Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency

Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency
3324 Chante Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-576-4074
http://www.srfmr.org/
fpsantarosa@sutterhealth.org

We believe that in order to best serve people's health anywhere, it is helpful to know how health care is practiced in other parts of the world. We have both formal and informal Global Health learning activities. In addition to formal didactics, we encourage residents to take international electives away and present what they have learned when they return. We have close connections in various global health programs: a hospital/clinic in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala; a clinic in Thailand; a ongoing biannual medical program in the Dominican Republic; other programs in Honduras; AIDS work in Africa and others. Residents tailor experiences to meet their interests and career goals. Residents frequently combine international medical experiences with language training and vacation.

Location(s) of program: Our residents have been to all continents. In the words of one of our past residents, "It's a big planet with lots of places and lots of ways to go and serve!" They have done rotations from the basics of public health/education to learning the way labor is managed in Scotland and surgery is practiced in Africa. Our closest ties are in Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Thailand and Africa, though we support people looking at the cultures and experiences that most closely fit their needs.

Description of field experience: Field experience is one of the areas that is most customized to meet the needs of the individual resident. Some want to do more hands-on work, while others want to do more program development. Residents have been in some of the most remote areas of the world, from the hill tribes in Burma to village hut hospitals in Africa. Rotations typically last from 2 to 4 weeks in duration, and many combine it with 2 weeks of vacation. Field experiences have been done on all continents.

Description of didactics: There are both formal and informal global health presentations each year. Our faculty has a wealth of international experience, from starting non-profit organizations to developing teaching materials for community health workers. Many of our residents have been in the Peace Corps or spent time abroad before entering our program. We also work with residents individually on career goals and help them to tailor their elective time to meet their adventure, learning, service and career needs.

Cost to individual resident: Residents may use their CME allowance ($1,200/yr) to subsidize travel. There are other organizations and occasional grants that help with specific opportunities.

Number of residents who have participated in the last two years: 40

Description of faculty involvement: Faculty are engaged directly at two of the sites, visiting biannually and annually. Faculty and residents teach the global health curriculum/didactics. Depending on career goals, individual learning modules are designed to meet the needs/goals.

Does the program accept medical students for trips? Yes

Does the program accept residents from outside the program for trips? Yes

Approximate time of year/duration of trips: Just about anytime of the year there are opportunities available as there are multiple opportunities and the times vary. Trips to the Dominican Republic are generally in Oct and June.

Who to contact if interested in applying:
Sarah Rasmussen (apply through ERAS)
residency application coordinator
fpsantarosa@sutterhealth.org
707-576-4074