HCA Florida Capital Hospital, an affiliate of HCA Florida Healthcare, launched their first ever Graduate Medical Education Residency Program in partnership with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Accredited by the Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the new program will train residents in dermatology, and psychiatric medicine. The psychiatric residency is the first and only program of its kind in the Big Bend Region.
A residency is a critical component of a physician’s career path. The programs last between three and seven years, depending on the specialty, and follows graduation from medical school to prepare physicians for independent practice in a medical specialty.
“HCA Florida Capital Hospital is very excited to partner with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine to bring this new residency program to our community,” said Trey Blake, MD, Chief Medical Officer for HCA Florida Capital Hospital. “Our hospital and trained medical staff make HCA Florida Capital Hospital an ideal partner for the residents. In addition, attracting and retaining talent is key to expanding access to care and improving the health of our community. As these residents complete their training, our community and region will see economic and health benefits. We are fortunate to have the strong infrastructure necessary to create this program as well as our team of physicians who can train the next generation of caregivers.”
Across the country, HCA Healthcare is the largest sponsor of residency and fellowship programs for physicians. The impact of HCA Healthcare’s efforts to train the next generation of healthcare leaders is significant and each program helps to address the doctor shortage nationwide. Currently, the program includes 66 teaching hospitals in 16 states that include:
o 5,009 Residents
o 312 Fellows
o 236 Residency Programs
o 84 Fellowship Programs
In Florida, HCA Healthcare is home to the largest teaching hospital system. With over 2,100 residents and fellows at 23 hospitals, HCA Healthcare trains the most, new doctors in Florida. With the level of experience that HCA Healthcare has in developing Graduate Medical Education Programs and the expert training provided by the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, HCA Florida Capital Hospital is well positioned for immediate success.
“We are delighted to partner with HCA Florida Capital Hospital and serve the Big Bend Region,” said Dr. Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and the founding dean of the UCF College of Medicine. “Our mission at the UCF College of Medicine includes improving healthcare for all. Residency programs are an important part of that effort. Physicians often remain in the community where they had their residency training and our programs will allow the Tallahassee region to have a supply of outstanding, compassionate young physicians, now and into the future.”
The first two residency programs at HCA Florida Capital Hospital are in the specialties of dermatology and psychiatric medicine. As part of the program, residents will experience National Grand Rounds, a series of webinars that leverage accomplished clinical expertise from across HCA Healthcare that brings the nation’s leading medical experts to our residency programs.
