University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Bowling Green) Program

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Bowling Green) Transitional Year Residency Program, located at The Medical Center at Bowling Green, offers a comprehensive training year that is essential for providing a fundamental medical education across multiple clinical disciplines. This program is meticulously designed to prepare residents for subsequent residencies in various specialty programs. The program aims to equip each resident with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to excel as a physician, irrespective of their eventual specialty choice. Such a broad foundation of medical education is particularly crucial for those who may be considering a diverse array of future specialties.

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The Transitional Year Residency is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is authorized to accept 12 residents each year. Participating in both the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), this residency provides a robust platform for medical graduates to advance their training.

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The curriculum consists of 8 core rotations lasting four weeks each, encompassing crucial areas of medical practice. These core rotations include:

• Inpatient Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Outpatient Medicine
• Critical Care
• General Surgery (Outpatient/Inpatient)
• Cardiology (Outpatient/Inpatient)
• Night Float

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Additionally, residents choose 4 elective rotations, also four weeks each, from a selection of services, including:

• Allergy
• Anesthesiology
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Vascular Surgery, and more.

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Eligible applicants for the program must be graduates from medical schools that are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), or international schools recognized by the World Health Organization. Notably, the program does not accept applications from those who have graduated from medical school more than 24 months before the expected start date unless they have maintained active practice or been in training during that time.

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One critical application requirement is that candidates must have passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2 or the COMLEX equivalent before being considered for an interview. The program seeks applicants with a strong academic background, emphasizing that preferred qualifications include USMLE scores of 235 or higher on step 2, or a COMLEX score of at least 550 on level 2, with no failures on any step.

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The University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Bowling Green) Transitional Year Residency Program supports international medical graduates by sponsoring J-1 visas through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). However, it is important to note that the program does not provide support for H-1B visas. Only candidates holding a Green Card or those eligible for a J-1 visa sponsorship will be considered for positions in the program.

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The residency program is highly competitive, attracting applications from a diverse pool of candidates. It is particularly friendly towards all graduates, including osteopathic and international medical graduates. Selection will be based on various attributes, including preparedness, academic credentials, communication skills, and other personal qualities that may signal effective performance in a clinical environment. Thus, the program assesses a range of competencies beyond purely academic achievements.

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Selected applicants will be invited for interviews conducted virtually between October 1 and the end of January. Invitations will be extended based on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants should respond promptly upon receiving an invitation. Each candidate will meet with the program director, program coordinator, and select faculty members during the interview process, along with a chance to engage in a question and answer session with current Transitional Year residents.

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