Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center/Hershey Program

Overview of the Family and Community Medicine Residency

The Family and Community Medicine Residency at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a three-year, ACGME-accredited program that offers a unique educational path for medical professionals. This program is designed to admit eight residents yearly. The foundation of the program lies in fostering an inspiring and supportive academic environment aimed at developing full-spectrum family physicians who are well-prepared to adapt to the challenges of the evolving healthcare landscape while also contributing positively to their communities. Established in 1967, the Family and Community Medicine department at Penn State was the first of its kind at an academic medical center in the United States, highlighting a long-standing commitment to enhancing the practice of family medicine.

Program Strengths

The program's strengths include a robust culture of wellness, highly qualified faculty, and exceptional residents. They are mentored by accomplished family physicians specializing in various fields, including global health, sports medicine, advocacy, and education. This immersive approach allows residents to see firsthand the multifaceted nature of family medicine as they interact with diverse populations and clinical settings.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is designed to provide residents with comprehensive clinical experiences facilitated by skilled family medicine physicians and specialists. Specialties covered within the curriculum include health systems management, quality improvement, population health, and community advocacy. Additionally, residents can specialize in areas of particular interest, such as academic medicine, the care of marginalized populations, global health, hospital medicine, leadership and advocacy, sports medicine, and women's health.

Rotations

Residents participate in multiple rotations, providing them with hands-on experience across various medical disciplines, including:

• PGY-1 Rotations: Adult inpatient medicine, night float, inpatient pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and more.
• PGY-2 Rotations: Medical intensive care, gynecology, ambulatory pediatrics, and additional electives.
• PGY-3 Rotations: Focus on longitudinal experiences and extensive electives tailored to individual interests.

These rotations ensure that residents build a robust skill set applicable to real-world medical practice.

Training Locations

Residents train across various clinical sites including:

• Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: This is the flagship teaching hospital, boasting a high volume of admissions and a reputation as a level I trauma center.
• Penn State Health Children’s Hospital: As the only children's hospital between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, it is specially equipped to deal with pediatric emergencies.
• Outpatient Clinics: Residents will also gain experience at the Fishburn Road and Nyes Road outpatient practice sites, where they can manage a personal patient panel.

These varied training sites offer comprehensive exposure to patient care in multiple settings.

Research Opportunities

An innovative resident research curriculum allows residents to work closely with family medicine PhD research mentors. Opportunities for publication and presentations at local and national conferences are encouraged, fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity and innovation in patient care.

Diversity and Inclusion

The program is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across its training environment. The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion implements initiatives to enhance understanding and responsiveness to varied patient populations, aimed at ensuring that care is tailored to individual needs and backgrounds.

Wellness Resources

Recognizing the challenges of residency training, the program incorporates wellness initiatives that address emotional, spiritual, social, and physical health among residents. Resources include wellness groups, annual retreats, and various support mechanisms offered by Penn State and the Hershey Medical Center.

Visa Support

The program allows non-U.S. applicants to apply for a J-1 visa, which is exclusively accepted for residency placements at the institution. This focus on supporting international medical graduates facilitates a diverse cohort of residents.

Application Requirements

Applicants for this residency must meet specific eligibility criteria, such as:

• Graduation from an LCME-accredited medical school, within three years prior to applying.
• Passing USMLE Steps 1 and 2 with a maximum of one failure.
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from a family physician.

The program is competitive, welcoming applications from both MD and DO graduates. However, graduates from non-LCME accredited schools must meet additional rigorous standards for consideration.