Mercy Medical Center (Merced) Program

The Family Medicine Residency Program at Mercy Medical Center in Merced is dedicated to training resident physicians to deliver comprehensive care with a specific focus on rural and underserved areas. The training provided is designed to cultivate independent learning and robust faculty collaboration across a diverse range of inpatient and outpatient settings. This program strives to create a nurturing educational environment that promotes the growth of competent family physicians.

Training Environment

The residency program operates within Mercy Medical Center, a 186-bed Joint Commission-accredited facility, which allows residents to function as primary healthcare providers for a significant patient population. The program has strong support from the local medical community, ensuring that residents receive tremendous respect and learning opportunities from a diverse group of faculty members who are actively involved in their training and mentorship 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to provide a broad range of experiences in family medicine, including rotations in inpatient medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatry, and various surgical specialties. Residents engage in extensive outpatient training through the Family Care Clinic, where they develop a panel of patients and provide continuous care. The first year emphasizes foundational skills in internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics. Second and third-year residents gain additional responsibilities and teaching opportunities, further enhancing their clinical skills and confidence in managing patient care independently 3.
The curriculum's design includes regular noon conferences to foster ongoing education and interaction with specialists from prominent institutions, which enriches the residents' learning experience 8.

Rotations

Residents participate in a variety of rotations throughout their three years, including:

• Inpatient Medicine: Extensive exposure during the first year, with increased responsibilities in subsequent years.
• Pediatrics: Multiple pediatric rotations, ensuring a solid foundation in managing pediatric patients.
• Obstetrics: Significant opportunities for deliveries and prenatal care, with hands-on experience in gynecological procedures.
• Emergency Medicine: Training in acute care settings to sharpen immediate diagnostic and management skills.
• Behavioral Science: Longitudinal experiences in behavioral science to support residents in addressing psychological aspects of patient care.

Resident Experience and Community Engagement

The training environment emphasizes the development of caring and compassionate physicians. Residents serve diverse populations, including many patients from immigrant backgrounds, and have the opportunity to learn how to navigate the complexities of community health 1. The advanced training in rural areas prepares graduates to provide comprehensive family medicine without relying on numerous specialists, which is often the case in less underserved environments.

Research Opportunities

Residents have options to engage in research projects that address healthcare challenges in the community, contributing to improvements in patient care. They may also explore clinical interests through elective rotations, enhancing their education to suit future practice settings 6.

Application Process and Eligibility

To apply for the residency program, candidates must submit applications via the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application System). The program accepts U.S. medical graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). Specific requirements include:

• Medical school graduation within the last five years.
• A minimum score of 200 on USMLE Steps 1 & 2 and 450 on COMLEX Level 1 & 2 is preferred.
• A maximum of one failure in USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, with no failures on Step 2 CS/COMLEX Level 2 PE.
• ECFMG certification for IMGs, although an ECFMG certificate is not required for interviews.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or possession of a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD); the program does not sponsor any visas 4.
  Application materials should be submitted by October 31 of the application year for the best chance of securing an interview slot, with interviews conducted via Zoom.

Compensation and Benefits

Residents receive a competitive annual compensation package, commensurate with each training year, along with benefits such as:

• Furnished meals while on duty.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Three weeks of paid vacation annually.
• One week of paid educational time every year.
• Scrubs and lab coat provisions.
• Reimbursement for initial licensing fees and other educational expenses such as book allowances and membership dues to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) 5.

Visa Support

The program does not sponsor immigrant or nonimmigrant visas. Non-citizens must provide documentation establishing employment authorization by the date of their interview—this may consist of valid status documents 3.

Community and Living Environment

Merced offers a semi-rural setting near Yosemite National Park, providing residents with diverse recreational activities and cultural experiences, given the area's rich cultural diversity. Residents benefit from the unique opportunity to serve patients from various backgrounds while enjoying proximity to outdoor activities like hiking and skiing 6.