Rochester Regional Health/Unity Hospital Program

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at Rochester Regional Health’s Unity Hospital offers a comprehensive training experience in a supportive environment that fosters both professional and personal growth. This program focuses on optimizing functional ability and improving the quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities, providing residents with a robust education and exposure to various subspecialties within the field.

Program Overview

The residency is structured to provide residents with essential skills in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of physical impairments and disabilities, through a holistic approach that incorporates the patient’s goals, cultural background, and social context. Residents work closely with an interdisciplinary team, including nursing, rehabilitation therapy, and various medical specialists, ensuring well-rounded training and patient care.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum adheres to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) guidelines and includes a mix of inpatient and outpatient rotations. Throughout the residency, residents will participate in a variety of didactic sessions, including lectures, case discussions, and skill assessments in EMG and musculoskeletal training. There are dedicated lectures dedicated to research methodologies and application, preparing residents for future scholarly activities.

Residents have opportunities to provide physician coverage for local sports teams, participate in prosthetic and orthotic clinics, and engage in research projects throughout their training. A notable feature of the residency is the collaborative relationship between the program and the Rochester Institute of Technology, allowing access to innovative research and technology in rehabilitation.

Rotations and Specialties

The residency program includes exposure to diverse specialties as part of the training. Residents will work closely with physiatrists, neurologists, orthopedic specialists, and geriatricians, among others. The program balances extensive inpatient and outpatient experiences, ensuring residents are well-equipped to handle various patient scenarios. Rotations are designed to provide thorough training in interventional and conservative spine care and pain management.

Research and Academic Opportunities

Research is a critical component of the residency program, with residents encouraged to design and complete a research project during their training. Each resident will prepare two seminar presentations, covering the introduction and implications of their research findings. There are opportunities for residents to attend national conferences, with department support for travel and accommodation.

Benefits and Compensation

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes four weeks of paid vacation, an annual education allowance, meal tickets during rotations, and various insurance coverages, ensuring that residents are well-supported during their training. Salaries are competitive and increase each year based on postgraduate training year (PGY).

Application Process and Visa Support

Applicants generally apply to the PM&R residency during their fourth year of medical school. The program is open to international medical graduates, who are required to have ECFMG certification. The residency program accepts J1 and H1-B visas and considers applicants with varying USMLE scores through a holistic approach to application evaluation. Candidates are expected to have excellent spoken and written English skills, with specific application requirements including three letters of recommendation, medical school transcripts, and USMLE or COMLEX examinations.

Candidate Competitiveness

The selection process for the residency program is competitive, emphasizing a well-rounded evaluation that considers academic achievements, research interests, and interpersonal skills. The program is open to both DO and IMG candidates, ensuring a diverse resident population.