University of South Florida Morsani (Morton Plant Mease Health Care) Program

The USF Health - Morton Plant Mease Family Medicine Residency Program is a distinguished three-year residency program sponsored by the University of South Florida, located in Clearwater within the BayCare Health System. Established in 1998, the program aims to cultivate exemplary family physicians equipped with the skills necessary to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. The curriculum includes comprehensive training in various aspects of family medicine, supported by collaborations with specialized fellowships such as Sports Medicine and Pharmacy.

The residency program emphasizes outpatient care at the Turley Family Health Center, which was the first site in Florida to receive Patient-Centered Medical Home™ Recognition. Here, residents engage with a diverse patient population, covering a spectrum of care from prenatal to geriatric health. Inpatient training primarily occurs at Morton Plant Hospital, recognized as an IBM Watson Health Top 100 Hospital, thereby providing residents access to both a community setting and an academic environment.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide foundational and advanced training in family medicine through various rotations and tracks. The program facilitates individualized learning experiences by allowing residents to concentrate on specific interests such as Integrative Medicine, Wilderness Medicine, and Telemedicine. Furthermore, the program is enhancing its curriculums with innovations such as a Teaching Kitchen for culinary medicine education, which underscores the importance of nutrition in wellness and chronic disease management.

Rotations

Residents participate in a wide range of rotations including Behavioral Medicine, Chronic Care Management, Geriatrics, and Integrative Medicine, which includes training in evidence-based approaches to health. Notably, residents are involved in a chronic care management team model aimed at optimizing health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. The curriculum also emphasizes procedural training, providing opportunities to perform various procedures within the scope of family medicine.

Training Sites

The residency program collaborates with multiple training sites. The Turley Family Health Center serves as the main outpatient facility, while Morton Plant Hospital supports inpatient medicine training. Additionally, the program partners with several specialty clinics (e.g., Diabetes Care Center, Women’s Health Center) and conducts community outreach services, addressing local health needs through free medical screenings and physicals.

Research Opportunities

The program fosters active research engagements, allowing residents to participate in projects that address healthcare disparities, preventive medicine, and chronic disease management. Residents are encouraged to present their findings at regional and national conferences, creating a strong emphasis on scholarly activities and community health improvement initiatives.

Application Process

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet specific requirements including graduation from medical school within the last two years, and a preference for valid ECFMG certification for International Medical Graduates. Importantly, the program does not sponsor visas and does not offer observerships. Applicants must provide scores from USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, which must be achieved by the second attempt, along with letters of recommendation and a dean's letter.

Visa Support

The program does not offer visa sponsorship, meaning that all potential residents must hold permanent U.S. resident status or be U.S. citizens to apply. This underscores the importance of ensuring that applicants are aware of their immigration status before applying.

Competitiveness

The residency program at USF is characterized as highly competitive. It welcomes graduates from all medical schools, including DOs and International Medical Graduates, who meet the required qualifications. The presence of diverse tracks and supportive faculty enhances its appeal, positioning graduates to excel in fellowship applications, with over 90% of residents having secured positions in their top fellowship choices in the past few years.

Salary and Benefits

Residents receive competitive salaries with additional educational allowances, vacation time, and health insurance. Each resident is allotted five days per year for educational purposes, with varying stipends for different PGY years. Other benefits include conference attendance support, professional liability insurance, and opportunities for moonlighting.

Community Engagement

The program is deeply committed to community service, encouraging residents to partake in various outreach programs, including medical mission trips and local health fairs. Residents actively participate in providing care to underserved populations, thereby enhancing their community engagement and understanding of health disparities.