Contact us
For more information about our program, please contact our program administrator.
Welcome from our program director
As a part of HCA Healthcare, we are driven by a single mission: "Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life." The University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare (Fort Walton-Destin) Internal Medicine program is designed to provide a rewarding, educational environment where residents have individualized learning opportunities by faculty and staff who support and sustain one another throughout quality care delivery. The program strives to meet the clinical and educational needs of our residents while also broadening their perspectives to include different cultures, values, and ideals.
The University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare (Fort Walton-Destin) Internal Medicine program's clinical and didactic curriculum will provide residents with:
- The knowledge and skills to treat patients with acute and chronic conditions through safe patient-centered care plans based on scientific evidence.
- Broad exposure to general internal medicine and related subspecialties will ensure residents are fully prepared to enter autonomous practice, pursue subspecialty fellowship training, and obtain board certification after completing the program.
- Faculty members and residents will analyze population health data provided in the annual Okaloosa County Community Health Assessment to develop care plans to improve patient health outcomes.
- The program director, faculty members, and healthcare team members assume responsibility for creating a supportive and safe environment that facilitates residents' professional, ethical, and personal development.
- The sponsoring institution and program will offer the resources necessary to participate in research and quality improvement through the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and HCA Florida Healthcare.
Program overview
We are an exciting NEW Internal Medicine program that received initial accreditation from the ACGME in January 2024. Our inaugural class of interns started in July 2024.
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. Enhancing and improving the quality of patient care is critical to our program. We strive to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within the medical profession and establish a pipeline to provide comprehensive medical care to the Greater Fort Walton-Destin community.
Salary
The following salaries are for the fiscal year 2023-2024 and may differ from future years' wages.
- PGY1: $60,792
- PGY2: $62,892
- PGY3: $65,056
Vacation leave
- PGY1: three weeks (five working days plus weekends) per academic year
- PGY2: four weeks (five working days plus weekends) per academic year
- PGY3: four weeks (five working days plus weekends) per academic year
- More than two continuous weeks of vacation must be pre-approved by the program director
Sick leave
- Residents will accumulate ten days of sick leave over each academic year
Educational leave
- Available pending program director approval
Benefits
- BLS and ACLS training and certification at no charge
- Laptop computer to access electronic medical records and library from the hospital or home
- iPhone for daily email access and work contact
- Two lab coats in the intern year, one lab coat every year after
- Meals provided free of charge at the hospital cafeteria, and snacks while on duty
- MKSAP question bank provided
- ABIM Board Review Course
- Insurance
We offer the following coverage to our residents:
- Low-cost medical and dental coverage for both residents and family
- Disability policy, along with the option to purchase additional coverage
- Automatic enrollment in a life insurance policy that offers a basic life benefit of $25,000
- Professional liability insurance
- Retirement
- 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan
- Curriculum Highlights and Rotation Schedule
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