Baptist Health UAMS GME

Program Highlights

2027 – 2028

Baptist Health – UAMS Transitional Year

Academic Year: June 17, 2027 – June 16, 2028

The Baptist Health – UAMS Transitional Year Program operates on an ‘off-cycle’ academic calendar, beginning rotations two weeks earlier than the standard academic cycle. This schedule is designed to facilitate a smooth transition, providing residents ample time at the conclusion of the year to relocate for their subsequent advanced specialty training. Please note the following important dates for 2027:

May 10 – June 4     Human Resources & Employee Health Screening Appointment Incoming residents are required to complete an in-person appointment for employment clearance during this designated period.

June 8 – 15               Transitional Year Orientation Week

June 16                     Institutional Orientation Day

June 17                     Rotations begin 

Curriculum

The Transitional Year Residency curriculum provides a comprehensive academic experience, offering diverse exposure to varied patient populations, medical conditions, and clinical practice environments. Residents receive expert mentorship from outstanding clinical faculty, all of whom are practicing physicians at Baptist Health Medical Center – North Little Rock.

Rotations

The Baptist Health-UAMS Transitional Year residency program consists of twelve monthly blocks. In collaboration with the Program Director, each resident develops a customized schedule to align with the requirements of their chosen specialty. Residents rotate alongside internal medicine, family medicine, and psychiatry categorical residents, ensuring a collaborative and multidisciplinary learning environment.

Fundamental Clinical Skills Rotations

All schedules are designed to meet ACGME standards while supporting individual career goals. To fulfill the ACGME requirement of 24 weeks of Fundamental Clinical Skills (FCS) in primary specialties, our residents complete the following:

  • ACGME required:
    • 4 weeks and 140 hours of emergency medicine 
    • 4 weeks and 140 hours of ambulatory clinic 
    • Minimum 8 weeks of inpatient rotations 
    • Minimum 8 weeks of elective rotations
  • Program Assignments: 
    • 3 months of Internal Medicine wards
    • 2 months of emergency medicine
    • 4 weeks and a minimum of 140 hours of ambulatory
    • 6 months of electives

Electives 

    • Anesthesiology
    • Cardiology*
    • Critical Care – ICU
    • Dermatology*
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Hematology/Oncology*
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Orthopedics 
    • Pediatrics – Ambulatory
    • Pediatrics – IP *
    • Physical Medicine & Rehab 
    • Pulmonary
    • Radiation Oncology*
    • Radiology – Diagnostic*
    • Radiology – Interventional*
    • Rheumatology
    • Sports Medicine
    • Wound Care

*Upon approval and availability per UAMS and/or ACH

Didactics

Transitional Year-Specific Didactics

The Program Director facilitates monthly didactic sessions, for which all TY residents are excused from clinical duties to attend. These sessions serve as a forum to discuss clinical experiences, personal progress, and program challenges. Guest speakers are invited for specialty topics such as financial advice and investment planning , and residents are scheduled to present the following to peers and faculty: 

  • Two Case-Based Presentations
  • One Lesson Learned Presentation
  • One Team Journal Club

Transitional Year Bi-Weekly Curriculum

Transitional Year Core Faculty host bi-weekly lectures focused on Fundamental Clinical Skills topics to support resident preparation for USMLE Step or COMLEX Level 3 exams.

Internal Medicine Didactics

Transitional Year Residents are expected to attend the Internal Medicine didactic sessions held Monday-Friday at noon. The IM conferences include a broad-range of topics, including, but not limited to: Interprofessional team-based training; Hospitalist Noon Report; Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) Journal Club; Morbidity and Mortality Conference; Wellness Curriculum; Grand Rounds; Business of Medicine; Professional Development; Patient Safety and Quality Improvement; ACP Board Prep Curriculum; MKSAP Board Prep Curriculum; and many subspecialty lectures.

Simulation Training

Our annual simulation training curriculum encompasses a broad spectrum of critical competencies, including procedural skills, code management, advanced airway intervention, ACLS protocols, and complex patient scenario training.

Educational Conferences

We provide residents with five professional leave days and encourage attendance at state, regional, or national educational conferences. A supplemental $500 fund is available for those invited to present at these conferences. Additionally, residents are required to collaborate with a Baptist Health faculty member to develop a poster presentation based on one of their TY Didactic case-based presentations for submission to the annual Baptist Health Research and Innovation Symposium each May.

Hospital Involvement

Transitional Year residents actively participate in operational improvements at Baptist Health Medical Center – North Little Rock. Under the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer, they attend Quality Review Council meetings and present patient cases to the Patient Safety Committee. These experiences provide residents with direct interaction with hospital leadership and insight into hospital operations.

Community Involvement

Our Transitional Year residents actively champion community health through impactful outreach and service. Whether volunteering with local charitable organizations or community events to provide medical support or free vaccinations, serving on the sideline medical team for a rural high school Friday night football game, or igniting the next generation’s passion for medicine through educational presentations and fun interactive projects, our residents are dedicated to fostering health and inspiration far beyond the hospital walls.

Policies

The residency program aims to provide residents with an extensive experience in the art and science of medicine in order to achieve excellence in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of patients. To achieve this goal, residents agree to abide by certain policies and guidelines. In return, residents get a number of benefits and the training they need to be successful in their careers.  The residency program follows all ACGME and the Baptist Health – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Graduate Medical Education Committee policies. 

TY Program Stipend and Benefits

Transitional Year Residents will be employees of Baptist Health. Stipends for residents are competitive with other state schools in the southern region.

Transitional Year PGY-1 Resident Salary:  $63,396

  • Medical/dental/vision/life/disability/401K 
  • No cost health insurance for residents / Low cost health insurance for family members. 
  • Paid Leave includes: 21 Vacation days, 12 Sick Leave Days, 5 Professional Leave Days
  • Catered lunch provided Monday – Friday 
  • Additional Meal Stipend provided for nights and weekend shifts  
  • Two Lab Coats
  • $500  Academic Fund for Educational Resources 
  • $500 Supplemental Fund available for residents presenting at an Educational Conference 
  • Subscription to UpToDate
  • Subscription to UWorld or TruLearn with practice questions and QBanks
  • Subscription to CCS Cases
  • Reimbursement of Step or Level 3 Exam Fee with passing score 
  • Aptus Financial collaboration opportunity provided by Baptist Health to assist residents with financial mentorship and unbiased investment advice.  
  • Ample parking on campus with no parking fees
  • On-site resident only fitness room (free)

See our Residency Program Benefits for more information.