Saint Joseph Hospital Program

The Saint Joseph Hospital Family Medicine Residency offers a fully accredited three-year family medicine residency program designed to prepare residents for success in any practice setting. The program was founded in 1975 with a mission to care for the poor and vulnerable within the community. The residency serves a diverse urban population, including a large Spanish-speaking and undocumented immigrant demographic from the Denver metro area. This program is committed to providing outstanding, progressive, and compassionate graduate medical education in primary care to ensure high-quality, full-spectrum care for all patients while fostering a learning culture that advocates for social justice and health equity.

Curriculum

The curriculum at Saint Joseph Hospital is carefully designed to prepare residents for various practice settings post-graduation. The rotations encompass foundational aspects of family medicine, including outpatient, inpatient, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, and procedural training. This structure caters specifically to individuals considering full-spectrum practice, providing a mix of challenging and relaxed rotations that promote optimal learning while respecting personal time.

Didactics

Didactic learning occurs daily through a comprehensive noon conference series, based on an 18-month cycle that ensures topics are revisited periodically throughout residency. The core curriculum includes critical areas such as:

• Wilderness medicine
• Obstetric emergencies
• Hospital procedures
• Family planning training
• Casting and splinting workshops

The program also features presentations on various topics including journal clubs, sports medicine, community medicine, and palliative care, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Tracks and Opportunities

Residents have the option to focus on specialized areas of medicine through numerous tracks available in fields such as global health, integrative medicine, obstetrics, osteopathic manipulation, and sports medicine. These opportunities allow residents to tailor their educational experience to their interests and career aspirations.

Application Requirements

The Saint Joseph Hospital Family Medicine Residency accepts applications exclusively via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Key requirements include:

• Nine PGY-1 openings available
• Applications deadline: November 1
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from a family medicine physician
• No minimum USMLE score required, but all required exams must be passed on the first attempt
• A personal statement detailing reasons for applying to the program

International medical graduates (IMGs) must ensure that they meet specific eligibility requirements, including no more than two years post-graduation and completion of USMLE Step 1 and Step 2.

Visa Support

The program offers sponsorship for a limited number of J-1 visas, allowing international graduates the opportunity to pursue residency training in the United States. Applicants must be authorized to work full-time in the U.S.

Competitiveness

The residency is considered competitive for applicants and emphasizes diversity by encouraging underrepresented minorities in medicine to apply. The program selects candidates based on their commitment to community service, leadership skills, and clinical experiences.

Training Sites

Residents at Saint Joseph Hospital have the opportunity to train across several locations, enhancing their hands-on experience. Training sites include:

• Bruner Family Medicine Clinic
• Saint Joseph Hospital
• Children's Hospital Colorado
• Denver Health
• Kaiser Permanente
• Briarwood Health Care Center
• Tepeyac Community Health Center
• Winter Park and Aspen Snowmass

This diverse set of locations exposes residents to different patient populations and care settings.

Resident Life and Benefits

Saint Joseph Hospital prioritizes the well-being of its residents through various wellness initiatives, including leadership training, gym memberships, and concierge services. Residents also benefit from:

• Annual team-building retreats
• Resident buddy program for peer support
• Behavioral health services provided by an experienced psychologist
• Free meals during noon conferences and snacks

These initiatives foster a collaborative and supportive community among residents, faculty, and staff.

Living in Denver

Denver offers an attractive living environment for trainees, providing access to outdoor activities in the Rocky Mountains as well as a vibrant urban atmosphere filled with cultural amenities, dining options, and recreational activities. The supportive community within the residency program enhances the overall training experience.

Postgraduate Fellowships

The residency program sponsors postgraduate fellowships, providing additional educational opportunities in Family Medicine Obstetrics and Palliative Medicine, aimed at expanding professional development and clinical expertise further.