Building Graduate Medical Education Programs in Community Hospitals

This guide outlines the collaboration between HNI Healthcare, a regional health system, and a leading medical school to establish a Graduate Medical Education (GME) program in Internal Medicine. The initiative began in Q3 2023, aiming to support medical education while maintaining operational integrity across two community hospitals. HNI's role included identifying faculty leaders, integrating technology, and launching the program with 13 PGY-1 residents. The document details the program's milestones, such as the selection of faculty, the implementation of VitalsMD® tools, and the management of clinical operations. It emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement and the need to minimize disruptions to clinical performance. The guide also addresses potential risks associated with GME programs in community settings, including capital investment requirements and burnout among faculty and residents. It concludes with a discussion on the benefits of GME programs for medical schools, health systems, and patient care.