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

The USF Health - Morton Plant Mease Family Medicine Residency Program, situated in Clearwater, Florida, represents an unopposed three-year residency program sponsored by the University of South Florida. The program commenced in 1998 with the primary mission of cultivating exceptional family physicians equipped to deliver high-quality care and humanized medicine. The program has integrated various innovative aspects since its inception, including the addition of a Sports Medicine Fellowship in 2009 to enhance its curriculum focusing on musculoskeletal care 1.

Outpatient care within the program is primarily conducted at the Turley Family Health Center, which is notable for being the first residency practice site in Florida to receive the prestigious Patient-Centered Medical Home™ Recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. This facility allows residents to engage in patient care across all phases of life, providing exposure from prenatal services to geriatric care. The inpatient training is based primarily at the Morton Plant Hospital, a recognized Top 100 Hospital according to IBM Watson Health 1.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is both comprehensive and flexible, allowing residents to tailor their training to match their individual career path interests. Major components include actively engaging in outpatient and inpatient care rotations, primary care, and elective opportunities across various specialties. These rotations often include specialties such as geriatrics, dermatology, musculoskeletal care, among others 1. The curriculum also incorporates cutting-edge educational methods and innovations, ensuring residents gain competencies critical for modern medical practice.

Furthermore, the residency program offers various tracks including Wilderness Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and an Obstetrics track. Each provides unique opportunities for specific training relevant to patient populations that family medicine physicians may encounter 1.

Research and Scholarly Activities

The program emphasizes research as a means to foster academic excellence and improve community health outcomes. Residents participate actively in scholarly activities, presenting findings at local and national conferences and conducting projects that address health disparities 3. Notably, the program collaborates with organizations like the Moffitt Cancer Center on research initiatives to broaden its impact on community health, particularly among underserved populations 3.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

The USF Health - Morton Plant Mease Family Medicine Residency Program does not offer visa sponsorship nor observerships for applicants 5. Candidates must adhere to the specified application requirements, which include recent medical school graduation or active involvement in accredited residency or medical practice within the last five years, and passing scores on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 before ranking eligibility. Osteopathic graduates must provide COMLEX scores 5.

Competitiveness of the Program

This residency program is highly competitive, welcoming applications from both DO and IMG candidates. However, the program maintains strong support for IMGs, requiring valid ECFMG certification at the time of application. The acceptance rates for fellowship positions among residents have been commendable, with many successfully obtaining placements at their top choices 1.

Clinical Training Sites and Community Service

The residency provides extensive training at several clinical sites within the BayCare Health System, encompassing a blend of acute care hospitals and outpatient care facilities. Community service is also a core tenet of the program, with numerous outreach initiatives such as providing free physicals to students and participating in international medical mission trips 6.

Salary and Benefits

Regarding compensation, PGY1 residents earn a salary of $64,443, with yearly increments through PGY3, where they earn $68,742. The program offers generous vacation and sick leave, educational allowances, and support for various medical membership dues. Residents receive benefits such as individual office space and opportunities to participate in moonlighting, which enhances their clinical experience and financial support 9.

Teaching Kitchen and Resident Wellness Programs

The program also emphasizes lifestyle medicine, featuring initiatives such as the Jacobsen Teaching Kitchen, which fosters culinary education for both residents and patients, integrating nutrition into treatment for chronic diseases 10. Residents can engage in various wellness-focused programming to support their mental and emotional well-being throughout the residency experience 10.

Conclusion

This comprehensive and supportive training environment equips residents with necessary competencies and experiences that prepare them for successful careers as family medicine physicians. The integration of academic rigor, community engagement, and pioneering medical education creates an enriching experience at the USF Health - Morton Plant Mease Family Medicine Residency Program.