FAQ

How big is your program?
Our Family Medicine program has 39 residents spanning three years. Each year has 13 residents. Our program has residents from all around the world.
Update: Starting with the incoming class of residents; our program will now be accepting 10 positions. This in no way is reflective of the quality nor will change the high distinction our program is known for.

What is first year like?
As with every program, first year is a lot of work, from learning new EMR systems and hospital protocols to learning real world medicine. First year residents spend the majority of their time on hospital based rotations. The amount of time spent at the hospital decreases in second and third year. More information on specific rotations can be found on the curriculum page.

Whether you are at the hospital or ambulatory setting, you will always have full support and supervision from attending and senior residents.

How do you help first year residents transition?
Every new resident is assigned a second and third year mentor. You will be contacted by the program director, coordinator, chief residents and your mentor prior to starting in July. Everyone is committed to your transition and success. All of our seniors are available and supportive through this process in guiding the new incoming residents.  We pride ourselves on a pay-it-forward system, and it has worked well to produce well-rounded and successful physicians.  There will always be someone available to answer questions, whether it is your mentor, a senior, a fellow resident or an attending. Additionally, the hospital behavioral science department also hosts “Wellness Days” four times a year for first year residents.

How much free time do you have in first year?
First year is demanding, but you still have time to enjoy weekends and vacations if you like.  During first year, you will have 29 weekends free and 20 days of paid time off, along with conference days and wellness days.

What electronic medical record do you use?
For inpatient medicine we use GEMS and at our clinic we use Allscripts. Genesys will be transitioning to Cerner and expect the transition to be completed by the end of 2022.

How does weekend and holiday coverage work?
Genesys honors all national holidays. Our clinic is closed on observed holidays. We use a smaller team for our inpatient service to maximize the amount of residency able to have the day off. Each resident will be on-call for about 2 holidays per year.

Weekend coverage follows a template based on which rotation you are on. The schedule for the entire academic year including holidays and weekends is available at the start of the year.

Do you allow residents to have elective rotations and out of state rotations?
Yes we do! Elective rotations start in your second year of residency. There are two elective blocks in second year and three in third year. Residents may select any physician to rotate with. Any rotation over 60 miles away is considered an ‘away’ elective. Residents may take 1 ‘away’ elective per year, for a maximum of 2 throughout residency. All rotations, away or not, require approval from the program director. Most electives are approved, provided the request is placed far enough in advance and accompanied with appropriate learning objectives.

Where to residents usually go after graduation?
Most residents enter employment in an ambulatory setting. We do have graduates enter hospitalist positions. We also usually have 1-2 residents enter fellowship. Depending on the year we usually have a handful who stay in Michigan. Others find positions across the country. There are positions available within Ascension as well for qualified candidates. 

Where do people live around the area?
Within Grand Blanc and surrounding areas there are a number of apartment complexes which many residents reside in. Most are within a ten minute drive to the hospital and rent is reasonable.  Our program is very family friendly, and some residents will end up buying a house in Michigan during residency with the thought of either saying or selling after they graduate.  Real estate is reasonable in Michigan and there are many affordable areas where people will buy or rent permanent housing.

Cost of Living?
Michigan has lower cost of housing, groceries and overall cost of living compared to national average. Residents live comfortably without need for roommates and are able to enjoy frequent outings.

What are the salary and benefits?

Year	Salary	Orientation Stipend	Educational Stipend
PGY 1	$53,974	$800	$3,000
PGY 2	$56,431	n/a	$3,000
PGY 3	$58,205	n/a	$3,000

What is the dress code?
This can vary by rotation and setting. In the hospital, we wear scrubs. Scrubs are distributed by the hospital. You can have three sets at a time and exchange them any time at scrub machines. At clinic, residents wear scrubs or business casual.

What do residents do in their free time?
Our residency focuses on building interpersonal relationships within the program and many of our residents develop great friendships with each other that they carry forward after graduation. We have several program wide events every year. Recent events include paintball, tactical laser tag, TopGolf, axe throwing, fowling and potlucks. We also have regular book clubs.

Our residents enjoy the local and regional attractions. There are several restaurants and beautiful parks in the area. Both college and professional sporting events are common outings. Residents often go on weekend trips to northern and western Michigan as well. Michigan has a ton to offer from Mackinaw Island to sand dunes to countless sporting events and live music, you are not far from the action no matter your taste.  Check out our things to do page!

What is the weather like in Michigan?
Michigan weather is your typical mid-west weather.  We get all four seasons. Hot in the summer, cool in the fall and cold with snow in the winter. Our weather is famously unpredictable.

Opportunities for learning procedures?
Residents will perform a variety of procedures while rotating through various fields. Residents perform all their own procedures at our clinic. Faculty are always present for procedures for adequate supervision. Common in-office procedures include OMT, colposcopy, endometrial biopsy, IUD placement and removal, nexplanon insertion and removal, skin biopsy, skin lesion excision, cryotherapy, I&D, joint injection.

Does the program implement feedback from residents?
Yes. Residents complete confidential online evaluations of every rotation. They also complete confidential evaluations of faculty members. We have quarterly program director meetings as well as quarterly practice based improvement meetings. Both of these allow residents to bring up any workflow, educational or general concerns. All feedback is always considered and implemented as quickly as feasible. We have several committees such as the didactics committee which consist of a faculty member and a handful of residents. This allows residents to participate in creating change to improve our program.

How does your program prevent physician burnout?
We take physician and resident wellbeing very seriously. As mentioned, the hospital behavioral science department also host “Wellness Days” four times a year for first year residents. We also have annual education on healthy practices. We have a wellness committee which is designated to maintaining resident well being.

Do you allow audition rotations in your program?
YES! We offer student rotations as well as audition rotations in your 4th year of medical school. If you are interested, you can contact sharon.topolinski@ascension.org

Are there any application requirements to apply?
-Applications ONLY reviewed and accepted via ERAS (please do not email your application for review)
-Successfully pass on first attempt for Step 1/COMLEX 1 and Step 2/COMLEX 2 (preferred)
-We also have J-1 Visa sponsorship
-United States clinical experiences preferred but not required
-ECFMG certification NOT required for interview
-Must have 3 letters of recommendation
-Candidates must be within two years of graduation from medical school

What is your residency application number?
AAMC ID: 139221243 ; Please contact: debra.shuck@ascension.org if you have any further questions