PSYCHIATRY RESIDENCY PROGRAM

About

Project Vida Health Center is located on the US/Mexico border and has been a pioneer in healthcare integration for decades, addressing primary care, oral health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder.  It engages and celebrates diversity in the midst of our bi-lingual and bi-cultural environment while focusing on the needs and possibilities of the underserved and often marginalized persons in a historically low-income area.

MISSION STATEMENT

 

welcome from our program director

Our psychiatry residency program is distinguished by its community-based curriculum, which seamlessly integrates clinical training with a strong emphasis on community mental health. This unique curriculum underscores the significance of understanding the social determinants of mental health and equips residents with the necessary skills to deliver comprehensive and culturally sensitive care to diverse populations within our local community. By embracing this community-based approach, residents gain invaluable hands-on experience, actively collaborate with community organizations, and develop a profound understanding of the social, cultural, and environmental factors that impact mental health outcomes.

We take pride in offering an inclusive and dynamic learning experience that lays a solid foundation in psychiatric medicine while fostering a supportive environment for professional growth. Our program is dedicated to nurturing versatile psychiatrists who exhibit exceptional skills in patient care, research, advocacy, and community engagement. As a resident in our program, you will have the privilege of working alongside experienced faculty members and engaging in diverse clinical settings, including inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and specialty rotations. Our carefully designed curriculum exposes you to a wide range of psychiatric disorders and treatment modalities, ensuring a well-rounded training experience.

We are committed to providing you with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities necessary to thrive in your psychiatric career. By joining our residency program, you will embark on a transformative journey that will shape you into a well-rounded and compassionate psychiatrist capable of making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

Best regards,

Cynthia E Garza, JD, MD

Program Director/DIO

 

CURRICULUM

There is a dedicated education curriculum every week. Residents are relieved from clinical duties during this protected time.

    • Psychiatry Inpatient: 6 months

    • Neurology: 2 months

    • Primary Care: 4 months

    • 2 months of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

    • 2 months of Substance Abuse

    • 2 months of Geriatric Psychiatry

    • 3 months of Community Clinic

    • 2 months of Consultation Liaison

    • 1 month of Primary Care

    • Outpatient Psychiatry: 1 year

    • Outpatient Psychiatry: 6 months

    • QA/QI: 1 month

    • Research: 1 month

    • Elective: 4 months

benefits

  • Salary plus eligibility to participate in 403 B (tax-deferred plan)

  • Health Insurance for resident and eligible dependents

  • Disability Insurance

  • Professional Liability Insurance

  • Workers Compensation

  • Membership Dues

  • Vacation Leave

  • CME Days

  • Educational Resources

 

Graduate Medical Education POLICIES

 

ROTATION SITES

Project Vida Health Center

Project Vida Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center located in El Paso, Texas serving about 13,000 unduplicated individuals with multiple clinical, educational and outreach services supported by federal, state and local funding sources. Founded in 2004, it also includes a new Psychiatric Residency program, school campus-based services, and physical locations in both El Paso and Hudspeth Counties.

 

Rio Vista Behavioral Health

Rio Vista Behavioral Health offers state-of-the-art inpatient services for adults and adolescents who are struggling with mental health disorders and addiction in El Paso, Texas. They provide men, women, and adolescents in our community with individualized planning and ongoing recovery support.

Visit Rio Vista Behavioral Health

 

Advanced Neurology Epilepsy & Sleep Center

The Advanced Neurology Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine, in El Paso, Texas, provides a comprehensive range of neurological testing and treatments for patients from the age of 12. Led by Dr. Herekar and his team, the practice helps patients with a variety of Neurological Disorders, including back pain, Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.

Visit Advanced Neurology Epilepsy & Sleep Center

 
 
 
 

APPLY

We sincerely appreciate your interest in our Psychiatry Residency program. We are delighted to inform you that our residency will commence in July 2024.  Please note that we will only be accepting applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) and be participating in the MATCH. Our interview dates are scheduled from October 16, 2023, to December 8, 2023. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Our application criteria delve into specific details to ensure a thorough evaluation of each candidate. We consider the following in-depth criteria during the application review process:

  • While we give preference to applicants who have graduated from medical school within the past five years, we encourage all individuals, regardless of their years since graduation, to apply. We understand that valuable experiences and growth can occur beyond the preferred timeline.

  • Our assessment of applicants goes beyond academic qualifications. We carefully evaluate each candidate holistically, considering their unique qualifications, experiences, and potential contributions to the field of psychiatry.

  • We require official transcripts from the National Board of Medical Examiners or the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, demonstrating passing scores for relevant exams such as USMLE Steps 1 and 2 CK or COMLEX Levels 1, 2 CE. These transcripts should be provided as soon as scores are completed and available. Applicants who fail to provide transcripts by the time the program ranks will not be considered.

  • A well-crafted personal statement that specifically addresses your interest in psychiatry and how our program aligns with your career goals is an essential component of the application. We value applicants who can clearly articulate their motivations, experiences, and aspirations in the field.

  • We require three letters of recommendation, including at least two from physicians. Additionally, we highly recommend having at least one letter from a psychiatry physician. These letters should provide insights into your clinical skills, professionalism, interpersonal abilities, and potential for success in psychiatry.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

  • Applicants must have graduated from a medical school in the United States or Canada, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or graduated from a College of Osteopathic Medicine in the United States, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA); or

    If graduate is from a medical school outside of the United States, school must be recorded in the Texas Medical Board substantial equivalence list. A notarized copy of original medical school transcript in the original language with translation (8-½ inch by 11-inch certified and notarized photocopies), or 5th pathway certificate, plus meeting one of the following additional qualifications:

    • Holding currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment; or

    • Holding a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States licensing jurisdiction in which the ACGME-accredited program is located

    Certified USMLE or NBOME examinations (for US and recent IMG Graduates, Step 1 and Step 2 CK or NBOME equivalent; Step 3 a plus and will be needed in order to continue on to PGY 2 or NBOME equivalent). For IMG’s who have graduated more than 2 to 5 years, Step 3 is required.

    • Passage of each part of the examination within 3 attempts and

    • Has passed examinations within 7 years.

    • No arrests or prosecution pending against the applicant in any state, federal, or Canadian court for any offense that under the laws of this state is a felony, a misdemeanor that involves the practice of medicine, or a misdemeanor that involves a crime of moral turpitude.

    • No current investigation or prior restriction, cancellation, suspension, revocation, or other discipline of the applicant’s medical license, permit, or authority to practice medicine in the state of territory of the US, province of Canada, or a uniformed service of the US.

  • Project Vida Health Center can provide visa sponsorship.

    Translation of medical transcripts: An official translation is established when carried out by a government official, a certified translation agency, or an authorized representative from a reputable college or university. The translated content must be presented on the official letterhead of the relevant institution. The translator is obligated to confirm that the translated text accurately reflects the original meaning in English to the best of their comprehension, that they have a strong command of the language, and that they possess the requisite qualifications to translate original documents. This confirmation must be accompanied by the translator's signature and their relevant title. Translations undertaken by acquaintances or family members will not be deemed acceptable.

    Fifth Pathway applicants must submit a copy of Fifth Pathway certificate showing the completion of the supervised clinical year and must have the director of Fifth Pathway program submit a letter outlining the methods used to evaluate and admit the applicant to the program.

 

RESIDENT RESOURCES

  • If you are considering a report of discrimination or harassment and would like to be contacted, please click on the link below and fill out the form.

    INFORMATION INTAKE FORM

Thank you for your interest in our program. We would like to stress that although applicants who have graduated from medical school within the past five years are given preference, we strongly encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications, regardless of their years since graduation. Our commitment lies in conducting comprehensive evaluations of each applicant, considering their qualifications, experiences, and potential to make valuable contributions to the field of psychiatry. We genuinely appreciate your consideration of these requirements, and we eagerly look forward to reviewing your application. 

 

contact us

karina garcia, GME Program Administrator

k.garcia@pvida.net

(915) 346-1227

 

This is El Paso