University of Rochester/Highland Hospital of Rochester Rural Program

The University of Rochester/Highland Hospital of Rochester Family Medicine Residency Program stands out as one of the oldest FM programs in the country, blending the community hospital experience with resources from an academic medical center. With a structure of 12-12-12, it ensures residents gain comprehensive experience across various specialties, working as essential team members alongside residents from other disciplines.

The program is known for offering an exceptional psychosocial medicine curriculum, among the most in-depth in the U.S., including a unique 5-month longitudinal rotation in the PGY-2 year focused on Psychosocial Medicine and Practice Improvement. The OB experience is robust, offering 40-60 deliveries during a 2-month rotation in the intern year, with all continuity deliveries supervised by family medicine faculty, including those with C-section privileges.

Community involvement and care for the underserved are emphasized, including an option to engage in a political advocacy track. Residents can tailor their training through 13 different Areas of Concentration using extensive departmental and university resources, with many areas initially created by residents. The Global Health experience is notable for its continuity relationship with communities in southwestern Honduras and includes funding to support resident participation.

Rochester, as a living location, is highlighted for its low cost of living and abundance of activities, ranging from water sports and wineries in the Finger Lakes region to cultural offerings within Rochester itself.

Application Information: - Applications are accepted solely through ERAS and the program participates in the NRMP. USMLE/COMLEX Requirements mandate passing both Step 1 and Step 2 for applicants from U.S. or Canadian medical schools, with Step 2 passage required before the ranking meeting in early February. - IMG applicants need ECFMG certification or eligibility and at least one year of hands-on employment as a physician in a U.S. or Canadian healthcare facility, with recent medical school graduates within the past five years preferred. - Only J-1 visas are sponsored. - The interview process for the 2023-2024 season is conducted virtually, ensuring accessibility for applicants regardless of geographic, financial, or personal constraints, with virtual social events to connect applicants with current residents. Additionally, in-person "second look" events are offered to provide a more comprehensive program experience.

The residency prides itself on the diversity of its resident body, fostering a supportive and comprehensive educational environment. Areas of interest within the program are broad, including addiction medicine, LGBTQ-affirming care, community health, OB, women's health, and underserved medicine, among others. Through these offerings, the University of Rochester/Highland Hospital of Rochester Family Medicine Residency Program prepares its residents for vibrant careers tailored to their interests within family medicine.