The Family and Community Medicine Residency program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a three-year ACGME-accredited program that accepts eight residents annually. Located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the program is designed to produce versatile family physicians equipped to navigate a dynamic healthcare environment.

Program Overview

The Family and Community Medicine program has been a pivotal part of the medical center since 1967, recognized as the first academic family medicine department in the U.S. This residency is grounded in the commitment to excellence in patient care, scholarship, community service, and resident wellness. The program emphasizes a collaborative environment, where residents work alongside specialists in pediatrics, emergency medicine, and obstetrics, promoting a team-based approach to patient care.

Curriculum

The residency curriculum is structured to provide essential clinical experiences across various settings, integrating family medicine with specialized training. The program offers areas of concentration to refine skills in specific interests, including:

• Academic Medicine
• Care of Marginalized Patients
• Global Health
• Geriatrics
• Hospital Medicine
• Leadership and Advocacy
• Sports Medicine
• Women’s Health

Residents participate in various rotations, including longitudinal and elective rotations, to enhance practical learning and specialization opportunities. The program emphasizes education in behavioral health, population health, and health systems management.

Clinical Rotations

During the PGY-1 year, residents will engage in core rotations, as follows:

• Orientation – 0.5 months
• Adult Inpatient Medicine – 1.5 months
• Night Float – 1.5 months
• Inpatient Pediatrics – 1 month
• Emergency Medicine – 1 month

As residents progress to PGY-2 and PGY-3, further rotations include specialized areas such as medical intensive care, ambulatory pediatrics, gynecology, and sports medicine. This progression ensures that residents gain exposure to a breadth of medical conditions a family physician may encounter.

Training Sites

The residency training is supplemented by experiences in various clinical settings. Residents manage a panel of patients at:

• Penn State Health Medical Group – Fishburn Road
• Penn State Health Medical Group – Nyes Road

Both sites offer comprehensive family medicine experiences, while Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center serves as a strong tertiary care referral center, providing unique learning opportunities for residents.

Research and Scholarly Activity

The program fosters an environment of intellectual curiosity, encouraging residents to engage in research and quality improvement projects. Residents are paired with family medicine PhD mentors during their scholarly activities, allowing them to gain valuable experience in developing, implementing, and presenting research projects at local, regional, and national venues.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

The Family and Community Medicine Residency is competitive, welcoming both MD and DO candidates, including international medical graduates (IMGs). The program supports only J-1 visas for non-U.S. applicants. Each applicant must have graduated from medical school within the past three years, pass relevant licensing examinations (USMLE or COMLEX) with no more than one total prior failure, and submit three letters of recommendation, including one from a family physician. Graduates from non-LCME accredited schools must meet additional criteria to be considered.

Resident Wellness

Recognizing the challenges of residency, Penn State prioritizes resident wellness through various initiatives, including wellness groups, monthly retreats, and access to mental health resources. The program encourages self-care as a critical skill for successful professional practice, and efforts are continuously made to maintain a supportive environment that fosters resident resilience.

Diversity and Inclusion

The program is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its curriculum and community. With a dedicated Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the residency actively engages in mentorship and community outreach activities that support underrepresented populations.