Ensuring residents provide high-quality care to patients of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and religious beliefs.
• Supporting residents in continuous improvement of medical knowledge and skills through research and quality improvement projects.
• Encouraging active participation in the education and training of fellow residents and medical students.
• Fostering empathy and compassion in patient care.

Curriculum Structure

The program features a well-organized curriculum with rotations comprising 4-week blocks. Each training year includes 13 blocks, with the following specifics for each residency year:

• PGY-1: Most rotations occur at McLaren Flint, covering essential areas such as Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, and Obstetrics.
• PGY-2: All rotations take place at McLaren Northern Michigan, implementing advanced rotations in Addiction Medicine, General Surgery, and various Family Medicine Services.
• PGY-3: Focuses on independent practice, with opportunities for additional electives and specialty rotations.

Longitudinal Experiences

The curriculum incorporates longitudinal experiences interwoven through the three-year program, highlighting a biopsychosocial approach to medicine. This includes mentoring from dedicated behavioral medicine faculty, allowing residents to diagnose and treat mental disorders effectively. Key longitudinal experiences offered include:

• Chronic Pain Management
• Patient Education
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Quality Improvement and Research
• Population Health

Research Opportunities

The program provides a dedicated research block and integrates time within the Academic Half Day (AHD) for residents to engage in original research or quality improvement projects. Residents are encouraged to present their findings at various conferences and workshops, fostering an environment of scholarly activity and professional development.

Application Process

Applicants to the program must go through the AAMC National Resident Match Program (NRMP) and submit their applications exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Required application documents include:

• A completed ERAS Application
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Passing scores on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK or equivalent COMLEX scores

Applicants must possess US citizenship or valid legal residency status (green card or refugee status) and note that the program does not sponsor visas. Interviews are conducted virtually.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Family Medicine Rural Training Program at McLaren Northern Michigan is competitive, welcoming applications from diverse educational backgrounds, including MD and DO candidates. The program emphasizes a holistic review of each applicant based on preparedness, communication skills, and personal attributes such as integrity and motivation.

Training Sites and Facilities

The primary training site, McLaren Northern Michigan Medical Center, is equipped with a newly remodeled academic primary care clinic that features 15 exam rooms, a procedure room, resident work areas, and modern electronic medical records systems. This connectivity between training and service provision ensures residents gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting.