The Graduate Medical Education program (GME), commonly referred to as residency and the final step in the education of physicians, began in July of 2018 at Ocean Medical Center with support from the Grunin Foundation. Since then, there have been 60 residents, including 13 who are entering their third year. Two of the third year residents in the family medicine program have been appointed as Chief Residents. This is an incredible achievement and they are looked upon as mentors and leaders by their peers.
The GME program provides comprehensive training, combined with an attractive region in which to establish a future and provide fertile ground for retention of these bright, competent future physicians. Throughout the program, residents are exposed to emergency medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, surgical services, orthopedics, sports medicine, gynecology, maternal care, dermatology, behavioral health, and diagnostic/nuclear imaging. Each resident has a panel of patients, where the resident will serve as the primary care physician.
Normally, the annual white coat ceremony is held each summer. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the incoming residents were introduced to the program and facilities virtually. This year, Ocean Medical Center added 25 residents; eight in family medicine, eight in internal medicine and nine in psychiatry. In total, the GME program has 60 residents with 24 in family medicine, 16 in internal medicine and 20 in psychiatry.
While COVID-19 has presented many challenges and changed the way of life, it has helped the residents gain valuable experience. They’ve had hands-on involvement in handling a health crisis and working as a team to provide the best possible care to their patients. Through these challenging times, the residents have felt strongly that Ocean Medical Center provides not only innovative and visionary leaders who invest in their wellness and success, but also a family environment. Having gone through some of their toughest days as a resident during the pandemic, they feel prepared for whatever the future may bring.
The Grunin Foundation believes that supporting this residency program and helping to attract the next generation of health care providers to our community is important for not only enhancing care but helping the local economy to thrive. The Ocean Medical Center GME program is creating a culture of wellness and economic excellence at the Central Jersey Shore. We are thrilled to watch the success grow each year and we look forward to a bright future.