UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA/HCA FLORIDA HEALTHCARE (FORT WALTON BEACH) PROGRAM

The University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare (Fort Walton-Destin) Internal Medicine program is meticulously designed to cultivate a comprehensive educational atmosphere where residents engage in individualized learning opportunities. The program is underpinned by a strong commitment to the care and enhancement of human life, emphasizing a supportive community among faculty and staff.

Program Overview

The program is newly accredited by the ACGME as of January 2024 and began receiving its inaugural class of interns in July 2024. Training occurs at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, a highly esteemed acute care facility with 331 beds, well equipped with advanced medical services, including a Cancer Care Center and an Advanced Primary Stroke Center.

Clinical and Didactic Curriculum

Residents are immersed in a dynamic curriculum designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills for managing both acute and chronic conditions through comprehensive patient-centered care plans grounded in scientific evidence. The program facilitates wide-ranging exposure to general internal medicine and related subspecialties, equipping residents to pursue autonomous practice, subspecialty fellowship training, and certification.

Training Sites

Training will occur mainly at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, but will also extend to surrounding community clinics, including a partnership with White Wilson Medical Center that supports outpatient education.

Salary and Benefits

For the fiscal year 2023-2024, salaries for residents are structured as follows: PGY1: $60,792, PGY2: $62,892, PGY3: $65,056. Residents are entitled to educational leave pending program director approval, while also accumulating sick leave at a rate of 10 days per academic year. Benefits also include BLS and ACLS training, laptop access to medical records, and meals provided at the hospital cafeteria.

Research and Quality Improvement

The program promotes active participation in research and quality improvement projects in collaboration with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and HCA Florida Healthcare. This includes an annual review of population health data aimed at enhancing patient health outcomes.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum aligns closely with resident rotations, offering protected educational time for weekly didactic conferences. These sessions focus on various aspects of internal medicine and feature subject matter experts from diverse specialties.

Rotations

The program ensures comprehensive training across various specialties, including but not limited to, cardiology, nephrology, and infectious disease. Furthermore, no overnight calls are mandated, and effective caps on patient assignments aim to provide optimal care and learning experiences.

Wellness and Support

The program incorporates wellness days and various activities that enhance a positive working environment. Strategies are enacted to ensure residents have time for personal health maintenance.

Application Requirements

The program welcomes applications from candidates who have achieved competitive scores on USMLE Step exams (greater than 219/234) or equivalent COMLEX scores. Candidates must be recent graduates (within two years) from LCME or COCA accredited schools to qualify fully. Both U.S. citizenship and EAD status are accepted, along with J-1 visa sponsorship for international medical graduates.

Visa Support

The program provides sponsorship for J-1 visas through the ECFMG, facilitating entry for international medical graduates to participate in the residency.

Competitiveness

The program is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. It is competitive, but it is open to both U.S. MDs and DOs, as well as IMGs, promoting an acceptance policy that values diverse qualifications.

Faculty

The program is led by highly accomplished faculty and program directors who possess extensive training and are committed to enhancing the educational experience. Faculty members are involved in supervision, didactic teaching, and ensuring rigorous academic standards are upheld.