Contact us
For more information about our program, please contact our program administrator.
Welcome from our program director
It is my privilege to introduce you to a program built around a simple commitment: to develop outstanding physicians who are clinically excellent, compassionate, curious, and prepared to lead. Our residents train in a supportive learning environment that combines rigorous clinical education with individualized mentorship, progressive autonomy, scholarship, and a strong sense of community.
Located along Florida's Emerald Coast, our program offers residents the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population while developing the knowledge, judgment, and skills necessary for independent practice. Residents work closely with dedicated faculty who know them personally, invest in their growth, and challenge them to continually improve. Whether a resident's future includes primary care, hospital medicine, fellowship training, academic medicine, or physician leadership, our goal is to provide the foundation and opportunities needed to succeed.
We are especially proud of the growth and maturation of our program and of achieving Continued Accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This important milestone reflects the collective work of our residents, faculty, hospital leadership, and GME team and reinforces our commitment to maintaining a high-quality learning environment and continually improving the education we provide.
What I believe distinguishes our program most, however, is our people. Residency is demanding, and we believe physicians learn best in an environment where high expectations are paired with mentorship, teamwork, respect, and genuine investment in each resident's success. We want our graduates not only to be excellent internists, but also to become physicians whom patients trust, colleagues value, and communities are fortunate to have.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our program.
Internal Medicine at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital—and living on Florida's Emerald Coast
Program overview
The program is a partnership between two nationally recognized leaders in patient care and graduate medical education, the University of Central Florida and HCA Healthcare. Training will occur at HCA Florida Fort Walton - Destin Hospital and surrounding community clinics.
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, formerly Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, is an acute care hospital with 331 beds highly regarded for its exceptional performance. It has over 300 skilled and respected physicians in the Tri-County area. The hospital provides advanced care for critically ill patients, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, and a Cancer Care Center.
Services include open-heart surgery, a wide range of specialties, and emergency services at our main emergency room (ER) and Level II trauma center, pediatric ER, and two freestanding ERs. The hospital is an Accredited Chest Pain Center designated by the American College of Cardiology. It has Primary Stroke Center certification from The Joint Commission, an Accredited cancer program selected by the Commission on Cancer.
Our program is focused on training the next generation of outstanding internists while helping them achieve their professional aspirations through a wide array of clinical and educational opportunities. We are here to train physicians in an academic collegial environment that fosters a commitment to lifelong learning and well-being.
Salary
| Year | Salary | On-Call Meals |
|---|---|---|
| PGY1 | $63,828 | $300 |
| PGY2 | $66,033 | $300 |
| PGY3 | $68,321 | $300 |
Vacation leave
- PGY1: three weeks (Monday to Sunday) per academic year
- PGY2: four weeks (Monday to Sunday) per academic year
- PGY3: four weeks (Monday to Sunday) per academic year
- Two continuous weeks of vacation must be pre-approved by the program
Sick leave
Residents start each academic year with 10 sick days which cannot be carried over to the next academic year.
Benefits
Professional & Educational Support
- BLS and ACLS training and certification provided at no cost
- MKSAP question bank
- ABIM Board Review Course
- UWorld or AMBOSS access for USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX-USA Level 3 preparation
- Initial USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX-USA Level 3 examination fee paid by the program
Technology & Professional Resources
- Laptop computer
- iPhone for residency use
- Two sets of scrubs
- One lab coat
- One program jacket
Meals & Wellness
- $300 monthly meal stipend
- Snacks provided during didactics
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including counseling resources
UCF Physician Learner Benefits
- Medical and dental insurance options
- Basic life and long-term disability insurance
- Professional liability coverage
- Retirement plan
- Vacation, sick, educational, and other eligible leave benefits
Text only version of this flyer
Curriculum highlights
Our curriculum is designed to complement resident's rotations. Residents will have protected educational time to attend weekly didactic conferences.
Frequently asked questions
The Wellness curriculum involves ongoing activities in Autonomy, Belonging, Competency, Meaning, and Addressing Job Hindrances. There is a running task list of resident job hindrances that the program addresses, updates, and communicates to the residents. Outside social events build our culture of a family striving toward a common goal. During our weekly didactics, emphasis is reviewed on how we find meaning in the role we play in the organization, team, and for our patients. There are multiple exciting ways to get involved in the community, including the annual Dragon Boat Festival and Race, which raises funds and awareness for a local charity, the Hope Squad, which raises awareness and gives resources for Peer Suicide Prevention for Schools and Military.
Annually (academic year), residents and fellows will be provided with four (4) wellness days in addition to other leave time (including sick and vacation leave). This is provided and structured to minimize disruptions to patient care and training while allowing residents and fellows sufficient protected time for appropriate personal health maintenance and wellness.
- Our typical candidate has completed their USMLE Step 1 and 2 with scores greater than 219/234 (or COMLEX scores of 461/475), passing on the first attempt. USMLE is not required for DO students besides COMLEX to be considered.
- Priority is given to candidates two years or less from the end of medical school training.
- Medical School Graduates - LCME Accredited, COCA Accredited, & ECFMG Certificate
- Letters of Recommendation – Three (3)
- US citizenship or Permanent resident or EAD and a J-1 visa sponsorship through ECFMG are accepted