St Mary's Hospital and Medical Center Program

The St. Mary’s Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program in Grand Junction, CO, is a dynamic and comprehensive educational environment for future family physicians. Founded in 1979 with a focus on preparing residents for rural practice, the program has evolved to cater to a wide range of practice goals, including fellowships, ambulatory care, hospitalist roles, and emergency medicine. With a unique position as the only residency program within St. Mary’s Hospital—the regional medical center for over 250,000 miles—residents are provided with a hands-on, involved learning experience across all aspects of patient care.

The program’s mission emphasizes full-spectrum family practice training, integrated team care, and serving under-served populations. St. Mary’s is dedicated to training engaged health professionals capable of high-value whole-person care, particularly suited for rural settings due to the variety of patient pathology accessible in the program.

Residents receive a broad and rigorous education through a variety of learning mechanisms:

• Didactics are held weekly and cover a wide range of essential topics, including American Family Physician Journal updates, wilderness medicine, point-of-care ultrasound, and emergency drills, ensuring residents are well-prepared for any situation they might encounter in their practice.

• Quality Improvement initiatives are integral to the residency, with residents actively participating in projects to enhance patient care, communication, and team-based practices from their first year.

International medical graduates are welcome to apply, given they've graduated within the past three years, hold a valid ECFMG certificate, and are eligible for full licensure in Colorado at the beginning of their second residency year. However, it’s important to note that the program does not sponsor visas.

The residency offers a balance between rigorous medical training and personal wellbeing. Benefits include resident-led wellness initiatives, men and women’s retreats, an impressive call suite, moving allowance, meals during call and conferences, a comprehensive healthcare package including malpractice insurance, and more. Salary ranges are competitive, with an additional education fund available for each year of training.

For those interested, acting internships for medical students offer an immersive experience into the family medicine practice at St. Mary’s, with rotations that provide a blend of outpatient and inpatient exposure, along with didactic training sessions.

Overall, the St. Mary’s Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program presents a well-rounded, supportive, and comprehensive training environment that prepares residents for a future in family medicine, whether that be in a rural practice or a more specialized role. Its focus on quality improvement, integrated behavioral health, and comprehensive patient care makes it an attractive option for those seeking to make a significant impact on community health.