Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education (National) Program

As one of the largest HRSA-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education consortiums in the country, the program offers comprehensive, community-focused residency training in Family Medicine at the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education in Scranton, Pennsylvania. This program is tailored to produce skilled family physicians, concentrating on serving diverse and medically underserved populations across the region.

The National Family Medicine Residency program has established training sites in a variety of locations, including Tucson, Arizona, Hillsboro, Ohio, Auburn, Washington, and Washington, D.C. This broad geographic reach allows residents to engage with varied healthcare environments, treating patients in high-performing, certified Patient-Centered Medical Homes and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The residency curriculum is designed to immerse residents in clinical practice while integrating didactic learning experiences. Residents gain exposure to a full spectrum of family medicine, from outpatient to inpatient care. This includes significant engagement in outpatient settings, where residents are able to build long-term relationships with patients across all ages and demographics.

Residents participate in rotations designed to enhance their proficiency in essential skills, including chronic disease management, preventive care, and mental health. Training includes unique experiences such as a mobile medical and dental unit, which aims to deliver care to marginalized populations 1.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages residents to engage in research activities that aim to address health disparities within the community. Through collaboration with community health initiatives and scholarly projects, residents are supported to explore significant health issues impacting underserved populations. Reflection on such experiences is a critical aspect of the residency, contributing to the development of well-rounded physicians dedicated to community health.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program stands out for its commitment to serving low-income and underserved populations, with training deeply rooted in the community’s needs. The Wright Center collaborates extensively with various community health organizations in northeast Pennsylvania, providing residents with valuable opportunities to make meaningful contributions to patient care. Additionally, the residency is recognized for its focus on osteopathic training, as the program has gained approval for Osteopathic Recognition 2.

Visa Support

The program actively supports international applicants by providing visa sponsorship, specifically for J-1 visas. This is a critical aspect as it allows residents from diverse backgrounds to contribute to and benefit from the training experience 3.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The program is competitive, attracting a range of applicants, including both MD and DO candidates. While the program does not specify a maximum number of failed STEP exams, it is essential for applicants to meet the overall requirements for a strong application, demonstrating excellence in clinical evaluations and commitment to community-focused medicine.

Applications are accepted through the ERAS system, with interviews typically conducted from November through February. For fellowships, interview scheduling typically occurs from October to November. The candidates are recommended to prepare thoroughly to illustrate their commitment to serving vulnerable populations during these interviews 3.

Training Locations

In Scranton, residents participate in a variety of training locations, including The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary care community health centers, which serve as vital resources for the surrounding communities. These include extensive training sites in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Eerie, Wayne, and Lehigh counties. The collaborative work with leading healthcare institutions like Commonwealth Health and Geisinger Health systems further enhances the learning experience for residents, equipping them with the skills necessary to excel in diverse medical environments 3.