St Francis Hospital Program

Welcome to the Saint Francis Family Medicine Residency Program, a well-established program founded in 1979 that aims to train exemplary family physicians within a supportive and respectful learning environment. The program is designed to equip residents with skills necessary across diverse practice settings, benefiting from close mentorship and a community-based approach to training, enhanced by affiliations with notable medical schools such as Temple University School of Medicine and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine 1.

The residency program emphasizes a comprehensive curriculum that includes rotations across various specialties, ensuring a well-rounded education well suited for preparing graduates to cater to varied patient demographics. This broad training supports the program's strong commitment to serving underserved populations in the Wilmington community 1.

Curriculum Overview

The residency curriculum operates on a robust schedule that includes a total of 13 block rotations per year.

First Year

The first year consists of crucial hands-on rotations including inpatient medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, and emergency medicine, ensuring foundational training. A unique aspect of the training is a dedicated newborn/obstetrics rotation where residents follow, deliver, and discharge mothers and newborns, benefiting from a ratio of 1 resident to 1 attending physician for extensive educational support 2.

Second Year

During the second year, residents transition into more intensive roles with expanded responsibilities in inpatient medicine and the ICU. This year emphasizes sub-specialty experiences in areas like orthopedics, geriatrics, and behavioral health 2.

Third Year

The third year allows for elective rotations tailored to the resident's career interests in aspects of family medicine such as pediatric care, sports medicine, and behavioral health. Residents are encouraged to engage in scholarship activity through quality improvement projects and have opportunities to present their findings at conferences 2.

Faculty and Mentorship

The faculty at Saint Francis Hospital possess extensive experience and recognition within the medical community, with a strong focus on educational excellence. The faculty's engagement with residents fosters an environment of mentorship and support, crucial for professional growth 3.

Residents

The program houses a diverse group of residents with varied backgrounds and interests, reflecting the program's inclusive approach. This diversity enriches the learning environment and provides residents with unique perspectives and experiences that enhance their training 4.

Resident Life

Resident life at Saint Francis emphasizes a balanced approach to work and personal well-being. Frequent social events such as retreat days, wellness lunches, and recreational activities help in building a supportive community among residents, making the residency experience enjoyable 5.

Application Requirements

To apply for this residency, candidates must submit a complete application through the appropriate channels, which includes documentation like the Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE), USMLE or COMLEX-USA transcripts, and at least three letters of recommendation. Notably, candidates must be either U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship; however, the program does not sponsor H-1B visas. Applicants are advised to have graduated from medical school within the last three years, with conditions on pass-fail rates for licensure examinations 4.

Competitiveness

The Saint Francis Family Medicine Residency is recognized as a highly competitive program, valuing diversity in its applicant pool. The program is seen as friendly toward international medical graduates, creating an appealing option for those with varied training backgrounds 4.

International Applicants

The program accepts international medical graduates and provides visa support exclusively for J-1 visa candidates, allowing international physicians to participate in the rigorous training offered 4.