By Patricia Rowe-King, MD
Earlier this summer, Broward Health proudly welcomed the largest Graduate Medical Education (GME) class ever in its 85-year history, with 113 future doctors set to begin their residency and fellowship training throughout the system, which is one of the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the U.S.
With a significant physician shortfall predicted in Florida and nationwide, Broward Health is focused on continuing to expand and enhance its GME program to meet the needs of our growing population.
Expanding Training Programs with Focus on Resident/Fellows’ Wellness
In academic year 2023, Broward Health added three fellowship training programs – gastroenterology, pulmonary critical care and surgical critical care – which brings the comprehensive list to 21 residency and fellowship programs. Several more programs and initiatives are slated for Broward Health in 2024.
As the GME program expands, we are also focused on improving support for the wellness of residents and faculty as they can experience high levels of stress. New initiatives and wellness events have been introduced that encourage outside group activities, mentorship and large and small group discussions. Residents and fellows have access to a serenity room, a gym, massage chairs, quiet spaces, and mental health professionals as needed.
Enhancing Safety Protocols, Quality Care and Cultural Competency
When residents first join the program, Broward Health residents participate in additional quality and safety rotations, to learn about hospital quality metrics and patient safety best practices and ensure the highest level of patient care.
The Back to Bedside initiative, now in its third year, was also recently expanded to enhance the physical diagnosis skills of cardiology fellows, internal medicine residents and family medicine residents. Residents and fellows are trained to better identify heart murmurs and other medical issues of concern, enhancing their clinical experience, manner and skill while potentially decreasing the need for additional patient tests and lengthy hospital stays, all of which leads to improved patient safety and satisfaction.
Recognizing the importance of cultural competency to effectively communicate and connect with patients, Broward Health’s GME program offers valuable training to further support how residents and fellows relate to diverse populations. Enhancing trust between patients and caregivers often leads to better medical outcomes.
Supporting Future Generations of Physicians
Connecting with those within our community is a hallmark of the Broward Health system. To foster that spirit in residents, our innovative Desk to Docs initiative connects them with underserved high school students in Broward County who demonstrate an interest in STEM professions. This program provides local high schoolers the opportunity to meet with one of our residents or fellows on a monthly basis with the goal of fueling each student’s career passion and encouraging them to believe that their dreams of becoming a doctor are attainable.
Residents guide, support and mentor students with an interest in medicine through a year-long planned curriculum. Topics such as resilience, college preparation, organizational skills, leadership and what a pre-medical curriculum entails are explored in their monthly meetings.
Where Students Come From
While we want to cultivate and support local students interested in pursuing medical careers, it’s also important to attract residents from across the country to meet our local needs. This year’s incoming class included many residents from out-of-state medical schools.
Looking to the future, Broward Health intends to further expand affiliations with local universities by creating academic partnerships that will continue to attract and retain talented new physicians from Florida and beyond.
Dr. Patricia Rowe-King serves as the Designated Institutional Official for Broward Health, supervising all residency and fellowship training programs, and is a practicing pediatrician. For more information on Broward Health’s GME program, visit www.BrowardHealth.org/GME.
