<<Return to Directory
Program Contact Information
Program at a Glance
Program Details
Community-Oriented Primary Care Projects: All residents complete a longitudinal
scholarly project using a community-based participatory model. Existing
community-based research activities within the department include piloting diabetes group medical visits within our primary clinic, creating high school and undergraduate pre-health pipeline programs, understanding and evaluating adverse childhood events (ACEs) within our community, and working with community organizers to promote migrant and refugee health, to name a few.
Geriatrics: Our curriculum includes comprehensive Geriatrics assessment clinics (through the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE), home visits, longitudinal nursing home care and experience at San Diego Hospice, site of the Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship.
Substance Use Disorder Training: All residents are invited to participate in X Waiver certification to obtain MAT training as provided by the residency program. Second year residents then have the opportunity to work in SUD clinic through San Ysidro Health. We also offer a continuity track for SUD and behavioral medicine for residents interested in advanced training.
Patient Centered Medical Home and Quality Improvement: Our primary clinic, Chula Vista Medical Plaza, part of San Ysidro Health, is designated a PCMH facility by the AHRQ. Our outpatient curriculum includes PCMH-training in a federally-qualified health center along with hands-on experience with QI projects within our primary clinic. Utilizing materials and resources from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, residents learn about organizational management, PDSA cycle-led improvements, and outpatient workflow and efficiency.
Distance Learning: Due to our current state of pandemic, we are continuously adjusting to remote and distance learning. All of our didactics (lunch lectures, Grand Rounds, morning reports) and meetings have transitioned to virtual platforms. Residents have also utilized this opportunity to complete distance learning and trainings in various areas, including ACEs awareness, MAT/X-waiver, integrative medicine, advanced dermatology, and point-of-care ultrasound training, among many others.
Wellness: We also place a great emphasis on our structured wellness curriculum, mirroring the ACGME Aware framework. Through this well-being curriculum, residents and faculty engage in skill development and mindfulness to help promote a healthy and sustainable workforce. We work closely with the Employee Assistance Program psychologists to provide individual and group resident support.
Quarterly, we host an event called Residents and Faculty Together (RAFT), which gives us the opportunity to connect with each other and our community. Social activities include Halloween costume contests, beach barbecues, bowling, and visiting a local animal sanctuary. Other community engagement RAFTs have included virtual tours of community art spaces, visiting local museums, and cooking classes at an organic farm.
During the month of November, our residents and faculty support men’s health with an annual “Movember” mustache contest and fundraiser. We also participate in a white elephant gift exchange at our annual Holiday Party hosted by our program director. Every holiday season, our residents sing carols and spread holiday cheer for our nursing home patients.
During our annual retreats, all residents and staff spend a weekend away together where they relax, reflect on the year, and form long-lasting memories. Our residents also enjoy being active whether by hiking in our beautiful San Diego backyard, biking, participating in fitness classes together, or Latin dancing. There is always something fun to do!