Morehouse School of Medicine/Dominican Hospital Program

The Morehouse School of Medicine Dominican Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, located in Santa Cruz, California, is dedicated to addressing health equity through community-oriented medical education. Established in 2022, the program follows an 8-8-8 model, enrolling eight residents each year, with the first class of residents expected to begin training in July 2024. This innovative program is part of a long-standing tradition of graduate medical education at Morehouse School of Medicine, which has trained over 1,000 residents since its founding.

As the only residency program in Santa Cruz County, it offers a unique, unopposed training environment. Residents gain comprehensive exposure to a diverse population, enhancing their learning through challenging clinical encounters, similar to those found in a larger teaching hospital. The residency places a strong emphasis on Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC), Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), integrative and functional medicine, and integrated behavioral health, aiming to equip residents with a strong foundation in full-spectrum family medicine focused on underserved populations.

Curriculum Overview

The residency curriculum is structured across three years, with each year designed to enhance resident skills and competencies comprehensively:

• PGY1: Includes rotations in inpatient medicine, community integration, pediatrics, obstetrics, surgery, and palliative care, alongside dedicated training in POCUS and community medicine.
• PGY2: Expands to include more intensive experiences in inpatient medicine, gynecology, emergency medicine, and leadership training, with opportunities for selectives based on resident interest.
• PGY3: Focuses on further specialization with electives, extensive community medicine experience, and preparation for independent practice.

This well-balanced structure fosters various learning opportunities, ensuring residents not only meet but exceed the required competencies needed for future practice.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program’s commitment to health equity is central to its mission and curriculum. This is exemplified through:

• Community-Integrated Curriculum: Residents participate in a continuity clinic at Santa Cruz Community Health Center, providing care to populations that are often overlooked.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): The program is built on a DEIB framework to ensure representatives from underrepresented communities are central to its mission and operations, enhancing cultural competence in training.
• Wellness Initiatives: The residency includes a comprehensive wellness program that prioritizes residents' mental health and work-life balance, featuring a designated Chief Wellness Officer, flexible call schedules, and self-care initiatives.

Training Sites

Dominican Hospital, a 222-bed community hospital, serves as a key training site. It includes a wide range of services such as a Level III NICU, robust emergency services, and specialized centers for cardiac and stroke care. The program also partners with Watsonville Community Hospital, enriching the training experience through collaborative care models that focus on the South County's predominantly Latinx population.

Research and Community Outreach

Residents are actively involved in research initiatives, focusing particularly on health equity and community health improvements, supported by cutting-edge facilities and mentorship from faculty. The dedication to outreach fosters not only clinical skills but instills a lifelong commitment to service in historically marginalized communities.

Application Process

To apply for this residency program, candidates must meet specific requirements:

• Eligibility for applicants includes graduation from LCME-accredited medical schools or osteopathic schools accredited by the AOA.
• The program does not accept J1 Visa applicants; only U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible.
• Applications are processed through ERAS, and interviews are conducted both virtually and in-person from mid-October through early-January.

This structured and comprehensive training program aims not only to produce competent family medicine physicians but also advocates committed to addressing the social determinants of health in their communities.

Visa Support

The program offers sponsorship for Permanent Residency (Green Card) holders only, which enables eligible international medical graduates to train in the residency program effectively.

Competitiveness

The program is open to varied applicant backgrounds, including DOs and IMGs. It emphasizes an inclusive approach and an understanding of the social aspects influencing health disparities.