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In September 2015, CommuniCare Health Centers, now known as CommuniCare, partnered with the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) to join the Texas Institute for Graduate Medical Education and Research (TIGMER) residency programs. This collaboration established the Community-Based Family Medicine (CBFM) residency program, dedicated to training future family physicians within the community setting.

In our Community-Based Family Medicine (CBFM) residency program, residents are deeply involved in serving the community through health fairs and other health promotion events. We actively encourage our residents to engage in scholarly work, contributing to research projects that advance the field of medicine. Many of our residents have had their research published and have presented at both national and regional conferences. Our faculty members are dedicated to helping residents develop strong clinical inquiry skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for success in their medical careers.
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Locally, our residents take an active role in the Bexar County Medical Society (BCMS), an organization dedicated to supporting physicians in providing top-quality care to the community. Our residents serve as representatives on the Public Health and Patient Advocacy Committee.
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At the state level, our residents are actively engaged with the Texas Academy of Family Physicians (TAFP), an organization that empowers family physicians to play a vital role in healthcare for their patients and communities. Residents are invited to participate in TAFP’s annual research competition, where they present their findings through poster presentations at the state conference. They are also encouraged to take on leadership roles and participate in professional development activities that help them build the skills needed for long-term career success. Additionally, through both TAFP and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), our residents have submitted research and presented posters at regional conferences.

UIW News [10/02/2024]

“According to recently published data by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the US will have a projected shortage of approximately 86,000 physicians by 2036. (AAMC, March 21, 2024). Much of this need will be concentrated in areas that are already underserved medically. Here in San Antonio, a community-based Family Medicine Residency Program is growing to help alleviate the critical local shortage of primary care physicians, and with an aim to attract more doctors to practice in our city’s underserved areas.

 

Since the program’s inception, 40 residents have completed the program. All the residents who completed the program are now Board-certified Family Medicine Physicians practicing across the United States. There are six who remained with Communicare clinics and four more practicing in the San Antonio area. Additionally, five graduates were accepted into fellowships including Hospice and Palliative Care, Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine and Geriatrics. One graduate went on to complete a Preventative Medicine residency and joined the CDC Obesity Branch. Currently, there are 24 residents in the program and the residency includes three years of training.”

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OUR MODEL

The CBFM residency program follows the Teaching Health Center model, placing residents on the front lines of healthcare under the mentorship of our esteemed Board-Certified faculty.

Our program is designed to train future physicians in delivering Community-Oriented, Patient-Centered, and High-Quality primary care, with a special focus on serving underserved populations and improving access to medical treatment for all.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to deliver exceptional clinical training while providing the highest quality healthcare to our patients.

Upon successful completion of the program, the physician will be prepared to provide comprehensive primary care to diverse populations in multiple clinical settings. The program offers the resident with well-structured training in both cognitive and procedural domains, which will provide primary responsibility for patient care in the inpatient and outpatient settings. This training will offer a variety of didactic and clinical experiences as well as utilization of osteopathic principles and practices relating to family medicine.

Graduates of the residency program will have numerous opportunities to launch their careers at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in South Texas, with options for participation in the Physician Education Loan Repayment Program (PELRP).

OUR FUNDING

The TIGMER Community-Based Family Medicine Residency Program is made possible through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) GME Expansion and Operational Grant Programs, a major grant from The Center for Health Care Services (CHCS) and support from CommuniCare and the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. Additional support also comes from the Baptist Health System and GME positions from the Department of Veterans Affairs.