Why Choose Smiley's

Smiley's residents train in an ethnically diverse urban setting. We have taught family medicine residents for over 30 years in a fun and collegial environment.

What residents say

"Fantastic faculty, friendly and supportive residents and clinic staff, diverse patient population, commitment to working with urban, underserved populations, excellent procedure clinic, and the best preventive medicine providers in town."
Laura Pattison, MD, 2007 Graduate and Current Faculty

"Truly outstanding, impressively knowledgeable faculty who are easily approachable and caring. Diverse patient population. Warm environment for learning. Friendly and nurturing clinic staff."
Sarulatha Kuppa, MD, 2007 Graduate

"The community is great!  Our faculty are supportive and knowledgeable.  I love to look at the babies in the newborn nursery and see children with every imaginable complexion."
Laurel Hansen, MD,  2006 Graduate

"As a clinic, we are were very involved in the Seward Neighborhood. We routinely sent residents and staff to the community fair and had outreach with the Somali community.  There are ample leadership opportunities within the clinic and the University system."  
Mark Alexander, MD, Former Resident

"Working with the nurses at Smiley's was the best experience of working with nurses I've had in medical school; they were welcoming, friendly, included me in the patient's care, and were willing to answer my questions."
Primary Care Clerkship Student
University of Minnesota Medical School

Top Ten Reasons to Choose Smiley's
by Former Chief Resident and Recent Graduate Maya Miley, MD

1. Humanism as part of health care

2. We have the pleasure of working with both very experienced and young, fun, knowledgeable faculty who are routinely speakers at Society of Teachers of Family Medicine conferences

3. A state-of-the-art clinic that has digital x-ray, video review capability, large comfortable rooms, a variety of patients, and excellent free parking both at the clinic and the hospital

4. Learn at a sports medicine fellowship center during residency and have an opportunity to apply for a fellowship (opportunity for research, too)

5. An immensely grateful multi-cultural patient population who will conquer your heart

6. Direct access to the Midtown Greenway, ablity to bike to work and shower at the clinic

7. Being able to organize an international rotation in Buenos Aires, Argentina

8. Having on-site multi-disciplinary team care with a nutrition specialist, a PharmD, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a patient advocate, diabetic care coordinator etc.

9. Really friendly and positive work environment with nursing staff, CMAs, lab, and on-site pharmacy

10. A great sense of humor in all staff who have fun together at many events like the picnic, movie nights, and-my favorite-the roast.

Smiley's is fun too!
Smiley's residents, faculty and staff enjoy an annual Halloween party, Valentine Hawaiian shirt party, holiday party, picnics, and barbecues.

Annual resident retreat 
A retreat is held annually for the first-year residents and their families. Residents are excused from all residency responsibilities for the weekend to enjoy time together building fellowship and having fun.