MONROE - The American Osteopathic Association recently awarded Monroe Clinic's Family Medicine Residency program an overall 98 percent accreditation score.
Launched in 2014, the program was the first new family medicine residency program in Wisconsin in more than 20 years and the first AOA accredited rural training path in the country. The AOA is the authority for accreditation of osteopathic residency programs in the U.S. and ensures the quality of training programs.
Upon its recent review, the program received a full five-year accreditation, which is the maximum length provided by the AOA. Monroe Clinic's program earned 117 of 119 possible points during the inspection.
Rodefeld said the score of 98 percent is a testament to the outstanding work of Dr. C.J. Smith, D.O., program director, along with the faculty and staff who provide essential support to the first residents in the program. Residents receive broad training including care of the entire family, prenatal and obstetrical care, and inpatient medicine.
According to a news release, introducing family medicine residents to the distinct benefits of rural health care enhances Monroe Clinic's ability to recruit medical staff to the region - a continuing challenge for rural health care organizations across the nation.
According to the National Rural Health Association, 20 percent of the population lives in a rural community; however, only nine percent of physicians currently practice in a rural setting. This disparity between providers and patients results in an under-served rural population. In 2013, "Academic Medicine" reported less than five percent of recent graduates are practicing in a rural setting.
With a high quality training program in place at Monroe Clinic, patients will receive outstanding care when seeing a resident physician, according to the news release. All resident visits are conducted in collaboration with an experienced Monroe Clinic physician who reviews every patient visit and often sees patients alongside the resident physician. Physicians and residents work together to create an environment where the care of patients and education is the curriculum.
With the residency program entering its third year, Monroe Clinic is preparing to welcome a new incoming class of residents, which include:
Dr. Mark Blomberg, Doctor of Osteopathy: Blomberg joins Monroe Clinic as a first-year resident after graduating from Des Moines University Medical School. Blomberg rotated at Monroe Clinic during his fourth year of medical school. He was a founding member of the Betty Shaffer Foundation and is an Eagle Scout. His wife, Brittany Blomberg, is currently a first-year family medicine resident at Monroe Clinic. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, hiking, geocaching and other outdoor activities.
Dr. Tyler Manley, D.O.: Manley also joins Monroe Clinic as a first-year resident after graduating from Des Moines University Medical School. Manley also rotated with Monroe Clinic during his fourth year of medical school. He is an avid basketball player and has years of experience coaching young adults. He hopes to continue working with young athletes to develop skills and assist them in accomplishing their goals.
Dr. Ben Chao, D.O.: Chao joins the program as a transfer second year resident from the Trinity Bettendorf Program in the Quad Cities. He also graduated from Des Moines University Medical School. He was a lab technician with Eli Lilly before attending medical school. He also has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Other residents currently enrolled in the program include Drs. Brittany Blomberg, Mark Patterson and Serene Bethune. Bethune will be the program's first graduate in July of 2018.
Launched in 2014, the program was the first new family medicine residency program in Wisconsin in more than 20 years and the first AOA accredited rural training path in the country. The AOA is the authority for accreditation of osteopathic residency programs in the U.S. and ensures the quality of training programs.
Upon its recent review, the program received a full five-year accreditation, which is the maximum length provided by the AOA. Monroe Clinic's program earned 117 of 119 possible points during the inspection.
Rodefeld said the score of 98 percent is a testament to the outstanding work of Dr. C.J. Smith, D.O., program director, along with the faculty and staff who provide essential support to the first residents in the program. Residents receive broad training including care of the entire family, prenatal and obstetrical care, and inpatient medicine.
According to a news release, introducing family medicine residents to the distinct benefits of rural health care enhances Monroe Clinic's ability to recruit medical staff to the region - a continuing challenge for rural health care organizations across the nation.
According to the National Rural Health Association, 20 percent of the population lives in a rural community; however, only nine percent of physicians currently practice in a rural setting. This disparity between providers and patients results in an under-served rural population. In 2013, "Academic Medicine" reported less than five percent of recent graduates are practicing in a rural setting.
With a high quality training program in place at Monroe Clinic, patients will receive outstanding care when seeing a resident physician, according to the news release. All resident visits are conducted in collaboration with an experienced Monroe Clinic physician who reviews every patient visit and often sees patients alongside the resident physician. Physicians and residents work together to create an environment where the care of patients and education is the curriculum.
With the residency program entering its third year, Monroe Clinic is preparing to welcome a new incoming class of residents, which include:
Dr. Mark Blomberg, Doctor of Osteopathy: Blomberg joins Monroe Clinic as a first-year resident after graduating from Des Moines University Medical School. Blomberg rotated at Monroe Clinic during his fourth year of medical school. He was a founding member of the Betty Shaffer Foundation and is an Eagle Scout. His wife, Brittany Blomberg, is currently a first-year family medicine resident at Monroe Clinic. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, hiking, geocaching and other outdoor activities.
Dr. Tyler Manley, D.O.: Manley also joins Monroe Clinic as a first-year resident after graduating from Des Moines University Medical School. Manley also rotated with Monroe Clinic during his fourth year of medical school. He is an avid basketball player and has years of experience coaching young adults. He hopes to continue working with young athletes to develop skills and assist them in accomplishing their goals.
Dr. Ben Chao, D.O.: Chao joins the program as a transfer second year resident from the Trinity Bettendorf Program in the Quad Cities. He also graduated from Des Moines University Medical School. He was a lab technician with Eli Lilly before attending medical school. He also has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Other residents currently enrolled in the program include Drs. Brittany Blomberg, Mark Patterson and Serene Bethune. Bethune will be the program's first graduate in July of 2018.