Suburban Community Hospital (Lower Bucks Hospital) Program

The Family Medicine Residency Program at Lower Bucks Hospital (LBH) is a community hospital-based, ACGME-accredited training program situated 20 miles northeast of Center City Philadelphia, across the Delaware River from Burlington, New Jersey. This program emphasizes personalized education for residents, granting them the flexibility to lead their postgraduate training, particularly in areas of special interest through elective opportunities. The program prioritizes developing outpatient experiences that equip residents with essential skills for serving their communities effectively.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum encompasses a structured three-year experience designed to meet ACGME minimum training requirements. Residents engage in diverse rotations through various hospital departments/services, affiliated institutions, and private practices, thus enhancing their educational experience. Required components include continuity clinics, nursing home geriatric care, and community medicine, alongside elective rotations tailored to individual interests, strengths, and areas for improvement 1.

Training Activities

The program’s goals are centered on equipping residents with comprehensive family medicine skills needed to navigate a dynamic healthcare environment. The program fosters values such as wellness, educational excellence, advocacy for vulnerable populations, continuity of care, and leadership development. Unique aspects include an organized daily schedule during rotations, ensuring structured patient care experiences and mentoring opportunities for residents to grow as leaders in the field 4.

Research and Scholarly Activities

Residents are required to participate in at least one scholarly activity and a quality improvement project. The program offers substantial educational resources, such as access to the AAFP Online Course, UWorld, UpToDate, and a library of medical textbooks. Furthermore, there is an educational stipend allocated to promote ongoing learning and resource access throughout the training period 3.

Didactic Training

The didactic curriculum includes a comprehensive series of lectures and conferences scheduled weekly. These sessions cover essential medical knowledge, case presentations, journal reviews, and board review preparation, ensuring residents integrate academic learning with clinical practice

Resident Wellness

Lower Bucks Hospital prioritizes resident wellness through organized activities led by residents themselves, access to mental health resources, and structured programs aimed at promoting well-being. Residents enjoy a generous allocation of paid time off, with 15 days during internship and 20 days during the PGY2 and PGY3 years 8.

Alumni and Fellowship Placements

The program boasts a solid track record of alumni placements across various practice settings. Graduates have successfully pursued further training in specialized fields (such as nephrology, sports medicine, and geriatrics) as well as entered into private practices, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in preparing residents for diverse career paths 2.

Application Requirements

For applicants, the program offers five intern (PGY1) positions each year. Candidates must submit standard documentation, including a minimum of three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and proof of U.S. healthcare experience for international medical graduates (IMGs) who need ECFMG certification. Only J-1 visas are sponsored, which makes it necessary for applicants to be aware of visa requirements during the application process 6.

Competitiveness and Applicant Guidelines

The program is regarded as competitive, particularly appealing to applicants from both MD and DO backgrounds, including international medical graduates. Candidates are encouraged to present strong academic records and demonstrate a commitment to family medicine 7.