Penn Highlands DuBois Program

The Penn Highlands Family Medicine Residency Program is dedicated to training the next generation of family medicine physicians to serve the communities of Central Pennsylvania. The program provides a comprehensive, three-year training experience, emphasizing both inpatient and outpatient care, tailored to meet the demands of rural health care.

The residency program consists of three years, with six new residents accepted each year, totaling eighteen residents. Residents gain hands-on experience through rotations across various specialties available in the network of eight hospitals and several outpatient facilities, including internal medicine, orthopedics, urology, and sports medicine. Dedicated inpatient teaching services help ensure that residents obtain organized and effective clinical education. The program incorporates half-day didactic lectures and workshops to enhance the clinical training experience and improve medical knowledge.

Educational support is provided through the Lake Erie Consortium for Osteopathic Medical Training (LECOMT), granting access to various educational resources, library services, and board preparation materials.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to offer a breadth of training across multiple facets of family medicine. It consists of thirteen 4-week academic blocks for each PGY year. The PGY 1 year includes a blend of core rotations such as inpatient medicine, emergency medicine, pediatric care, surgery, dermatology, and more. The second-year offers increased responsibilities and additional rotations in the Intensive Care Unit, sports medicine, and community medicine, among others. The third-year allows residents to focus on outpatient continuity clinics and engage in elective opportunities in various specialties, including addiction medicine and palliative care. This structured approach not only facilitates the acquisition of essential skills but also fosters a solid foundation for a career in family medicine.

Research and Scholarly Activity

The program encourages residents to participate in hospital-wide Quality Improvement Projects, providing opportunities to engage in scholarly activities that contribute to improving healthcare delivery. This hands-on involvement allows residents to apply their knowledge practically and promotes their development as informed practitioners.

Community Outreach

Residents are strongly encouraged to engage with the community through wellness events and health fairs. Residents have unique opportunities to serve as team physicians for local sports teams and volunteer at free clinics, enhancing their experience in served populations. Community service is seen as an integral part of their training, ensuring that they develop not only as clinicians but as committed members of the community.

Salary and Benefits

The residency offers competitive salaries, with PGY1 residents earning $65,532, PGY2 at $67,905, and PGY3 at $70,175. In addition to a competitive salary, the benefits package includes 20 days of paid time off (PTO) per academic year, health insurance options, and malpractice insurance. Residents also receive a personal development stipend for educational pursuits and access to fitness facilities, further supporting their wellness throughout the program.

Visa Sponsorship

The program is supportive of international applicants and can sponsor visas, enabling qualified international medical graduates (IMGs) to apply for residency positions.

Application Requirements

To apply, candidates must complete an application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Specific application requirements include submitting medical school transcripts, board scores (passing COMLEX/USMLE Step 1 and 2), a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. Eligible candidates must be graduates from accredited medical schools within the last two years or must hold a valid ECFMG certificate.

Competitiveness

The family medicine residency program at Penn Highlands is considered to be moderately competitive and is friendly to both DO and IMG applicants. It offers an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds are embraced and valued, creating a rich community for learning.

Resident Experience

Residents at Penn Highlands DuBois build their clinical skills by managing their patient loads in residency clinics under the mentorship of experienced faculty. This balance of hands-on work complemented by structured learning prepares graduates for board certification and future employment across different healthcare settings.

Outcomes

The program boasts a 100% graduate board certification pass rate on the first attempt and a 100% post-graduate employment rate, reflecting the program's commitment to developing competent family medicine practitioners equipped to excel in their careers.