How competitive are FM programs like Sutter, Contra Costa, Kaiser in CA?

[Tozanzibarbymotorcar]

What are these programs looking for exactly? Board score range, etc?

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[Jennyfishy]

YMMV, but I interviewed all 3 programs (1 of the new Kaiser programs in Norcal). I have average step scores, meh grades, but very specific patient population interests with very strong ECs + letters to back that up. Also my work + interests aligned closely with their culture/mission, and I imagine that is why I was offered to interview despite academics.

Some general thoughts:
-Being bilingual in Spanish is a huge plus at all 3 programs
-Review process seems pretty selective/holistic for all 3
-"Competitiveness" is relative, as I think FM in general seeks out fit and alignment more than raw numbers, especially since none of these are true "university-affiliated" programs. I know doximity ranks Sutter and Contra Costa somewhere in the top 10 or 20s, but again, that doesn't necessariliy tell you anything.

1) Sutter Santa Rosa: Strong emphasis on social justice, community engagement, and patient advocacy that is consistent across their their didactics, conversations, and patient management. Large Spanish-speaking population, and majority of residents are fluent, if not proficient in it. Every resident across all 3 years + attending I talked to has a different interest in working with underserved populations in some capacity, and the program seems to select/look for applicants with that vision or focus as well. Historically known by those looking for opportunities in integrative medicine, unopposed + strong OB, women's health, and/or global medicine. Probably the most "family-like" resident cohorts I had a chance to meet, where they check-in on each other and genuinely care about each other/support each other through difficult situations. They were always SO excited to see each other. Extremely family friendly!

2) Contra Costa: Working on developing more community-engagement/social justice into their longitudinal curriculum, but historically seems to attract those who are interested in inpatient/hospitalist work and/or C-sections/non-OB procedures. Has the reputation of being a cowboy program and most people I met who also interviewed here were either eyeballing this program or Ventura for the above reasons. They have something like 7+ months of inpatient service, and are among the brightest and hardest working residents I've met. I think only like 1 or 2 residents (R3s) had kids during residency. Many have a ton of interest in continuing to work in underserved communities after residency, a handful I met were preparing to become practicing physicians abroad as the solo doc + surgeon.

3) Kaiser (Santa Rosa): Tons of faculty are either alum or previously affiliated with Sutter, so you'll see a lot of parallels and overlap in flavor of training. During my interview, they mentioned how their residency program is specifically training residents to be attendings with solid outpatient skills from the get go, so their schedules reflect that (no overnight call, pretty cush schedules, but broad-spectrum training and plenty of OB). The benefits are among the best (all Kaiser residents are paid the same salary regardless of specialty) I've seen of any FM residency, from relocation assistance, housing stipend, and health insurance for spouse + dependents + parent/parent-in-laws if you want to pay a little bit extra. They have a commitment to expanding underserved care with some partnerships with nearby FQHCs, but as an HMO, they primarily obviously only see Kaiser members.

 

[Tozanzibarbymotorcar]

Thank you @Jennyfishy!

YMMV, but I interviewed all 3 programs (1 of the new Kaiser programs in Norcal). I have average step scores, meh grades, but very specific patient population interests with very strong ECs + letters to back that up. Also my work + interests aligned closely with their culture/mission, and I imagine that is why I was offered to interview despite academics.

Some general thoughts:
-Being bilingual in Spanish is a huge plus at all 3 programs
-Review process seems pretty selective/holistic for all 3
-"Competitiveness" is relative, as I think FM in general seeks out fit and alignment more than raw numbers, especially since none of these are true "university-affiliated" programs. I know doximity ranks Sutter and Contra Costa somewhere in the top 10 or 20s, but again, that doesn't necessariliy tell you anything.

1) Sutter Santa Rosa: Strong emphasis on social justice, community engagement, and patient advocacy that is consistent across their their didactics, conversations, and patient management. Large Spanish-speaking population, and majority of residents are fluent, if not proficient in it. Every resident across all 3 years + attending I talked to has a different interest in working with underserved populations in some capacity, and the program seems to select/look for applicants with that vision or focus as well. Historically known by those looking for opportunities in integrative medicine, unopposed + strong OB, women's health, and/or global medicine. Probably the most "family-like" resident cohorts I had a chance to meet, where they check-in on each other and genuinely care about each other/support each other through difficult situations. They were always SO excited to see each other. Extremely family friendly!

2) Contra Costa: Working on developing more community-engagement/social justice into their longitudinal curriculum, but historically seems to attract those who are interested in inpatient/hospitalist work and/or C-sections/non-OB procedures. Has the reputation of being a cowboy program and most people I met who also interviewed here were either eyeballing this program or Ventura for the above reasons. They have something like 7+ months of inpatient service, and are among the brightest and hardest working residents I've met. I think only like 1 or 2 residents (R3s) had kids during residency. Many have a ton of interest in continuing to work in underserved communities after residency, a handful I met were preparing to become practicing physicians abroad as the solo doc + surgeon.

3) Kaiser (Santa Rosa): Tons of faculty are either alum or previously affiliated with Sutter, so you'll see a lot of parallels and overlap in flavor of training. During my interview, they mentioned how their residency program is specifically training residents to be attendings with solid outpatient skills from the get go, so their schedules reflect that (no overnight call, pretty cush schedules, but broad-spectrum training and plenty of OB). The benefits are among the best (all Kaiser residents are paid the same salary regardless of specialty) I've seen of any FM residency, from relocation assistance, housing stipend, and health insurance for spouse + dependents + parent/parent-in-laws if you want to pay a little bit extra. They have a commitment to expanding underserved care with some partnerships with nearby FQHCs, but as an HMO, they primarily obviously only see Kaiser members.