By Lisa Willett, M.D.
As another academic year comes to a close, I am excited about the upcoming changes in our residency program. Starting in July, we will be under a new accreditation structure by the ACGME, called the Next Accreditation System (NAS). This has allowed us to innovate and make changes to keep our program among the best in the country.
With an emphasis on patient safety and quality, our residents are helping to lead departmental initiatives with their active involvement in many hospital committees and programs that make healthcare better and safer for our patients. In addition, next year we have wonderful opportunities for our residents to shape their professional interests in unique ways:
Global Health Track: This three-year curriculum will provide experiences in public health and indigent care, and our senior residents will experience a clinical rotation in an international setting of their choice.
As another academic year comes to a close, I am excited about the upcoming changes in our residency program. Starting in July, we will be under a new accreditation structure by the ACGME, called the Next Accreditation System (NAS). This has allowed us to innovate and make changes to keep our program among the best in the country. With an emphasis on patient safety and quality, our residents are helping to lead departmental initiatives with their active involvement in many hospital committees and programs that make healthcare better and safer for our patients. In addition, next year we have wonderful opportunities for our residents to shape their professional interests in unique ways:
Global Health Track: This three-year curriculum will provide experiences in public health and indigent care, and our senior residents will experience a clinical rotation in an international setting of their choice.
Selectives: These one-month electives will allow residents to gain experience in one of the following important areas: Medical Education, Patient Safety, Women's Health and Disparities in Health Care.
In addition, we continue to adapt to the growing needs of society by teaching and practicing cost-conscious health care, increased patient safety and quality, and culturally responsive health care. We are implementing an innovative clinic structure that separates resident continuity clinic from inpatient responsibilities.
There’s no end to our ideas and energy to make our program the best in the country. Please feel free to email me with any questions or ideas for our residents at lwillett@uab.edu.