State commission recognizes UCSD Combined residency's track record in underserved care

The UCSD Combined Family Medicine & Psychiatry Residency recently received high praise from the state of California's Song-Brown Commission for our work with the underserved.

The Song-Brown Commission is a CA state commission that funds family medicine residency programs. The areas of priority for this commission are:

1. Training residents to care for underserved patients

2. Successfully sending program graduates to work in underserved areas after training

3. Recruiting under-represented minority medical students to family medicine residencies

At the recent statewide meeting of the Commission, 24 Family Medicine Residency programs were presented, including many top programs in the state that train residents in underserved settings.

The Commission was very impressed at the high quality of our residents, their dedication for working in a challenging environment, and the success our program has had in placing our graduates in FQHCs and other clinics.

At the end of the meeting, all of the programs were ranked according to how well they are achieving the goals of the Song-Brown Commission, and we are proud and honored that the UCSD Combined Family Medicine Psychiatry Residency was ranked #1. Thank you to the entire family of "combos," both current residents and alumni, for your passion and commitment to service.

San Diego's Project 25 is a success--and combined residents play an important role!

San Diego's Project 25 is a "housing first" initiative which represents a collaboration between 22 community organizations to address chronic homelessness. The program identified the 25 people in San Diego who had accrued the highest total cost to the county for emergency medical services, law enforcement, and other costs, and helped them get into stable housing, substance treatment, and regular medical care.

The St Vincent de Paul Village clinic was selected to become the "medical home" for most of these individuals, and our UCSD combined residents & faculty are proud to work closely with these patients and the Project 25 staff to address their complex medical and psychiatric illnesses. One year into this program, leaders have been able to demonstrate significant cost savings to the county, but more importantly, we have witnessed amazing changes in many lives. Local media recently reported on the positive impact of Project 25:

http://m.kpbs.org/news/2012/apr/10/does-project-25-save-san-diego-money/

More and More People Are Realizing the Value of Combined Training

In a recent blog post, a psychiatrist discusses her prior doubts about combined training, and acknowledges how combined-trained physicians will be a vital part of truly integrated health care delivery under the Affordable Care Act:

Read the Blog Post Here

More and more people are discovering what we "combos" already know: That integrating our dual training is not just possible, but incredibly necessary to meet the complex health needs in our communities.

Welcome to the Newest Members of the UCSD Combined Family!

Rachel Robitz is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine. She has earned her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from University ofCincinnati. She is a member of the AAFP, APA, and the AMP.  Her volunteer experiences include creating an empowerment program for women who were involved in prostitution in Cincinnati, research for juvenile justice fund in Atlanta, and has taught dance to children and recovering women in Ohio. In her off time she enjoys yoga, ballet, and crafts.

Theresa Chen is a graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine. She also has earned her M.S. in Biomedical Science from the University of Hawaii, Manoa andher B.A.  in Neuroscience from Middlebury College in Vermont.She is a member of AAFP, AMA, and Christian Medical and Dental Association. She has volunteered by providing care to halfway house residents in New Orleans to preparing and implementing primary school health curriculum in Kenya, Africa.  Her hobbies include dining, cooking, and hiking.

Please join us in welcoming Theresa and Rachel to the UCSD Combined Program!

UCSD Combined Residency Opening Sub-Intern Application Period!

It's that time of year again...  The time when The Combined Program opens up for applications from medical students across the country to join us for a month and see what combined practice is all about.  If you'd like to join us.. Just apply online!

Applications Open Thursday March 1st, 2012!