Today we just found out our program will be closing this summer. It's an ACGME approved Family Medicine program opened for the past 34 years. Our PD said they are already in contact with other programs in the state and also looking at nationwide in order to help us finding a spot for 7 R1 and 7 R2 residents. I am one of the R2s. My question is how certain is it that we are going to find a spot? I am planning to email to program directors personally as well, but how do I get program directors email? Every residency program's website has an email that's either program coordinator's email or common email. Should I address program director in that program coordinator's/common email? Should I send emails to many other states as well? I was planning to move in Georgia after finishing my residency, would it be okay to send emails in some programs in Georgia? Any suggestions?
Midwest Family Medicine program closing
- Thread starter Afrin
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2012
- Messages
- 6,833
- Reaction score
- 8,827
I'm sorry about this. I will say that my categorical program has already said they will be working with residents and staff from your program to see where we can help, and I'm sure the same can be said about the FM programs throughout the state.
I would say that this is a time to reach out as much as you can to any connections, friends, family, former classmates that you have in other FM programs. Do not limit your search to your current state. Take advantage of whatever you can.
Unfortunately, you and your 6 other PGY2s may have to repeat second year. The ABFM requires the last 2 yrs to be completed at the same program, but I'm not sure if they make exceptions in situations like these that are completely out of your control.
You will be an orphan resident, and as such you will retain at least some funding, and the ACGME can allow temporary expansion of residency programs to accommodate you. That said, nothing is guaranteed. You should strive to find a spot as well. @aProgDirector will have more info and advice about this process.
I think you can feel free to email program coordinators or primary contacts on websites. That said, you may want to ask your PD about this if things are already in the works. As far as the content of the emails, explain your situation and inquire regarding possibility of coming to another program. The ACGME should release a statement to PDs and residents regarding this. Address the email to whoever you are emailing, whether that's program coordinators, PDs or to whom it may concern. The main goal is to explain your situation and present your CV. Don't overdo it, but I think being proactive will be on your best interest.
I would also work hard to get LORs from your current staff and PD as they will be instrumental in you getting another spot. Your PD is hopefully already working on this.
I just want to say how sorry I am that this happened. The letter from your hospital's CEOs read like a slap in the face. They ultimately are making the case that your residency, which has provided the city, region and state with many physicians over the years is not as effective as their recruitment efforts, which is likely BS knowing the region. I'm sorry this happened, and I'm sorry they won't even honor you residents enough to complete at least the PGY-2's training.
Last edited:
Have you been following this? There's a lot of discussion about the orphaned residents: Hahnemann Hospital is Dying Putting Hundreds of Residency and Fellowship Spots At Risk
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2012
- Messages
- 6,833
- Reaction score
- 8,827
I'm going to defer to @aProgDirector as far as what would be appropriate etiquette in a situation like this.
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2004
- Messages
- 6,009
- Reaction score
- 6,721
That is a different situation in that the hospital there went bankrupt and there are over 500 residents affected... not the case here.
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2006
- Messages
- 10,733
- Reaction score
- 15,563
Regarding what the OP should do, it's definitely time to assess what you want next. Do you really need to stay in the geographic area you are located? Or could you move anywhere? Knowing the answer to that question, are there program(s) that you would be most interested in?
I would definitely reach out ASAP to programs. explain the situation, link to an article if it's not listed on the ACGME website yet (and I don't see it yet). Include your CV. Do not just wait for your program to help. A program might be able to accommodate a single resident. If everyone from your program applies, they might choose the person with the highest exam scores. Or the best ITE score. Or whomever the PD hand picks. Or, they might choose the person who seemed the most interested early on.
Regarding funding, it's complicated. If this FM program is the only residency program at your institution, then you definitely become an orphaned resident -- your funding follows you, and the ACGME will allow temporary increases for programs to take you. But, even then, the program actually has to "release" the funding -- they can't claim it if they have no residents, but if they don't release it, it's just lost.
If they have other residency programs, and especially if some of the slots they have are not funded, thet can just redeploy the spots to a different program. The slots are not specialty specific.
And last, perhaps, they can sell their slots -- like Hahnemann has tried to do.
I highly doubt the ABFM will require you to repeat a year. They are usually reasonable people.
I would definitely reach out ASAP to programs. explain the situation, link to an article if it's not listed on the ACGME website yet (and I don't see it yet). Include your CV. Do not just wait for your program to help. A program might be able to accommodate a single resident. If everyone from your program applies, they might choose the person with the highest exam scores. Or the best ITE score. Or whomever the PD hand picks. Or, they might choose the person who seemed the most interested early on.
Regarding funding, it's complicated. If this FM program is the only residency program at your institution, then you definitely become an orphaned resident -- your funding follows you, and the ACGME will allow temporary increases for programs to take you. But, even then, the program actually has to "release" the funding -- they can't claim it if they have no residents, but if they don't release it, it's just lost.
If they have other residency programs, and especially if some of the slots they have are not funded, thet can just redeploy the spots to a different program. The slots are not specialty specific.
And last, perhaps, they can sell their slots -- like Hahnemann has tried to do.
I highly doubt the ABFM will require you to repeat a year. They are usually reasonable people.
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2012
- Messages
- 6,833
- Reaction score
- 8,827
Thanks. I'm sure these residents and others will appreciate this. The program is an unopposed FM program and there are no other residents to take the funding/slots. I also don't believe they are selling the seats, but to be fair I didn't even know that could happen until Hahnemann tried it. That's good to hear about the ABFM.
That would certainly be the most reasonable thing to happen, since its completely out of control of the residents.
I did well in all ITE exams especially the last one. Should I send my ITE score in the email or should I put it in the resume?
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2004
- Messages
- 6,009
- Reaction score
- 6,721
If Georgia is where you want to end up, would suggest reaching out to the fm programs there and make mention that you are looking to settle down in Georgia, particularly if you are not looking to be in atl...Georgia has a shortage of doctors and if you are looking to stay, they will be interested
