AltaMed Family Medicine Residency Program

There has never been a greater need for primary care physicians who have been trained to work with diverse patient populations, and the AltaMed Family Medicine Residency Program will provide first-hand knowledge. We look forward to working together to eradicate health care disparities.

- Cástulo de la Rocha, President and CEO

Highlights:

Based in an FQHC with a 50-year history of expanding access and improving care in ethnically diverse communities
Hospital partners with traditions of excellence in education
A high-functioning outpatient clinic system where you can focus on caring for your patients and providing population-level care
A robust curriculum with opportunities to develop the skills necessary to become both academic and professional leaders
Ample elective time that allows you to develop and pursue specialized interests and prepare for your future career
Mentorship from a diverse group of physicians recognized for their work in education
The AltaMed Family Medicine Residency Program emphasizes outpatient care and community medicine with Family and Community Medicine (FCM) rotations in every graduate training year. Each of these rotations has a theme, including:
- Behavioral health
- Youth Outreach
- Vulnerable Populations
- Mobile medicine
- Practice management and quality improvement
- Advocacy
Unique opportunities throughout our Southern California network. View our facilities here.

Mission

Our mission is to recruit and train physicians who are committed to eliminating disparities in health care access and outcomes by providing superior health and human services for culturally diverse communities in Southern California.

Vision

Our goal is to be the leading, community-based teaching health center providing training to the next generation of primary care physicians, and ultimately, to make a significant and lasting impact on the health and prosperity of the communities we serve. We aim to build teams that are as diverse as the communities we serve. Read our inclusion statement.

Your Opportunity

AltaMed is the nation’s largest independent federally qualified community health center, serving more than 300,000 members throughout Southern California every year. In addition to health care, we are committed to eliminating barriers to care and advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for our patients and workforce. Stay connected with the AltaMed Family Residency program through our newsletter.

Program Overview

Program Highlights

Learn more about the values and commitment that characterize AltaMed and influence the way we deliver care.

Research Opportunities

Learn more about the program, including research projects conducted by the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity.

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Research Opportunities

AltaMed Institute for Health Equity (AIHE)

With a commitment to social justice and the understanding that FQHCs play a significant role in achieving health equity, AltaMed launched the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity (AIHE) in 2017. The Institute uses grant-funded research and community engagement to gain a deeper understanding of the health problems that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic groups, including the factors that lead to disparities in clinical outcomes.

At the Institute, our ultimate goal is to provide actionable guidance that addresses key issues in health equity at the systemic level. Our research directly informs AltaMed system and service modifications to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities.

Designated Institutional Officer and Director of the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity

Efrain Talamantes, MD, MBA, MScDesignated Institutional Officer and Director of the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity

Dr. Efrain Talamantes is the Designated Institutional Officer and Director for the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity where he leads health services, community-partnered research, and training to advance health equity and medical education. He is a Principal Investigator for federal research grants and is widely published in peer-reviewed journals on the topics of workforce and health equity. He is committed to engaging AltaMed residents in all areas of research and scholarly work.

Dr. Talamantes previously served as Associate Director for the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Center for Reducing Health Disparities and as Associate Program Director for the UC Davis Internal Medicine Residency Program. He also co-directed the Center for a Diverse Healthcare Workforce. He is a co-founder of MiMentor and leads initiatives throughout the country to enhance leadership and diversity in health care.

During his academic career, Dr. Talamantes was an RWJF Clinical Scholar. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), completed residency at UC Davis, and obtained his MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Dr. Talamantes received his Master of Science in Health Policy and Management at the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA.

Salary & Benefits

AltaMed Family Medicine Residency Program offers a competitive and comprehensive array of benefits.

Curriculum

PGY-1

See details of responsibilities for Postgraduate Year 1.

PGY-2

See details of responsibilities for Postgraduate Year 2.

PGY-3

See details of responsibilities for Postgraduate Year 3.

Application Requirements

Start here to learn how to prepare your application. Please follow the instructions carefully and adhere to the requirements. We are fully committed to ERAS rules and regulations.

Interview Process

The interview is a key part of a successful application. Learn more about the process and how to prepare.

Application FAQs

Finding the right residency program to apply to is an important decision. Make sure you have all the information you need.

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Application FAQs

Here are answers to common questions about the application process, requirements, and the AltaMed Family Medicine Residency Program.

1. What is unique or different about AltaMed’s Family Medicine Residency Program?

Unlike traditional hospital-based programs, the AltaMed Family Medicine Residency Program (FMRP) is based in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The FMRP uses a “clinic first” model that prioritizes and emphasizes outpatient primary care delivery. Health equity is integral to the program and is incorporated seamlessly into the program’s three-year curriculum. Our program is accredited by ACGME.

2. What are the application criteria?

Requirements for all applicants:

Completed ERAS residency application
One letter of recommendation from a family physician
Two additional letters of recommendation from completed rotations
Dean's letter
Medical school transcript
USMLE/COMLEX transcript
Personal statement
Curriculum vitae (ERAS CV is acceptable)
Photograph

3. What are you looking for in an applicant?

We are looking for applicants who are aligned with the vision and mission of AltaMed, and have a demonstrated passion for and commitment to work in ethnically diverse, medically vulnerable communities. We are looking for residents who prioritize service. We are committed to recruiting, training and retaining underrepresented minorities in medicine. Additionally, fluency in Spanish preferred but not required.

4. How many letters of recommendation do you require? Does one of the letters need to be from a family physician?

We require three letters of recommendation, one of them from a family physician.

5. May I fax or email additional information to go along with my application?

No. Please view our “how to apply” page and submit the required information along with your application via ERAS.

6. What is your application deadline?

December 18, 2021

7. Do you train residents who are international medical graduates (IMG)?

Yes, but priority is given to U.S. graduates. Additional requirements for graduates of international medical schools (except Canadian) students include:

Six to 12 months of U.S.-based, hands-on clinical experience (preferably in primary care)
Three letters of recommendation from an American medical school faculty member, who can verify your clinical skills. Letter-writers should have either:
- Worked with you prior to your arrival in the United States
- Worked with you in an internship, externship, clerkship, or equivalent experience
Evidence of having passed the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams
ECFMG certification

8. Do you participate in the Match?

Yes, AltaMed’s Family Medicine Residency Program participates in the Match.
NRMP Program Code: 2236120C0

9. Do you sponsor visas?

No. We do not accept or sponsor visas.

10. Can DACA recipients apply?

Yes, DACA recipients are welcome and encouraged to apply.

11. I applied. What happens next?

Our team will review your application on ERAS. If you are selected for an interview, our program coordinator will reach out to you to schedule a time. We have a limited amount of travel assistance based on financial need and academic merit combined.

To learn more about our requirements, please see questions 2, 4 and 7.

12. What types of patients will I see in a week working in family medicine?

AltaMed’s South Gate clinic provides over 60,000 visits per year to an ethnically diverse population, including many people who are underinsured or uninsured. The clinic primarily provides family medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology services along with dental care and a wide variety of community programs. There is an integrated behavioral health program. About 60% of our patients are females and 6.5% are under the age of 2.

13. What procedures will I learn during this residency?

AltaMed South Gate has a longitudinal procedures clinic set up to provide residents with the procedure training necessary to succeed.

Skin Biopsy: excisional, punch and shave
Colposcopy
Contraceptive implant insertion and removal
Cast/splint application and removal
Endometrial biopsy
Genital wart treatment
I&D abscess, skin
Ingrown toenail surgery/excision
IUD insertion and removal
Joint aspiration
Joint injection
Laceration repair
OB ultrasound

Other procedures will be performed in the hospital setting.

14. Does AltaMed use electronic medical records (EMR)?

Yes. AltaMed uses Epic. Adventist Health White Memorial (AHWM) and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) use Cerner.

15. What are the salary and benefits for residents?

AltaMed offers a variety of benefits. Please see the salary and benefits page for reference.

16. Is there a research requirement?

Yes. All residents must participate in two scholarly projects during their residency program. We partner with the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity to offer opportunities that are timely, clinically relevant, and advance health equity.

17. What types of elective rotations are available?

Residents will have the opportunity to choose from several different elective rotations, view Block Rotation Schedule.