Wellstar Health System/Wellstar Douglas Medical Center Program

The Family Medicine Residency Program at Wellstar Douglas Medical Center is committed to nurturing the next generation of family health physicians as well as serving a diverse community in Douglasville, Georgia. This program, established as the first family medicine residency in Atlanta, provides an enriching educational experience, assists in addressing local primary care shortages, and prepares residents for a range of practice opportunities.

Program Overview

The recent relocation from Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center to Wellstar Douglas Medical Center has brought numerous enhancements, including a newly renovated continuity clinic just two blocks from the hospital. This arrangement simplifies access to outpatient rotations, allowing residents to spend more time focusing on their education and patient care, rather than being bogged down in traffic. The program boasts a remarkable 100% first-time board pass rate over the last decade, showcasing the strong academic foundation residents receive here.

Curriculum

The program blends comprehensive clinical training with didactics, ensuring residents are well-equipped to practice full-spectrum family medicine. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experiences, requiring residents to treat diverse patient populations with various medical conditions.

Rotations

Residents undergo a range of rotations designed to broaden their clinical skills:

• PGY-1: Rotations include internal hospital medicine (2 months), medical ICU (1 month), emergency medicine (1 month), general surgery (1 month), family medicine inpatient services (2 months), general pediatrics (2 months), family medicine obstetrics (2 months), and behavioral medicine (1 month).
• PGY-2: Concentrated experiences in family medicine inpatient service (2 months), outpatient family medicine (2 months), outpatient cardiology (1 month), neurology (1 month), gastroenterology (1 month), emergency room (1 month), ambulatory pediatrics (2 months), and elective time (1 month).
• PGY-3: Focus on family medicine inpatient service (2 months), outpatient family medicine (2 months), specialties such as dermatology (2 weeks), geriatrics (1 month), ENT (2 weeks), urology (2 weeks), diagnostic imaging (2 weeks), and advanced behavioral medicine (1 month) including significant elective time (4 months).

Didactics

Weekly didactic sessions include faculty and resident lectures, specialized guest lectures, journal clubs, and Balint groups as part of the behavioral health curriculum. Every third Tuesday of the month is dedicated to point-of-care ultrasound practice sessions.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages residents to engage in research, including quality improvement initiatives and clinical research projects, often in collaboration with the Wellstar Research Institute. There is a structured pathway to follow Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines throughout the research process.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Wellstar Douglas Family Medicine Residency Program emphasizes community engagement, which prepares residents not only for clinical excellence but also for understanding and addressing social determinants of health. In addition, the program features:

• A newly renovated continuity clinic with comprehensive facilities.
• Free access to hospital amenities, on-call meal reimbursements, and parking.
• A LGBTQ+ primary care clinic on-site.
• A robust longitudinal behavioral health curriculum.
• Active involvement in community health initiatives, focusing on populations with limited access to healthcare.

Living and Working in Douglasville

Douglasville is a suburban community located about 20 miles from downtown Atlanta. The area offers a variety of recreational activities, from amusement parks to a charming downtown filled with shopping and dining options. Residents often enjoy easy access to Atlanta's cultural and social amenities while benefiting from a supportive local environment.

Application Requirements

The program is committed to accepting diverse candidates. Applicants must note specific requirements, including:

• Being U.S. citizens or holders of valid U.S. Permanent Resident Cards or J1 visa sponsorship.
• A graduate from an accredited U.S. or Canadian medical school or an approved international medical school.
• Applications open to DO and MD graduates, with emphasis on strong clinical and academic performance.

Visa Sponsorship

Though the program does support J-1 visa applications for international medical graduates, it does not sponsor H-1B visas.

Competitive Nature of the Program

The Wellstar Douglas Family Medicine Residency is known to have a competitive selection process, actively seeking strong candidates who demonstrate a commitment to family medicine and community health. The culture within the program emphasizes support and teamwork, fostering a collaborative environment among residents and faculty.