Choosing the right family medicine residency program is a crucial step in your medical career. McLaren Health Care Greater Lansing, in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU), offers a robust and comprehensive Family Medicine Residency Program designed to equip residents with the skills and experience necessary for a successful career in family medicine. This program, deeply rooted in community health and academic excellence, provides a unique training environment in Lansing, Michigan. Below, we address frequently asked questions to give you a clearer picture of what the McLaren Family Medicine Residency Program offers.
FAMILY MEDICINE FAQS
What Fellowship Opportunities are Available to Family Medicine Residents?
For residents looking to specialize further, McLaren Greater Lansing offers a wide spectrum of fellowship opportunities after residency. Family medicine residents can pursue fellowships in various fields, including sports medicine, geriatrics, obstetrics (OB), sleep medicine, adolescent medicine, palliative care, hospital medicine, preventive medicine, occupational medicine, emergency medicine, wilderness medicine, rural medicine, substance abuse, and women’s health. This extensive list demonstrates the program’s commitment to diverse career paths and specialized training within family medicine.
Where Do Graduates of the Program Typically End Up?
Graduates of the McLaren Family Medicine Residency Program have enjoyed successful placements across the United States. Recent graduates have found employment in diverse locations including New York, Illinois, Maine, Virginia, Texas, Washington, and Oregon. Notably, approximately half of the graduating residents choose to remain in Michigan, contributing to the local healthcare landscape. This geographic diversity in graduate placement highlights the program’s national recognition and the broad applicability of the training received.
What is the Accreditation Status of the Family Medicine Residency Program?
The McLaren Greater Lansing Family Medicine Residency Program proudly maintains full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This accreditation is a testament to the program’s adherence to rigorous national standards for medical education and its commitment to providing high-quality resident training. Furthermore, the program is actively pursuing Osteopathic recognition, underscoring its dedication to comprehensive and inclusive medical education.
Can You Explain the Call Schedule for Residents?
The call schedule is structured to provide valuable experience while ensuring a balanced lifestyle. During the intern year, call coverage is rotation-specific. For instance, residents on the cardiology rotation may have 24-hour in-house call coverage for that service. Currently, in-house call is primarily associated with the Cardiology rotation. Second and third-year residents participate in after-hours clinic call, which is taken from home for one-week periods, rotating approximately every eight weeks. The after-hours clinic call volume is generally manageable, averaging between 2 to 7 calls per week, minimizing intrusion on residents’ personal time.
Will I Have Opportunities to Teach Medical Students as a Resident?
Yes, teaching opportunities are integral to the residency experience. McLaren Greater Lansing serves as a base hospital for the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), and medical students regularly rotate through the program. Residents actively participate in the education of medical students during clinical rotations, fostering their teaching skills and contributing to medical education. These interactions are viewed as a valuable way to attract medical students to the field of family medicine. Additionally, behavioral health students rotate within the residency clinic throughout the year, offering further interdisciplinary teaching experiences.
What Kind of Patient Population Will I See in the Clinic?
The residency clinic at McLaren Greater Lansing serves a diverse patient population, ensuring a broad clinical experience for residents. The program is committed to providing robust experiences in pediatrics, women’s health, and geriatrics. The clinic participates in Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans, exposing residents to a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds and healthcare needs within their patient panel.
Are Moonlighting Opportunities Available for Residents?
Moonlighting policies are in place to support resident development while prioritizing well-being. First-year residents are not permitted to moonlight. However, second and third-year residents may pursue moonlighting opportunities with the explicit consent of the program director. This allows senior residents to gain additional clinical experience and supplement their income under appropriate supervision.
What Types of Medical Procedures Do Residents Perform?
The McLaren Family Medicine Residency Program offers abundant opportunities for residents to develop procedural skills. Residents routinely perform a variety of procedures, including cryotherapy, intrauterine device (IUD) placements, joint aspirations and injections, incision and drainages, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), Pap smears, skin laceration repairs, toenail removals, and trigger point injections. This hands-on experience ensures residents graduate with confidence in a wide range of common family medicine procedures.
What are the Vacation and Benefits Packages for Residents?
McLaren Greater Lansing values resident well-being and offers a competitive benefits package. Each resident is entitled to 20 days of vacation annually throughout the three years of residency training. A comprehensive list of benefits, including stipends and other advantages, is available on the McLaren GME website, providing transparency and detailed information for prospective residents.
Where Do Residents Live and What is There to Do in the Lansing Area?
Residents find affordable and comfortable living throughout the communities surrounding Lansing. The Lansing area boasts a very affordable real estate market, making homeownership accessible to many residents. East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, offers the vibrant entertainment and cultural options expected of a Big Ten college town. Outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful, including hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, and skiing. For those seeking urban experiences, Detroit is conveniently located within a 1.5-hour drive.
Will All of My Training Take Place at McLaren Greater Lansing?
The vast majority of residency rotations are conducted at McLaren Greater Lansing, ensuring a consistent and familiar training environment. Away rotations are strategically incorporated to broaden resident experiences in specific areas. These include a one-month rotation in pediatric emergency medicine and one month in OB/GYN at Sparrow Hospital, which is located within a 10-minute drive from McLaren Greater Lansing. Additionally, residents complete a one-month inpatient pediatrics rotation at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, with a housing stipend provided to offset costs. These external rotations provide diverse exposure while maintaining a central training hub at McLaren Greater Lansing.
The Mclaren Health Care Greater Lansing Msu Program Family Medicine Residency offers a well-rounded, supportive, and academically rich environment for aspiring family physicians. With its commitment to comprehensive training, diverse patient experiences, and resident well-being, this program stands out as an excellent choice for your residency journey.
