Old Dominion University Program

Overview of the Residency Program

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is dedicated to training competent physiatrists who will be effective in improving patient outcomes for disabling conditions. The program embraces a community-based training model, providing residents with exposure to multiple hospitals and clinics, thereby ensuring a comprehensive educational experience.

As a fully accredited three-year program, residents will become board eligible for the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation after completion. This esteemed program prioritizes both patient care and education, striving to educate well-rounded physiatrists who are adept in various aspects of physical medicine.

Curriculum

The residency curriculum is structured to include clinical rotations in diverse settings, with a focus on delivering a balanced experience between inpatient and outpatient care. Each clinical rotation spans approximately two months, allowing residents to gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience across various subspecialties within physical medicine.

In the second year, residents will spend a significant portion of their time at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Here, they will manage conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, and other orthopedic and neurological conditions. The third year emphasizes pediatric care at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, where residents learn to navigate the unique challenges of rehabilitating pediatric patients.

Moreover, the program includes comprehensive lectures on critical topics such as pain management, rehabilitation techniques, and pediatric rehabilitation, ensuring residents emerge as proficient professionals equipped to handle a wide array of clinical situations.

Training Sites

Residents train at several notable healthcare facilities, each offering unique opportunities for clinical exposure:

• Sentara Norfolk General Hospital: This Level I trauma center and burn trauma unit is highly regarded for its cardiology and heart surgery programs.
• Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters: As Virginia's only freestanding children's hospital, CHKD includes the largest neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in the region.
• Naval Medical Center Portsmouth: The oldest hospital in the Navy, this tertiary care facility provides a rich clinical learning environment.
• Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center: With extensive rehabilitative services, residents engage in outpatient and electrodiagnostics, managing a wide range of conditions.

The diverse settings allow residents to practice and enhance their skills in a variety of patient care environments, fostering adaptability and comprehensive training.

Application Process

The application to the program is managed exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Applicants must adhere to several requirements to be eligible for consideration:

• Graduation from an MD/DO program within the last five years.
• A valid and current ECFMG certificate for international medical graduates who have completed medical school.
• At least three clinical letters of recommendation based on recent clinical experience in the U.S. or U.K.
• Passing scores on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 (or COMLEX equivalents).
• A minimum of 900 hours of U.S. clinical experience, primarily of a hands-on nature.

These criteria ensure that applicants are well-prepared for the rigorous training involved in the residency. The program emphasizes a holistic view of each applicant, valuing both academic achievement and clinical experience.

Benefits and Stipend

The program offers competitive stipend rates, which reflect the increasing responsibilities of residents as they progress through the training:

• PGY2: $65,774
• PGY3: $67,536
• PGY4: $70,644

Additionally, residents benefit from a comprehensive package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance options. Leave policies are generous, allowing for three weeks of scheduled leave per year, along with provisions for sick and maternity leave. This ensures that residents can maintain a healthy work-life balance throughout their demanding training period.

Visa Support

The program provides visa sponsorship for qualified applicants. This includes support for the J-1 and H-1B visa types, particularly for international medical graduates who require immigration assistance to participate in the residency training.

Competitiveness and Special Requirements

The program is regarded as competitive, particularly for applicants from international medical backgrounds. The program seeks candidates with strong academic performance and significant clinical experience. Specific requirements set forth, such as a minimum of 900 hours of clinical experience in the U.S., position the program as highly selective, prioritizing applicants who have demonstrated commitment and capability in clinical settings.