North Colorado Medical Center Wray Rural Program

The North Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program offers comprehensive training for aspiring family medicine physicians, particularly geared towards full-spectrum family practice in diverse settings. The program comprises five distinct residency pathways under a unified framework, providing unopposed training that includes surgical obstetrics and advanced rural training tailored for residents with interests in these fields.

Program Mission and Objectives

The mission of the North Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program is to deliver quality patient care in a supportive environment while celebrating education as a continuous endeavor. The key objectives include:

• Equipping residents with the knowledge and skills necessary for competent family practice, especially in contexts with limited medical resources.
• Integrating biological, psychological, social, and economic perspectives in the approach to patient care.
• Training residents to focus on health and well-being, alongside managing illness.
• Providing a supportive environment that nurtures the potential of residents as both family physicians and individuals.

Residency Programs and Structure

The residency consists of the following five specific training programs:

• Core Program: Provides a broad-spectrum training experience, particularly beneficial for those considering future practices in rural and international medicine.
• Hospitalist Program: Designed for residents aiming for a career in hospital medicine with additional focused training and mentorship.
• Rural Training Program - Wray: Involves the first 15 months of training in Greeley, followed by continued education in Wray, providing extensive rural experience and emergency department coverage.
• Rural Training Program - Sterling: Similar to Wray, but based in Sterling with community integration and longitudinal clinical experiences.
• Sunrise Community Health Center Program: Focused on service within a community health center setting, emphasizing diverse patient populations.

Training Facilities

Residents have access to several key facilities for their clinical training:

• Banner North Colorado Family Medicine Clinic: Serves as the continuity clinic for residents across all years.
• Banner North Colorado Medical Center: Hosts all PGY-1 hospital rotations for the various programs.
• Sterling Regional MedCenter: Acts as the continuity clinic for Sterling Program Residents, particularly during their second and third years.
• Sunrise Community Health Center: Provides a unique clinic setting focusing on underserved populations.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded education over the three years of residency. Key elements include:

• A longitudinal curriculum ensuring experience in Medicine, Obstetrics, and Pediatrics throughout all residency years.
• Incorporation of Behavioral Sciences, Community Medicine, Geriatrics, and Practice Management in a structured manner.
• Weekly didactic conferences, with sessions streamed live for remote sites and archived for future access.

Research and Optional Tracks

Residents are encouraged to engage in research and have the opportunity to specialize in areas of interest through optional tracks. These tracks include:

• Advanced Maternity Care Track: Focuses on surgical obstetrics, with residents gaining significant operational experience.
• Global Health Track: Promotes involvement in domestic and international health care projects.
• Hospitalist Track: Offers concentrated training in adult hospital medicine.
• Sports Medicine Track: Provides opportunities to engage in care for athletes and sports-related issues.
• Leadership Track: Aims to develop leadership skills critical for future roles.

Applicant Requirements and Competitiveness

Applications are accepted from both U.S. and International Medical Graduates. Requirements for applicants include:

• Graduation from an accredited medical school.
• Completion of USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Part 1.
• For IMGs: A minimum of two years of training in the U.S. or Canada is mandated.
• Must meet the eligibility criteria for licensure in Colorado during the second year of residency.
• Applicants with more than two attempts at any examination will not be considered.

The program is considered competitive, and priority is given to individuals demonstrating a commitment to family medicine.

Visa Support and Sponsorship

The North Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program does not provide visa sponsorship for international medical graduates. Candidates should verify their eligibility for licensure in Colorado.

Resident Benefits

Residents at the North Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program receive a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive salaries starting from $60,302 for first-year residents.
• Paid time off of 25 days annually, including vacation and CME days.
• Benefits such as health insurance, malpractice insurance, and retirement plan options.
• Up to $1,000 annual reimbursement for conference expenses and professional development.

Living in Greeley, Colorado

Greeley offers a vibrant community, with a blend of outdoor activities, cultural events, and a supportive environment for students and professionals. Residents benefit from a robust trail system and close proximity to recreational opportunities in the Rocky Mountains.