Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. and San Luis Valley Health are pleased to announce the implementation of a new Family Medicine physician residency training program in the San Luis Valley called the Rural Training Track or RTT. This training program is approved and monitored by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Newly graduated from medical school, MD (allopathic) and/or DO (osteopathic) physicians in the RTT will spend their first year of internship at the Southern Colorado Family Residency Program affiliated with St. Mary Corwin Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado, and then their following two years as residents in the San Luis Valley, pursuing both hands-on and didactic training under the guidance of physician faculty. Residents will see patients at the Valley-Wide Alamosa Family Medical Center clinic, SLV Health Regional Medical Center, SLV Health specialty clinics and other community settings.
The goals of the residency program are to address rural physician workforce shortages, improve community health and expose physicians to the joys and rigors of serving a rural population in hopes that they will stay in the community, or choose another rural community, upon completion of their residency commitment. The RTT is funded for its start-up costs and the first years of operation by the Colorado State Legislature and it is administered by the Colorado Commission on Family Medicine.
Interviews for the first cohort of two residents are occurring now, with a start date for the residents of July 2016 in Pueblo and then arrival in the San Luis Valley in July 2017. Ultimately there will be two second-year and two third-year residents in the San Luis Valley.
Valley-Wide is a Community/Migrant Health Center system with medical, dental and physical therapy clinics located throughout southern Colorado. Many medical clinics have behavioral health practitioners co-located for ease of integrated care for patients. Valley-Wide Health Systems is committed to providing high-quality, safe, effective and integrated health care services in a respectful and inclusive manner for all with special consideration for medically underserved populations. Valley-Wide, “Your health, our priority!” For more information call 719-587-1000.
San Luis Valley Health is composed of two hospitals, five provider clinics, occupational medicine services and community-based programs. It serves the six counties in the San Luis Valley. Sites of service are generally designated by their location/name. All staff and services are integrated including primary and specialty care providers and other clinicians. San Luis Valley Health, “Your trusted partner in health.” Visit sanluisvalleyhealth.org or call 719-589-2511.
