Creighton University School of Medicine Program

Overview of the Psychiatry Residency Program

The Creighton University School of Medicine – Phoenix program in Psychiatry is a three-year residency that is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Each year, the program accepts six residents, aiming to provide comprehensive training that emphasizes both personal growth and professional development in a nurturing environment dedicated to serving underserved populations 1.

Core Philosophy and Mission

The program’s mission centers around fostering a learning environment that prepares residents to become compassionate and skilled clinicians. The integration of diverse faculty and a commitment to community care are fundamental aspects of the program. Through active participation in committees and tailored clinical experiences, residents are engaged in both teaching and advocacy roles, contributing to mental health care in various populations 1.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is designed to ensure a broad-based educational experience. The protected didactic time on Wednesdays includes lectures, case conferences, and grand rounds, ensuring that residents receive in-depth knowledge across various psychiatric disciplines 2.

PGY 1 Curriculum

The first year focuses on essential medical and psychiatric care, incorporating both a six-month block of medicine and six months of psychiatry. Major rotations include:

• Inpatient Adult Psychiatry (5 months)
• Internal Medicine Consult Service (1 month)
• Emergency Medicine (1 month)
• Internal Medicine Outpatient (2 months)
• Night Float, Neurology, and others based in Valleywise Health Medical Center and Valleywise Behavioral Health Centers 2.

PGY 2 Curriculum

The second year transitions to more focused responsibilities, enhancing skills in various subspecialties like Forensic Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, with a considerable emphasis on consultation and emergency psychiatry 2.

PGY 3 and 4 Curriculum

The third and fourth years concentrate on outpatient experiences and specialize in elective rotations, building expertise in areas of the resident’s choosing. These years are tailored to prepare residents for independent practice with diagnostic and therapeutic skill enhancement 2.

Training Sites and Affiliations

Training occurs at several well-respected facilities:

• Valleywise Behavioral Health Center (VBHC) – Mesa: Offers a 127-bed psychiatric hospital setting
• St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center: Known for tertiary care and specialized psychiatric treatments
• Barrow Neurological Institute: Provides unique exposure to neurological and psychiatric intersections 2.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages residents to engage in scholarly activities, including participation in research and quality improvement projects, fostering an academic approach to clinical practice and patient care 1.

Visa Support and Sponsorship

The program provides visa sponsorship for residents as needed, typically supporting J-1 and H-1B visa types for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking residency training in the United States 1.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Creighton University Psychiatry Residency Program is known to be highly competitive, with a particular openness towards both DO candidates and international medical graduates. Requirements include:

• First-time pass on all steps of the USMLE
• No maximum limit on the number of failed attempts, although first-attempt pass is preferred
• Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) 4.

Additional Program Features

The program values diversity among its residents and faculty, and this diversity enriches the educational environment. In addition to gaining extensive clinical skills, residents participate in community engagement initiatives, enhancing their understanding of healthcare disparities while cultivating advocacy skills within their training 3.