Contact Info and FAQ , Department of Family Medicine in the Medical School at the University of Minnesota

We would be happy to speak with you about our program.

University of Minnesota North Memorial Health Care Family Medicine Residency Program
1020 West Broadway
Minneapolis, MN 55411-2504
Phone: 612-302-8209
Fax: 612-302-8275

Map of 1020 W Broadway Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55411-2504, US

E-mail:
Mark Bixby, MD, bixby001@umn.edu, program director
Lori McPherson, lmcphrsn@umphysicians.umn.edu, clinic manager
Pamela Coppa, pcoppa@umphysicians.umn.edu, program administrator

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do graduates practice (228 total)?

• 71% (162/228) practice in Minnesota
• 35% (57/162) of those practicing in Minnesota are in rural areas
• 20% (46/228) of our graduates are on staff at North Memorial
• 28% (46/162) of our graduates in Minnesota are on staff at North Memorial
• Family medicine is the largest specialty at North Memorial: 16%, compared to 8% general internal medicine and 7% general pediatrics
• 44% male, 56% female residents

Do residents do any research? Is there any ongoing faculty research?
Residents participate in research according to interest (a research project isn't required). In past years, residents have done research on barriers to breastfeeding, post-partum depression, cold weather adaptation, lead poisoning in children and other topics. Residents have worked with faculty on studies of doctor-patient communication in well-child care and on the structure of office visits. Faculty research projects include studies of screening for HIV, adolescent behavioral risks and chlamydia infection, prenatal care, and analgesia during childbirth.

What are the pro's and con's of an unopposed program?

Pro's

• No competition for patients, teachers, procedures
• Nurses and attendings appreciate family medicine and know how to work with us
• Supportive administration

Con's

• No advanced residents in other disciplines to learn from or with
• Less of an academic environment - potentially

Is there opportunity for international travel?
May be taken during second or third year or both as:

• Community health rotation
• International medicine elective
• Infectious disease elective
• Research elective
• Independent learning in a topic of your interest
• 4-8 weeks

What do you need to do?

• Get approval by advisor and program director for time away well in advance
• Site and preceptor (must be an MD) approved by advisor and program director
• Goals and objectives for the experience in writing
• VISA, passport, immunizations, planning (IRB approval for research) 6-12 months in advance

What is the average number of deliveries and other procedures? How many are your own patients?

• Residents report 150 to 250 deliveries during their three years of residency; of these, 20 to 30 patients are from the family medicine clinic
• Other procedures: Many residents do only a few of each, but some do more than the numbers listed
• Vasectomy: 0-30
• Colposcopy: 6-20
• OB ultrasound: 10-40
• C/sections: assist—20-40; as surgeon—0-10 (one did 25)
• 3rd/4th degree perineal repair: 0-4

Is there a parental/newborn elective?
This rotation is an elective academic experience to augment the practical education inherent in experiencing pregnancy and care of a newborn in the resident's family. Goals are to encourage reflection on the experience of the role of patient; to increase expertise in the management of pregnancy and delivery through literature review and concomitant experience; to understand the psychosocial literature on childbirth, parenting, and parental roles. Available to male and female residents.

What is the average number of patients carried by interns on the service?
3 to 5