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The Waco Family Medicine Residency Program offers a unique and challenging opportunity for
personal and professional growth with well-balanced exposure to medical
information, clinical skills and family-oriented healthcare.
The residency training program is one of the country's
most tenured. Two physicians began
training in 1970, establishing it as the first accredited family
medicine
residency training program in Texas. The
program is operated by the McLennan County Medical Society through a special
subsidiary, the McLennan County Medical Education and Research Foundation (MCMERF).
The physicians of the Medical Society are proud of the program's success
and serve as volunteer attending physicians on many services.
In 1983, the Family Health Center's operations were
moved to a new facility, which was funded entirely by contributions.
The building, equipment and personnel provide a superb environment for
education and for patient care.
In 1990, the program affiliated with the University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
This academic affiliation enhances educational programs for the residents and
faculty and illustrates a commitment to
academic excellence. The Family
Health Center is also a site for the required third year family practice
clerkship for medical students from Dallas.
The program is supported by Hillcrest Health System and
Providence Health Center as well as both city and county governments.
The Family Health Center was designated a Federally Qualified Health Center in
1999 which provides additional support. |
Why did
I choose Waco? “I looked all over Texas, doing 4th
year rotations at 4 strong residency programs. Waco’s atmosphere is one of
camaraderie and teamwork. The program is well known for being one of the top
FP training programs in the nation. Once I was convinced, my wife came for a
look and fell in love with the size and wonderful people. Also, there is so
much more to Waco than what you see from the interstate. A well respected zoo,
one of the largest city parks in the nation, and a great lake ‘in the backyard,’
just to name a few highlights. It wasn’t hard to find a job for my wife
either. She had a pick of several good school districts to teach for. By then,
it was said and done.”
Robert Eaker, Class of
2005
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 Why
did I choose Waco?"There
are many things about FHC that make it a great place
to train. The people
in the program are outstanding. It is a comfortable learning environment and
very balanced. I feel God led me to Waco and He has continued to confirm this
is the best place for me through encouragement and support of staff and
residents. There is no other place I would rather be."
Kevin Steele, Class of 2007 |
A family physician considers the
relationships of health to family structure and function. In a broader
sense, the physician offers healthcare to patients in the
context of their environment, i.e., family, community, financial, physical, and
mental. Medical care is for patients, rather than for their diseases, and
healthcare intervention should be adapted to individual needs.
A patient may come to a physician
with a variety of problems over the course of time. The family physician
manages the majority of illnesses though some require consultation with
other specialties. It is a responsibility of the family physician to
guide the patient through these encounters while providing quality primary care.
Provision of quality primary care demands common sense, broad medical knowledge, compassion and
expertise in clinical problem solving. Training in family medicine not
only must include instruction in the knowledge and skills of many disciplines,
but also experience with the concepts of continuous and comprehensive care.
Knowledge of disease states is critically important and the most tangible aspect
of training, yet much of the unique identity of a family physician stems from
the attention given to other aspects of health.
The resident practice is conducted
throughout the three years of training at the Family Health Center. Each
resident builds an assigned panel of families, while progressively increasing
time and responsibility in the clinic. The resident is the primary
provider of healthcare for families, for both ambulatory and hospital needs.
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