Rural Family Medicine Residency Program | Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine

Training the Next Generation of Family Physicians

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Our Mission, Vision and Core Values

The Rural Family Medicine Residency program trains our residents to provide the highest quality of medical care to rural and underserved communities. Our mission of guiding the training of the next generation of exceptional family physicians is supported by three core pillars:

Service to Our Communities of Practice Our program ensures timely access to care for the patients we serve and trains our residents to bring that care to the communities where they will ultimately practice.
Quality Education in an Integrated Environment Our program provides state-of-the-art education for residents in an integrated, multidisciplinary environment. Faculty are responsible for teaching, engaging in clinical research and providing the highest level of healthcare for local patients.
A Strong Foundation of Scholarly Activity Our program recognizes that medical education must be built on a strong scientific foundation. Our faculty and residents actively perform scientific research projects and scholarly work for the purpose of improving well-being and reducing the burden of illness in rural and underserved communities.

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Resident Experience — Year 1

Residents begin their experience in Bridgeport, one of the largest and most ethnically-diverse cities in Connecticut. During this first year in an urban area, residents gain high-touch experience in inpatient medicine, obstetrics and orthopedics that prepares them for the practice of rural medicine.

The majority of training in the PGY-1 year takes place at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Founded in 1903, St. Vincent’s is a 473-bed community teaching and referral hospital with a Level II trauma center. Here, residents learn and train in inpatient medicine, emergency medicine, intensive care, obstetrics and behavioral health.

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Resident Experience — Years 2 and 3

Immediately following the PGY-1 year at St. Vincent's, residents complete the last two years of their training in Northwest Connecticut. This location offers residents the opportunity to care for a rural, underserved and socioeconomically diverse population. The patients and the local community are warm and welcoming, and along with the hospital staff and faculty, are committed to educating the next generation of physicians.

Rural Training Sites

The Rural Family Medicine Residency Program primarily serves two municipalities in Connecticut — Winsted, a small town of about 6,500 residents, and Torrington, a larger city of 34,000 residents. Charlotte Hungerford Hospital serves as our primary teaching hospital in the northwest corner of the state, with the Winsted Clinic acting as the primary continuity care clinic.

The vast majority of Litchfield County is wooded, with scattered lakes, rivers and hills contributing to a quintessential New England charm.

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Compensation and Benefits

Residents within the Rural Family Medicine Residency program enjoy a healthy compensation package including but not limited to a bi-weekly salary, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance, long-term disability insurance, basic life insurance, accident insurance, an employee assistance plan, access to a retirement plan and much more.

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Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We commit to building a culture of health and racial equity, fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all. We value the uniqueness of each person and embrace diverse backgrounds, opinions and experiences. We make space for intellectual, racial, social and cultural diversity and treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are dedicated to ensuring our communities, patients and colleagues across our care system feel accepted and valued, thus establishing a sense of belonging within our program and healthcare sites.