Retreat

Our residents, inspired to continue to make this a great program, which keeps getting better!

While it may look a little like that hotel in The Shinning, Hueston Woods Lodge located about one hour from Cincinnati, is the welcoming sight of our yearly retreat. [Editor's note: while some of the picture may suggest otherwise, it does not always snow]

The Wellness

The Purpose 

As required by the ACGME, every residency program must have a yearly time for the residents to focus on program improvement and evaluation. We are lucky that our retreat also focuses on bonding and fun! Held over two days in March each year, the Family Medicine Retreat is a time to talk about goals for the program, suggest improvements, and take the all important group photo. 

Bonfire wellness

Our wellness committee, lead by Rory and Melissa, nailed the fun part of retreat. Not only did they stage an "escape game" (based on pizza and zombies) they also arranged an evening bonfire- with smores for everyone (including vegan options). And while it was a little cold for a hike, we did guided meditation which is almost as good (and better if you ask the Californians). 

Red Team escaped the zombies first

Black Team added Baby Koch as an additional team member

Sadly, Blue Team was eaten by the zombies

Green Team is ready to play

Match Day!

Bern- so excited- but waiting until 12:30 let us know who matched. 

We are proud and excited to announce our incoming interns!

Family Medicine

Andrea Jaramillo - Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Emily Levinson- University of Missouri

Elizbeth Peters- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Melissa Saab - Marshall University

Sara Stigler- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Alex Vance - Marshall University

Family Medicine/Psychiatry 

Samantha Lammie- Emory University School of Medicine

Laura Ledvora- Medical College of Wisconsin

The residents pose with our newest colleagues. Those are real smiles!

Match Week - Day 4 - Not Just for Students

While we residents have enjoyed reliving our own Match Day's this week, we can't help but think about all the exciting career events of the people we work with. From the MAs who keep the FMC running, to the residency staff who help us with... well everything, and, who could forget, our attendings, it's fun to see all sorts of celebrations. 

While the med school graduation robes may be in Slytherin colors, our FMC medical director Dr. Hartmann is a Gryffindor all the way 

Dr. Goroncy celebrates her Match Day in front of the Virginia state capital

a residency celebration classic, note Dr. Diller and Judy- our scheduling queen- in the upper left hand corner

Dr. Lazaron shows off the first baby she delivered

Ms Mary, medical assistant to the stars, smiles as she celebrates graduation 

Recently discovered paintings from the little known Lascaux Cave Annex, soon to be famous for Dr. Morgeson's Match Day self portrait 

Dr. Mount in matching Match shirts (say that 5 times fast)

Jackie with the last baby she delivered to graduate from midwifery school 

Dr. Collins in his last year of med school, getting ready to save the world 

we love Ms. Shyra's (MA extraordinaire) smile

Dr. Eckart, current geri fellow, shows off his hip bump

Another important day in Dr. Hartmann's career, accepted to work at DisneyWorld

Dr. Rosenthal shows off one of her too-many-deliveries-to-count

Judy around her high school gaduation 

Dr. Mount literally running to get her letter

This is a two-for. Dr. Yeager and Dr. Almaraz celebrate matching... together 

Dr. Lazaron posing with the first mother she helped through delivery 

Dr. Keeler, our beloved inpatient pharmacist, on his match day 

Ms. Rhonnie, our patient service specialist, looks great showing off her diploma

Leah, one of our office RNs, shows off in cap and gown

Dr. Glass in the classic green medical hood of graduation day 

Maggie, our residency program coordinator, celebrates graduation with her girls 

Dr. Rich celebrating Match Day

Lisa RN, our office manager, at college graduation 

Match Week - Day 3 - How You Celebrate

Halfway there... anyone else as excited as we are to get to Friday? Today we offer some comparisons in how to spend Match Day. As you are see, there is no wrong way to celebrate the day!

Balloons

Clearly a balloon drop offers drama and excitement--But we sort of think Darshana's happy tears are the main focus here. 

The balloons might make you think of "Up," but for us, Aruna's excitement steals the show. 

friends

As you know, in med school friends can become family - they are there from Step 1 to Third Year Surgery - seeing them Match is a highlight of your four years. As you can see, Shelby agrees! 

Elizabeth -- even without the match letters in the photo -- knows that you want to remember the day with your friends. 

Places

Catherine demonstrates her commitment to global health and celebrates her Match Day in Guatemala

Sarah decided to spend the day a little closer to home :)

Family

Even if you are not couples matching, like Kip, your family went to med school with you. Always nice to include them in the day! 

As you saw from Suzanne's Match Day video- her family is part of her drive to be the amazing physician she is. 

St Patrick's Day

Every so often Match Day falls on St. Patrick's Day. You may find, like Chris did, that a match letter is at the end of a rainbow  

Match Week - Day 2 - Celebration Styles

As we gear up for this coming Friday, we can't help but look back and think about our own Match days. The anxiety, the joy, the earthquakes (true story, Match Week, 2014, California). This is one of the most important days of your career., so matter how you choose to celebrate-- make sure you get good pictures of it! 

Kara celebrating with "The Arm Jump" 

Melissa and Mary do a great job with  " The Finding Your Future Co-Intern and Posing"

Christian demonstrating the classic "Too Excited to Even Hold the Mike" celebration technique

Eric with "The Mandatory Letter Pose"

Corey doing "The Group Letter Wave"

Brian and "The Couples Match"

Rory find it is best to express her excitment with "The Dancing with Myself" 

Mike raises"The Toast"

Rachel finds "Celebrating is Always Better with a Dog"

Anna is too cute with "The I'm So Excited and I Just Can't Hide It"

Shanna with "The Joint Announcement" 

Always a master of self-discipline, Kirsten shows off "The Stop Taking Pictures so I Can Open My Envelope!" 

Match Week Arrives!

Welcome to Match Week 2018! This is an exciting week not just for students but also for the program. We are proud to announce that we have matched all 6 of our categorical FM spots in addition to the 2 FMP spots. Can't wait to meet our newest colleagues. Friday can't come soon enough! 

While we wait for this year's results, feel free to watch this video which highlights Dr. Suzanne Watson during Match 2017. You can't fake that joy!

"Clinic First"- More than Just a Mantra

"How much of your practice time do you want to spend in clinic?" This important question serves as a branch point for medical students as they decide what kinds of doctors they want to become. For the average future family medicine physician the answer is "All Of It!"

Meet our newest mascot, the Clinic First hippo, and the rest of the team. 

But lots of things can get in the way of clinic time, especially in residency, when one learns skills in multiple sights across a variety of disciplines. How does a training program maintain a focus on outpatient clinic in the setting of many other requirements? In short, how do we make "Clinic First"? 

It turns out these questions are being asked by many family medicine residency programs across the country. Our program director, Dr. Bernheisel, was proud to further this discussion by sending a small group, including chief residents Dr. Ciani and Dr. Beckman, intern Dr. Gausvik, and core faculty Dr. Spata to the AFMRD Clinic First Collaborative in Kansas City.  The collaborative was attended by 18 programs in various stages of implementing their own form of a "Clinic First" residency.

Our team returned from the meeting with a new mascot, the "Clinic First" Hippo, and a high level of excitement to share what they had learned. "Clinic First" is more than a schedule, a curriculum, or a 2-word mantra to hum while reflecting on difficult clinic experiences. It is a mission to equip primary care doctors to face the myriad of challenges awaiting within the current state of healthcare. At the core this model focuses on the need for consistent resident schedules, which prioritize continuity with patients, an increase in resident clinic time, the development of cohesive and multidisciplinary clinic teams, and engagement of residents in practice transformation.

We are excited to continue our learning in web-based conferences as we work to transform our residency to be "Clinic First!" 

I'm Gonna Let You Finish Mr. Clemens... but Music Hall

This will be an ongoing series... to see the first post click here

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The classic 1878 facade with the modern crowd awaiting an outdoor concert. 

It is hard to imagine a much more cosmopolitan way to spend an evening than a night at the symphony. And while we don't have a phantom like the Paris Opera House, we do have Music Hall and its music loving ghosts. Built in 1878, Music Hall is the home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Opera, and the Cincinnati Pops while also hosting some performances from the Cincinnati Ballet. No matter if your taste run towards Bach or the complete John Williams' score for Harry Potter (like this writer) you can find a concert here.

Inside the main enterance 

Having reopened in October 2017, after a 16-month long renovation, Music Hall retains its historic edifice but you can now enjoy improved acoustics and, most important, more leg room between the seats (those 5'10" and over will understand). To see an upcoming event list click here. 

Global Health Check In

Our local partners at Clinica Miller with some members of the November team 

Headed to a home visit

Three times a year our residency hosts global health trips to Guatemala with residents and attendings working with our partner organization, Wuqu' Kawoq. By visiting more frequently we hope to increase on-the-ground capacity while also retaining continuity of care. The most recent group traveled this past November and consisted of 4 attendings and 7 residents (spanning from PGY1-5) from the FM, FM-Psych, and EM programs in Cincinnati. 

The Guatemalan Highlands

This two week trip started in Chocola where our team worked at Clinica Miller. The clinic's full-time nurse, Glenda, and community health worker, Irma-both Chocola natives- utilized the extra hands and supplies to expand care to more community members. The second week found the team near the headquarters of Wuqu' Kawoq in the Guatemalan Highlands. Each day they worked in a different community where, due to high need, not all patients can be seen in a monthly physician visit (the goal which Wuqu' Kawoq usually provides.) The amazing local nurses care for these patients year round and act as out leads to help maintain local continuity.  Joining the team were extra interpreters who ensured these patients would receive healthcare in their native language, a right often unavailable in Guatemala. 

The resident team saw between 25 and 40 patients each day and improved their POC ultrasound and tropical medicine skills while also maintaining the balancing act of delivering care in a resource-limited environment. Two of the team (Suzanne and Shanna) used elective time to stay 2 additional weeks and study medical Spanish classes at a Spanish school in Antigua, Guatemala. 

Second Look!

Now that it's almost January, it's time to start thinking about Second Look Weekend! This year we will be hosting our events Friday Jan 12th and Saturday Jan 13th. Before we get to the details-- and trust us, they are exciting-- we figured we would answer some questions first.

What is Second Look?

While we can't promise lanterns, The Transept is a cool converted church where we will host the resident cocktail hour on Jan 12. (photo credit: http://cincinnatirefined.com/lifestyle/photos-lunar-new-year-party-held-at-transept-otr-cincinnati-january-2017

Second look is a weekend-long event that allows you to come back and visit Cincinnati without all the pressure of interview day. You can meet more residents and attendings, ask any questions that may have come to mind, and also get a sense of if you can truly live in Cincinnati for the next 3-5 years. 

Is it mandatory?

Nope! While we invite all of our interviewees, this is not a mandatory event. We understand that you are medical students who have rotations and clinical duties which can make it hard (not to mention expensive) to come back. 

Winter wonderland? Yes

Cold? Also yes

Can my family come?

Absolutely! We welcome you to bring any of the significant figures (math joke) in your life. In the past we have had spouses, partners, siblings, and children. Remember that moving to Cincinnati does not just affect you. Making sure that the people in your support network can see themselves here is important to us too. Do remember to RSVP for these folks if they are joining any of the events. 

Your eyes do not deceive you. The night sky does say Cincinnati!

What should I bring?  Do I need a suit?

No suit required for this event, but make sure that you bring warm clothes and check the weather before hand. (Trust us, one of our Californian residents current has her office set to 82).  If you stick with business casual and warm coat you should be fine. No need to bring copies of your resumes or professional folios. We always recommend bringing a sense of adventure!

While we are pretty sure we wont meet Fiona at the Zoo, we do usually get to pet a friendly penguin.

What is happening?

By now you should have gotten an e-mail from the program coordinator regarding the schedule. We start from 7-11 on Friday at The Transept for a cocktail hour with the residents- this gives you the chance to get a sense of us in a less formal atmosphere. Then Saturday from 9:30 to noon is the legendary Cincinnati bus tour. This is a can't-miss introduction to the city with commentary by our very own Reid Hartman and Jeff Schlaudecker. Finally we have lunch from 1-5 at the Cincinnati Zoo. Probably slightly more formal in tone, you can meet with residents and attendings to find out even more about our program. Also we usually get to pet a baby animal of some sort... which is awesome. (FMP applicants please note you have a slightly different schedule and we will reach out to you directly)

It is our pleasure to host you for Friday night the 12th at Spring Hills Suites!

What if I can only come to part of the event?

Let us know! We would love to see you as much as we can. 

My roommate/best friend/adviser said that if I really want to be considered I have to go? 

See question 2, definitely not mandatory. Being able to come does not affect your position on the rank list. Communication is key from here on out. Email us and stay in touch. If there are any questions we can answer, let us know! If you want to come for a visit on a different date, reach out! Making sure to show us your interest in super important. 

Wait! You are paying for a hotel?

Yep! We are pleased to offer lodging for Friday the 12th at Spring Hills Suites.