Curriculum

At The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, we don’t just educate and train doctors – we shape leaders in full-spectrum family medicine. Our curriculum is designed to empower residents with the clinical expertise, confidence and compassion to thrive in any health-care setting, large or small.

Our residency is a university-based program that emphasizes:

  • Comprehensive, community-based training and service.
  • Preparation for board certification in family medicine.
  • Training at two hospitals in the DCH Health System – DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, a 583-bed referral hospital serving West Alabama and Northport Medical Center, a 204-bed hospital with a range of inpatient and outpatient services.

Residents are supported by:

  • A team of skilled and experienced full-time faculty.
  • Dedicated community physician volunteers.

Inpatient and Outpatient Experiences

Our robust, hands-on curriculum covers a wide range of specificities, ensuring that you are prepared for the diverse challenges of family medicine.

Inpatient Training: High-acuity care at DCH Regional Medical Center with open ICU access and a strong critical care component.

Outpatient Continuity: Our ambulatory care training is rooted in a network of diverse, high-quality outpatient settings that reflect the full scope of family medicine. Residents gain hands-on experience at University Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, UMC-Northport, UMC-Demopolis and select private physician offices across West Alabama.

Didactics

  • Weekly Tuesday afternoon lectures and workshops led by specialists.
  • Morning reports three times a week to sharpen clinical reasoning.
  • Monthly Journal Club to stay current with evidence-based medicine.
  • Access to online modules and CME opportunities through the UA College of Community Health Sciences. Check here for more information about CME at CCHS.

Rotations

Our residency curriculum prepares residents for excellence in the full spectrum of family medicine care by providing many rotations and learning opportunities. The information below illustrates the typical breakdown of rotations by year of training.

PGY-1

RotationRotations
Community Medicine and Practice Management1
EKG1
General Surgery1
Geriatrics1
Inpatient Medicine Service3
Night Float2
OB/GYN2
Pediatrics – Clinic1
Pediatrics – Hospital1

PGY-2

RotationRotations
Emergency Medicine1
GYN Clinic1
Inpatient Medicine Service1
Internal Medicine Clinic 1
Night Float1
Practice Management1
Psychiatry1

PGY-2 or PGY-3

RotationRotations
Cardiology1
Elective5
Inpatient Medicine Service1
Neurology1
Orthopedics1
Pediatrics Clinic1
Pharmacotherapy and Radiology1
Rural Medicine1
Sports Medicine1
Surgical – ENT, Ophthalmology, and Urology1
Pick four of these rotations
Inpatient Medicine Service1
OB Night Float1
OB/GYN Upper Level1
Pediatrics1
Pediatrics Night Float1

PGY-3

RotationRotations
Emergency Medicine1