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Family Medicine
The Family Medicine Residency Program at WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center prepares residents to care for the whole family in an environment that respects their needs and interests, while preparing them for extraordinary careers. We train outstanding Family Medicine physicians to practice and lead high-quality, patient-centered, team-based care.

The program is characterized by a diverse patient population, engaged physician/nurse teams, robust quality improvement initiatives, a successful population health enterprise, as well as simulation and skills labs. Every element is aligned with our vision—to provide world-class healthcare.
Caring for the whole family
Cobb County offers a diverse patient population whose needs reflect the many medical specialties a practicing family physician encounters on a daily basis. From pediatrics to obstetrics and geriatrics, residents will experience a rewarding opportunity to learn and grow as physicians and as people, gaining invaluable skills and experience.
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Relevant Research Experience
Gain high-valuable exposure in trending areas like population health, quality of care and medical ethics. Learn patient care best practices from our Accountable Care Organization (ACO), recognized nationally for cost-savings and improved patient outcomes.
Sub-specialty Immersion
All core faculty members supervise residents within the Family Medicine clinic. Faculty members and colleagues participate in didactic and hands-on learning.
Imaging Excellence
Residents benefit from immediate faculty involvement on interpretation of all X-rays taken at the outpatient clinic at the point of care. Preceptors assist the residents in interpreting X-rays and give immediate feedback.
Focus on Wellness
Maintaining personal wellness, developing resiliency and combating burnout through awareness and healthy lifestyles is a consistent focus during the residency program. It is a group priority for all faculty members, who receive specific guidance from the behavioral medicine faculty.
Curriculum
The Family Medicine curriculum is designed to comply with requirements to train residents to practice independently and to take and pass the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) specialty board certification exam. The educational plan is designed to meet/exceed the educational requirements of the ACGME, Family Medicine Residency Review Committee (RRC-FM) and the ABFM. The program’s structure gives residents the flexibility to configure learning opportunities to meet professional interests and to help them achieve their goals.

Residents provide continuity of care for their panel of patients in diverse settings, including inpatient, outpatient, labor and delivery, and long-term care.

Residents typically spend seven months on the inpatient family medicine service. The continuity clinic is an ongoing part of Family Medicine training.

Whether instruction takes place in the state-of-the-art Family Medicine Clinic or our 633-bed regional hospital, faculty members guide residents in the art and science of medicine. They challenge them to grow and develop, and nurture their ability to improve patient care and quality of life.
Interns spend vital time on rotational services, building their knowledge in areas including ICU, OB/GYN, surgery, inpatient pediatric and the emergency department, both adult and pediatric.

The Family Medicine boot camp/orientation rotation is a unique opportunity that takes place during the first month of the PGY-1 year. During this innovative and memorable rotation, residents complete didactics and online modules focusing on documentation training, coding, billing, electronic health record (EHR) training, practice improvement and HIPAA compliance training.

In their third year, Kennestone Family Medicine residents continue to hone their patient-care skills, while demonstrating leadership in family medicine. Year 3 residents have the opportunity to precept medical students and junior residents, which helps them develop bedside teaching and supervisory skills. Leadership development plays an essential role during year 3 as senior residents oversee the management of patients while precepting junior residents.Second year residents learn from sub-specialty physicians and spend more time with continuity patients in our state-of-the-art outpatient clinic.

In recognition of the ever-increasing importance of ultrasound-guided procedures, Family Medicine residents learn about ultrasound from faculty experts.

Residents have the opportunity to see patients longitudinally within the sports medicine field, treating college athletes under the supervision of a board-certified physician in family and sports medicine.

Family Medicine faculty with obstetrical care privileges directly supervise residents in the complete care of pregnant women.
Family Medicine residents participate in a variety of longitudinal care experiences.
  • Provide ongoing continuity outpatient care during half-day sessions in the Family Medicine Clinic.
  • Deliver ongoing prenatal and inpatient labor and delivery care to continuity maternity patients.
  • Provide continuity care to nursing home patients.
Residents receive didactic and tutorial instruction in health system management experiences during their Family Medicine COPC tutorial sessions and during grand rounds.
While we firmly believe that the practice of Family Medicine is best learned through hands-on clinical care, we also recognize the importance of a high quality didactic curriculum to supplement clinical learning.

During monthly Journal Clubs, residents learn research methodology and literature review. Other learning opportunities include a weekly Grand Rounds series, Morbidity and Mortality, a longitudinal board review program, and a Wellness and Longevity curriculum.

Training also includes simulation sessions, procedure labs and interactive didactics to help residents prepare to manage highly complex medical patients. We provide certification in ACLS and PALS.
Additional elective experiences are included but not limited to: allergy/immunology, psychiatry, psychology/behavioral medicine, dermatology, medical oncology, women’s health/GYN, ENT, orthopedics/sports medicine, palliative care, geriatrics, pathology, sleep medicine, rehabilitation medicine and medical ophthalmology.

Leveraging the strengths of the WellStar Health System, Family Medicine curriculum and clinical experiences are available in areas including community health, student health, research, population health, health policy/advocacy, urgent care, international health, complex care and bariatric medicine.
Resident education is enhanced by a variety of learning experiences. Conferences address learning needs traditionally identified by residents including: Family Medicine Grand Rounds, Ambulatory Morning Report, Inpatient Report, Journal Club, Quality Improvement, a board review course and Morbidity/Mortality Improvement. We also offer workshops and educational sessions related to leadership development.
Leadership & House Staff
Salary & Benefits
Our salary and benefits program reflects our concern for the resident who has a life, not just a medical degree. Residents enjoy the same top-tier benefits offered to other WellStar Health System employees, and your health and wellness is a top priority. We’ve got people and programs to help you stay healthy, stay focused and not get overwhelmed.
457b Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Eligible to enroll on first day of employment, however deductions will not start until the month following the election.
  • Maximum annual Resident contribution $18,000. Limits subject to change according to IRS Regulations.
  • No WellStar matching contributions.
  • May contribute a percentage of bi-weekly salary or flat dollar amount each pay period.
  • Pre-tax contributions taken from all eligible taxable income throughout the payroll calendar year.
  • Investment options identical to 403(b) investments.
  • Let our professional concierge team take your car for an oil change, restock your groceries or simply pick up a birthday gift for your loved ones while you stay focused on providing great care.
  • From simple errand running to event and travel planning, if you can dream it, our team can do it!
  • Residents can place concierge requests via phone, fax, email or in-person. Once a request has been made, a concierge team member will process and fulfill the request, then follow up with the resident to ensure everything is perfect.
Group Long-Term Disability (LTD)
  • Eligible after 30 days of continuous employment. No enrollment required.
  • Provided at no cost to Resident.
  • Payable on the 91st day of disability if approved by Insurance Carrier.
  • Benefits equal 60 percent of monthly base pay (maximum $16,000 per month).
Supplemental Individual Disability Insurance
  • Eligible after one month of employment. Premiums paid by Resident.
  • Requires approval from Supplemental LTD company after completion of enrollment form.
  • Pays in addition to Group LTD plan providing a benefit up to 75% of total compensation.
Short-Term Disability
  • Eligible on the first day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment.
  • Enrollment Required.
  • Premiums paid by Resident.
  • Benefit coverage equal to 60 percent of your base pay up to a maximum weekly benefit of $1,500.
  • Eligible on the first day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment as Resident.
  • Basic Life and AD&D provided at no cost to Resident. Coverage amount equals 1.5 times annual base pay (not to exceed $500,000). No enrollment necessary. Will need to complete beneficiary information on web enrollment portal.
  • Optional Life provided at group rates. Can purchase up to four times annual base pay (not to exceed $500,000). Spouse and child coverage available at group rates. Imputed income recognized.
WellStar provided coverage at no cost to Resident.
Eligible for 120 hours of paid time off after six months of employment if full-time; 60 hours if part-time. Paid time off will be applied before Illness pay or Vacation pay.
Eligible on the first day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment. Enrollment required. Premiums deducted each pay period.

Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
  • Eligible on the first day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment.
  • Three plan options — WellShare Premium, WellShare Select and Minimum Basic. Two WellShare plan options with access to Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), if not qualified for HSA.
  • HSA includes pro-rated WellStar lump sum contribution with optional Resident per pay period contribution up to annual IRS limit.
  • HRA includes pro-rated WellStar lump sum contribution. No Resident contribution allowed.
  • Resident and WellStar share in cost of medical plan option selected. Resident premiums deducted each pay period on pre-tax basis.
  • Generally, automatically enrolled in plan on first of month following age 21 and 12 consecutive months of WellStar employment with 1,000 hours from date of employment.
  • Will earn a year of credited service for each pension payroll plan year you are credited with at least 1,000 hours.
  • In most cases, you become fully vested after five years of service (i.e., paid at least 1,000 hours for five plan years). Vested benefit is payable once you reach normal retirement age. Several payment options available.
  • May retire as early as age 55 (with a reduced benefit) as long as you have at least ten years of vesting service. Alternatively, you may elect to receive your benefit while working through the In-Service Distribution Option as early as age 62, provided you have completed at least ten years of vesting service.
  • Up to $1,000 PGY-1, $1,400 PGY-2, $1,500 PGY-3, and $1,600 PGY-4-8 per contract year for professional dues, journal and subscription fees.
  • Board Certification/Recertification, DEA, Georgia medical license and city/county business license.
403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Eligible on first day of employment.
  • Resident directed investments.
  • Maximum contribution — $18,000 (age 50 and older $24,000). Limits subject to change according to IRS Regulations.
  • Resident contributions matched each pay period with a “true up” option at year end. For every $1 contributed, up to four percent of eligible earnings, WellStar will contribute 50¢.
  • May contribute a percentage of bi-weekly salary or flat dollar amount each pay period.
  • Contributions taken from all taxable income throughout the payroll calendar year.
  • Roth and pre-tax options available. 100% vested in WellStar contributions after three years of service.
20 paid work days per contract year. To be granted at the discretion of the Program Director. Time not taken will not carry over to next contract year.

Illness
Five paid days per contract year. Unused days will not carry over to next contract year.
How to Apply
We invite you to submit your application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Any interested individual must be registered to participate in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP); no program positions will be offered outside of the NRMP.
Our application deadline is December 1st; applications not submitted (and complete) by this date will not be considered for review by the residency selection committee. The program’s residency selection committee will review the ERAS applications and interview offers will be extended based on the applicant’s overall portfolio. Interview invitations will be issued only through the ERAS post office to the applicant’s e-mail address, as indicated on the ERAS application. Available interviews will be scheduled on a first-come first-served basis.

Questions? Contact Program Coordinator Tammy Hamm.
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