Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Lubbock Program

Overview of the Family Medicine Residency Program

The Family Medicine Residency Program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas, is dedicated to training residents to become board-certified Family Physicians. The program has a long-standing history of preparing residents to work in diverse medical practices following graduation, equipping them with the necessary skills to face the broad challenges in family medicine today 1.

Benefits and Compensation

The program provides a competitive salary structure for residents, starting at $63,725.03 for the first year (PGY-1) and increasing slightly each subsequent year to $67,223.47 for the third year (PGY-3). Residents also receive 15 days of vacation, 5 days of sick leave per year, and 4 days with a $1,000 budget for Continuing Medical Education (CME) during the second and third years 1.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications for the program are exclusively accepted through the Electronic Application Service (ERAS). Applicants must provide a Curriculum Vitae (C.V.), a personal statement, three letters of reference, a Dean’s Letter, a medical school transcript, and must have graduated from medical school within the last five years. Importantly, while there are no minimum score criteria for either the USMLE or COMLEX exams, all applicants are required to pass each exam within the first two attempts, with specific requirements for the Clinical Skills (CS) portion of Step 2 to be passed on the first attempt. Moreover, applicants are expected to meet Texas Medical Board licensing requirements prior to their acceptance 1.

Visa Sponsorship

This program sponsors only J-1 visas for international medical graduates. Applicants interested in the program must ensure they meet the requirements set forth by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and be ECFMG certified 1.

Residency Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to provide a comprehensive education over three years of training. Each year includes a mix of clinical rotations, didactic learning, and practice management.

First-Year Curriculum

The first year consists of various rotations including 12 weeks on Family Medicine Inpatient Service, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Gynecology, Medical ICU, Obstetrics, Pediatric Ambulatory Clinic, and more. A longitudinal behavioral health component is integrated into each year 3.

Second-Year Curriculum

The second year continues to build on foundational knowledge with rotations in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Rural Medicine, Geriatrics, and Practice Management, among others 3.

Third-Year Curriculum

The third year emphasizes practice management and introduces residents to urgent care settings, dermatology, geriatrics, and opportunities for elective rotations in various specialties. The longitudinal experience in geriatrics and behavioral health is maintained 3.

Training Sites

The primary training sites for the residency include the University Medical Center, a leading academic hospital, and Covenant Medical Center, a community-based hospital. This dual setting allows residents to cater to a diverse patient population, including those with continuity care relationships and unassigned patients from the Lubbock area and surrounding communities 3.

Competitiveness and Diversity

The program is considered competitive, attracting a wide range of applicants, including both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). It is designed to be inclusive and welcoming, facilitating a diverse learning environment for all residents 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Residents benefit from a strong educational support system coupled with various additional resources such as CME funding, access to professional memberships, and health, vision, and dental insurance options. The program also promotes a good work-life balance with flexible scheduling to accommodate both personal and professional development 1. Further, the hybrid interview format including Zoom and in-person opportunities enhances accessibility for applicants 1.

Graduates and Career Outcomes

The program boasts a successful track record in producing graduates who enter a variety of family medicine practices, emphasizing the preparation and skills attained during residency 4.