Nebraska Medical Center/Clarkson Regional Health Service Program

The Clarkson Family Medicine Residency Program at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha offers comprehensive training aimed at preparing residents to provide high-quality family-centered healthcare. This program encompasses a broad spectrum of medical care, covering obstetrics, newborn care, adolescent medicine, and geriatrics, among other specializations. The program's mission is rooted in delivering a patient-centered, community-based training experience that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration across various medical disciplines, allowing residents to develop a holistic approach to patient care 1.

Located in Omaha’s historic Old Market, the program operates a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) where residents gain hands-on experience in an environment rich in resources. The facility includes 16 exam rooms, minor procedure rooms, and comprehensive services ranging from ultrasound and radiology to dietary support and behavioral health. The program focuses on equipping residents with the clinical and intellectual skills necessary to excel in diverse medical environments, both urban and rural 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum in the Clarkson Family Medicine Residency Program is designed to be broad yet flexible, allowing residents to tailor their training based on individual interests and career goals. Each resident can engage directly with attending physicians, facilitating exceptional learning opportunities and mentorship 1. The program emphasizes exposure to a wide variety of patient encounters, enabling residents to master both medical and procedural skills required for independent practice.

Key rotations include:

• Colonoscopy and EGD
• Colposcopy
• Joint injections
• Laceration repairs
• Minor lesion removals

Additionally, residents can participate in elective rotations in various fields such as addiction medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and more, which further enhances their clinical exposure 1.

Research and Scholarly Activities

The Clarkson Family Medicine Residency fosters an environment that values scholarly activity. Residents are encouraged to engage in research projects, presenting their findings at regional conferences and contributing to publications. Opportunities for involvement include participation in the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians and regional collaborative conferences 1. Additionally, the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine research symposium presents an excellent platform for residents to showcase their research endeavors.

Competitiveness and Application Process

The program is regarded as competitive, welcoming applications from both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), provided they are ECFMG certified and have a valid visa or U.S. citizenship. Favorable applicants must have graduated from medical school within the last three years and demonstrated competency with core United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, as candidates are typically expected to have no more than three cumulative fails across the USMLE/NBOME exams. All parts of the examination must be passed within ten years of the first attempt 1.

Applications are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and candidates must submit a letter of recommendation from a Family Medicine physician to be considered. The program accepts applications from September to January annually, and interviews are conducted after application reviews 1.

Support for International Applicants

The Clarkson Family Medicine Residency Program is supportive of international medical graduates, providing visa sponsorship for qualifying candidates. The program typically supports J-1 and H-1B visas, allowing eligible applicants to participate fully in the residency training experience 1.

Benefits and Resident Support

Residents benefit from a structured salary with annual increments, starting at $65,094 for first-year residents, with increasing amounts in subsequent years. Additionally, a range of benefits is offered, including family health insurance, liability insurance for moonlighting, and financial support for continuing medical education (CME). The program also provides funding for USMLE Step 3 and COMLEX Level 3 examinations if taken within the first 18 months of residency 1.

A robust support network is available, emphasizing resident wellness and work-life balance, which is critical for cultivating a productive educational environment. Residents are entitled to 20 vacation days, five CME days, and participation in employee assistance programs 1.

Community Engagement

The residency program emphatically supports community involvement, highlighting the importance of service and outreach. Initiatives such as the Reach Out and Read Program, as well as affiliations with local clinics, provide residents with invaluable experiences beyond clinical training 1. The community-oriented approach not only enriches the residents' education but also enhances the healthcare access for diverse populations in Omaha.