Policy For Resident Selection -
AHEC South Arkansas

It is the policy of the Arkansas AHEC program to incorporate both objective and subjective guidelines in the selection of applicants for residency. It is our policy to only accept applications via ERAS from applicants who are participating in the National Resident Marching Program (NRMP). The program requires that all applicants meet uniform eligibility standards, detailed below.

Eligibility

A. Graduates from a United States or Canadian Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited medical school;

B. Graduates from an American or Canadian Osteopathic Association accredited medical school;

C. Graduates of medical schools outside the United States who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school;

D. Graduates from a medical school outside the United States and Canada who meet one of the following criteria:

1. Hold a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a U.S. licensing jurisdiction.

2. Certified transcript from the medical school of training with verifiable contact person from that school.

3. Confirmation of M.D., D.O. or equivalent degree from that school.

4. Hold a current valid certificate from the Education Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

5. Copy of USMLE notification of board scores with minimum score of 80.

6. Documentation of successful completion of one year clinical work in a supervised setting in the U.S. medical system.

7. Not more than five years have elapsed since completion of medical school training or three years away from the clinical practice of medicine as a physician.

8. The ability to reside in the U.S. for 3 years continuous training. If selected, you must submit a copy of a visa or other document establishing legal authority to reside in the U.S. for 3 years. Such documentation will be provided and a start date established based on visa status.

II. All applicants must demonstrate all of the following:

A. Proficiency in reading printed and cursive English.
B. Proficiency in writing (printing) English text.
C. Proficiency in understanding spoken English text.
D. Proficiency in speaking English on conversational and medical topics.

III. Applicants who meet these minimal requirements will be rated in all of the following areas:

A. Performance on standardized medical tests. More emphasis will be placed upon clinical performance than upon basic science performance, although both are deemed important.

B. Academic performance in medical school. More emphasis will be placed upon clinical performance than upon basic science performance, although both are deemed important.

C. Recent clinical training or experience. This experience should involve “hands-on” medical diagnosis and treatment, and not merely observation of clinical practice.

D. Demonstrated ability to choose goals and to complete the tasks necessary to achieve those goals.

E. Maturity and emotional stability.

F. Honesty, integrity, and reliability.

G. Lack of history of drug or alcohol abuse.

H. Motivation to pursue a career in Family Practice, i.e. commitment and ability to complete the entire training program in an AHEC Family Practice Residency.

I. Prior research and publication experience (optional).

J. Writing ability (personal statement)

K. Three letters of recommendation from preceptors or other clinical faculty who have worked with you.

L. Dean’s Letter.

M. Medical school transcript.

IV. Those applicants who are invited to appear for a personal interview will be rated on:

A. Spoken language skills
B. Personal interactions
C. Management approach in one or more hypothetical general medical cases. Medical knowledge, ability to think quickly, medical cases. Medical knowledge, ability to think quickly, organization, and decision-making skills will be evaluated.
D. Further evaluation of items mentioned above.

V. We only accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) which submits application materials from applicants and medical schools to residency program directors via the Internet. After review of your application materials, we will contact you regarding an interview. Applicants will be ranked and selected through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).

Applicants to the program are informed in writing of the terms and condition of employment and benefits including financial support, vacations, professional l eave, parental leave, sick leave, professional liability insurance, hospital and health insurance, disability insurance, and other insurance benefits for the residents and their family, and the conditions under which living quarters, meals, and laundry or their equivalents are to be provided.

Thank you for your interest in our program.

Complete your application through ERAS and we will contact you for a personal visit and interview.

Residency Coordinator
Family Medicine Residency Program
AHEC South Arkansas
460 West Oak
El Dorado, AR 71730
PHONE: 1-800-568-2489 ext. 344

Each year, five outstanding candidates will be selected. We hope you will consider being among them on Match Day. El Dorado with its diverse population and its close-knit neighborhoods is a great city and a perfect place for family medicine. The Family Medicine Residency Program at AHEC South Arkansas is a great place for you.