Physicians graduate from family medicine residency program

  • Published
  • By Ilka Cole
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The  lengthy process of the education and training required to practice Air Force medicine ended for nine family medicine residents with a June 26 graduation ceremony at the Air Force Armament Museum.

"The privilege of practicing Air Force medicine is earned through a highly competitive process.  There are vigorous educational requirements and years of hands-on training," said Col. Eveline Yao, 96th Medical Group commander.

Each year, 10 medical school graduates are selected for the three-year specialty training in family medicine. Residents learn about every aspect of the body and disease. They also treat patients of all ages and provide continuity care in the family medicine clinic.

"You are board certified specialists in family medicine.  Interns and residents, you are physicians qualified to practice your trade," said guest speaker, Air Force Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Mark Ediger. "You are also leaders in the world's best Air Force. When you practice [medicine] you will be responsible for a panel of patients. Some of you will be flight surgeons and you'll have missions to support.  In those roles you will lead." 

During the first year, residents concentrate on inpatient care and learn how to perform outpatient procedures and minor surgery. 

"They pretty much run the inpatient wards of the hospital," said Dr. Jeffrey Schievenin, one of 14 faculty in the family residence program.

As training progresses, residents continue to learn additional procedures and gain increased responsibility in their inpatient and outpatient rotations. Additionally, they spend blocks of time rotating with subspecialists in areas such as cardiology, dermatology and orthopedics. The purpose of the rotation is to provide unique experiences to the residents, who can apply it to their assigned family medicine patients, according to Maj. Scott Wiltz, the residency program director.

Resident rotations are also conducted at local partner hospitals, Hurlburt Field, the Veteran's Affairs Clinic, and at the Okaloosa County Health Department to provide a more broad experience.  These medical centers offer rotations in elective procedures, community health, psychiatry, in-patient and emergency pediatrics, and adult trauma care in a larger city environment.

"The training has led us to be very competent physicians to take care of patients everywhere. Our goal is to keep the troops healthy so they can keep their mission going," said Capt. Pamela Waters, residency program graduate. "We are trained in the entire scope of family medicine and that's the goal of all Air Force family medicine residencies."

Waters said listening without interrupting her patients was something she had to work at.

"If you listen long enough, your patients will tell you what they need, and what you need to point you toward your diagnosis. Sometimes they just want reassurance," she said. "One of my highlights was following a patient through her pregnancy, delivering her baby and subsequently providing care for the new born. Some of us have [even] had patients who got pregnant a second time.  You take care of the entire family.  That patient relationship is very special."

The training the residents receive is directly in line with the Air Force's requirements.  Upon graduation, the residents will go to Air Force hospitals and become deployable military physicians.