Appointment of new residents

The residency recruitment committee oversees the recruitment and selection process. Penn's Family Practice residency participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The recruiting committee screens applications and extends interviews to candidates based on their medical school record, letters of recommendation, and USMLE scores. Final ranking is completed by the program director with the advice of the recruiting committee and faculty. Detailed application instructions are maintained on our residency web site.

Resident Progress and Promotion

Regarding promotion and graduation, the residency uses a resident education assessment committee (REACH) which meets three times per year to review resident progress. The REACH committee revises guidelines for promotion and graduation periodically.

Criteria for promotion and graduation are used as guidelines by the REACH committee in evaluating resident progress and promotion in the program. Satisfactory completion of the residency is only one requirement for certification by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). Residents are referred to the ABFM for a complete delineation of certification requirements.

For promotion to PGY 2, residents must:

1. Demonstrate satisfactory completion of all rotations during the preceding year as defined by an overall rating of ‘2’ or greater on Family Practice resident evaluation form. Residents must have at least one written evaluation from a faculty supervisor for each rotation completed.
2. Successfully pass the exam portion USLME Step 3.
3. Demonstrate satisfactory continuity patient care as judged by the REACH committee on the basis of Family Practice preceptor evaluations. Residents must have at least one written evaluation per quarter from a Family Practice preceptor.
4. Demonstrate timely and satisfactory patient chart completion and clinical documentation for all rotations.
5. Achieve certification in ACLS, PALS and NALS in their PGY 1 year.
6. Demonstrate satisfactory participation in the Family Practice Core Conference Series while a PGY-1 as reflected by:
1. PGY-1 residents must present one Core Conference Series conference and receive satisfactory evaluations for this conference.
2. PGY-1 residents must attend at least 80% of core conferences that they are scheduled to attend.
7. Accumulate less than 30 days away from the program (counting combined vacation, sick time and personal leave time) during the PGY I year.
8. Achieve a composite score of 30% or higher (for PGY level) on the annual ABFP in-service exam administered each November. If lower than 30% residents must identify a faculty mentor to assist in development and implementation of an individualized educational plan.
9. Provide evaluations of faculty, each rotation, and the family practice program as part of the ongoing evaluation program of the Department and Residency.
10. Participate in REACH committee assessment at least twice yearly or as recommended by the REACH committee.
11. Complete the procedure documentation log for procedures and obstetrical deliveries done in the PGY-1 year.
12. Demonstrate satisfactory communication skills through regular contact with the program director and department using University provided electronic mail and regular mail services.
13. Abide by the policies and procedures of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania Health System (including the respective hospitals of the health system: HUP, Presbyterian, and Pennsylvania Hospital), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Family Practice residency program.
14. Be able to fulfill the duties and educational responsibilities of a PGY-2 in the Family Practice Residency at the University of Pennsylvania.

For promotion to PGY-3, residents must:

1. Demonstrate satisfactory completion of all rotations during the preceding year as defined by an overall evaluation of ‘2’ or greater on Family Practice resident evaluation form. Residents must have at least one written evaluation from a faculty supervisor for each rotation completed.
2. Demonstrate satisfactory continuity patient care as judged by REACH committee on the basis of Family Practice preceptor evaluations.
3. Demonstrate timely and satisfactory patient chart completion and clinical documentation for all rotations.
4. Demonstrate satisfactory participation in resident conferences as a PGY-2 (including Core and Key Process Conference Series) as a presenter, coordinator, and participant where appropriate as measured by completed evaluations.
1. PGY-2 residents must present 2 core conferences (1 case conference and 1 topic conference) during their PGY-2 year.
2. PGY-2 residents must attend at least 80% of core conferences that they are scheduled to attend.
3. PGY-2 residents must participate as a coordinator for a Key Process topic as well as a portion of the Core Conference Series as assigned by the program director and/or chief residents.
5. Participate in a REACH committee assessment twice yearly or as recommended by the REACH committee.
6. Participate in the administrative duties of the residency as assigned by program director and/or chief residents.
7. Satisfactory development and completion of resident electives as per residency policy on electives.
8. Accumulate less than 30 days away from the program (counting combined vacation, sick time and personal leave time) during the PGY 2 year.
9. Demonstrate satisfactory participation in your PGY class’s community project as judged by your resident class and the appropriate project faculty advisor.
10. Satisfactorily develop and complete a quality improvement project as evaluated by the Medical Director of Penn Family Care.
11. Achieve a composite score of 35% or higher (for PGY level) on the annual ABFP in-service exam administered each November. If lower than 35% residents must identify a faculty mentor to assist in development and implementation of an individualized educational plan.
12. Provide evaluations of faculty, each rotation, and the program as part of the ongoing evaluation program of the Department and Residency.
13. Complete the procedure documentation log for procedures and obstetrical deliveries done in the PGY-2 year.
14. Demonstrate satisfactory communication skills through regular contact with the program director and department using University provided electronic mail and regular mail services.
15. Abide by the policies and procedures of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania Health System (including the respective hospitals of the health system: HUP, Presbyterian, and Pennsylvania Hospital), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Family Practice residency program.
16. Be able to fulfill the duties and educational responsibilities of a PGY-3 in the Family Practice Residency at the University of Pennsylvania.

For graduation from the residency, residents must:

1. Demonstrate satisfactory completion of all rotations during the preceding year as defined by an overall evaluation of ‘2’ or greater on Family Practice resident evaluation forms. Residents must have at least one written evaluation from a faculty supervisor for each rotation completed.
2. Obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine in at least one U.S. state.
3. Demonstrate satisfactory continuity patient care as judged by REACH committee on the basis of preceptor evaluation from the family practice faculty.
4. Demonstrate timely and satisfactory patient chart completion and clinical documentation for all rotations.
5. Demonstrate satisfactory participation in resident conferences as a PGY-3 (including Core and Key Process conference Series) as a presenter, coordinator, and participant where appropriate as measured by completed evaluations.
1. PGY-3 residents must present 2 core conferences (1 case conference and 1 topic conference) during their PGY-3 year.
2. PGY-3 residents must attend at least 80% of the core conferences that they are scheduled to attend.
3. PGY-3 residents must participate as coordinator for process and core conferences as assigned by the program director and/or chief residents.
6. Participate in a REACH committee assessment twice yearly or as recommended by the REACH committee.
7. Participate in administrative duties of the residency as assigned by program director and/or chief residents.
8. Satisfactory development and completion of resident electives as per residency policy on electives.
9. Accumulate less than 30 days away from the program (counting combined vacation, sick time and personal leave time) during the PGY 3 year.
10. Demonstrate satisfactory participation in your PGY class’s community project as determined by your resident class and the appropriate project faculty advisor evaluations.