Launching a Residency Program – One Year Later

In 2014, the program received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. This unified program between two different entities was possible since there were common goals and a commitment to excellence in patient care, advancement of medical knowledge and the community.

 

After receiving over 1,300 applications in 2014, 18 were selected for the first year, with six being preliminary residents who leave after their first year to complete an advanced residency training. The remaining 12 continue in the residency program and will be board-eligible in Internal Medicine upon completion of their third year. Furthermore, we accepted an additional 12 second year residents in our inaugural class, who will complete their training in 2017.

 

The program’s unique design focuses on preparing residents for what medicine will look like in the future. In addition to rotations at Holy Cross Hospital, where the essentials of caring for patients in the hospital are taught, they also train in a variety of care delivery settings preparing them for the predicted monumental shift toward ambulatory medical care. Furthermore, a curriculum in leadership teaches residents the inner workings of the healthcare system and how to create positive change.

 

The ambulatory curriculum has residents learning alongside general and subspecialty trained physicians in the community, as well as serving as the primary provider for patients at Broward Community and Family Health Centers, a federally qualified health clinic and patient centered medical home that provides treatment to the underinsured and uninsured. Residents also spend time at Light of the World Clinic, a free clinic providing medical care to indigent patients. At Holy Cross Hospital, they are exposed to several certified patient centered medical homes and an accountable care organization and clinically integrated network.

 

With this mix of different care delivery settings, residents learn about chronic diseases and how to prevent progression as opposed to seeing only the results of long-standing disease on patients in the hospital. It also introduces them to an evidence-based approach to medicine and a model that proactively engages patients in chronic disease self-management. By the end of their third year, they will have the medical knowledge to succeed as well as a comprehensive view of modern healthcare, being able to advocate for and implement change as future challenges arise.

 

The transition to a teaching hospital was not difficult since Holy Cross Hospital was already engaged with nursing, pharmacy and medical students. Physicians have been enthusiastic about participating in the education of residents; the residents’ intellectual curiosity offers attending physicians the opportunity to impart knowledge as well as a fresh perspective that pushes them to elevate care.

With smaller patient loads, residents have also won over Associates in the hospital who have come to welcome their availability, and patients also understand that they benefit from another set of eyes evaluating them.

 

This year, we are expanding to open a new continuity clinic with the Holy Cross Medical Group. Here, residents will serve as the primary care provider under the supervision of outstanding General Internists.

In July, a new Emergency Medicine residency in collaboration with Holy Cross Hospital, Jackson Memorial Hospital and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine also began, offering a community emergency department learning experience as well as that of a large trauma center.

 

Healthcare has changed greatly since I completed my residency. Advances have been made in the field as well as a shift towards accountability and high value care and away from fee for service. The rate of change will only accelerate and we must prepare the physicians of tomorrow to be ready.