Psychiatry Residency Program
Thank you for expressing your interest in our institution for your postgraduate medical education. Southern Winds Hospital has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive mental health care to the community for nearly three decades and proudly serves as the sponsoring institution for ACGME accredited programs. Our overarching mission is two-fold: to provide high-quality patient care to diverse populations and to offer robust Psychiatry training programs for physicians that operate in full compliance with ACGME requirements.
Postgraduate medical education is seamlessly integrated into our healthcare delivery system. It is within this context that physicians in training develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes essential for proficiency in all facets of clinical competencies. This journey requires the resident or physician in training to take personal responsibility for the care of individual patients. Learning activities entail meaningful interactions with patients, all under the guidance and supervision of designated faculty members.
Southern Winds Hospital is firmly committed to nurturing and advancing Graduate Medical Education. We foster a culture characterized by professionalism, competency-based education, quality improvement, scholarships, and a commitment to cultural diversity. Oversight of resident assignments and the quality of the learning and working environment extends throughout all participating sites. We provide a supportive learning and working environment in which residents are encouraged to voice concerns and offer feedback confidentially, as appropriate.
Should you have any inquiries or require further information, please do not hesitate to visit us or get in touch with our Office of GME team. We are here to assist you and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you into our training programs. On behalf of the DIO and the entire GME Department Team, we extend a warm welcome to you as a member of the Southern Winds Hospital family!
Sincerely,
Ana Bovo GME Designated Institutional Official (DIO)
We appreciate your interest in the Psychiatry Residency Program at Southern Winds Hospital (SWH). We commend your choice of Psychiatry as the field for your postgraduate residency training. Psychiatry is a noble medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of emotional, mental, and behavioral conditions. It employs the biopsychosocial model of patient care, an interdisciplinary approach that considers the interconnectedness of biology, psychology, emotions, and socio-environmental factors.
The SWH Psychiatry Residency Program is an ACGME-accredited postgraduate program designed to provide residents with comprehensive training in General Psychiatry over a four-year period. The program's curriculum has been meticulously structured in accordance with ACGME requirements, core competencies, and specialty-specific milestones. Our ultimate aim is to thoroughly prepare residents for the board certification examination administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and to graduate the next generation of psychiatrists who are well-equipped to meet the mental health needs of the community across various psychiatric specialties.
Structured clinical experiences have been thoughtfully organized to provide residents with opportunities to conduct initial psychiatric assessments, participate in the diagnostic process, and follow patients throughout their treatment journey, which includes monitoring the evolution, stability, and recovery of their psychiatric conditions.
If you have any concerns or questions related to our training program, please do not hesitate to reach out to our GME office staff. We deeply appreciate your interest in our program and wish you the very best in your residency training as you prepare for independent practice in the field of Psychiatry.
Sincerely,
Juan Oms, MD Psychiatry Residency Program Director
GME Mission and Aims
The primary mission of SWH is to deliver exceptional patient care to a wide range of diverse populations while simultaneously providing comprehensive postgraduate medical programs. These programs are designed to operate in strict adherence to ACGME requirements.
The mission of the Graduate Medical Education Division is to establish well-structured postgraduate residency programs, specializing in Psychiatry. These programs aim to foster the ethical, professional, and personal growth of our trainees while ensuring the provision of safe and high-quality patient care.
Our top priority within the GME division is to guarantee an advanced level of education marked by excellence in clinical services, patient safety, competency-based teaching, and scholarship opportunities. Our institution, along with our affiliated participating sites, is unwavering in its commitment to preparing competent physicians who will not only become eligible for board certification in their chosen specialty but will also be equipped to deliver compassionate mental health care to patients from diverse backgrounds, all within the context of family and community.
Statement of Commitment to GME
SWH is an ACGME accredited sponsoring institution, dedicated to providing quality patient care, education and research, providing residents/fellows with a comprehensive postgraduate education that enables them to accomplish their residency programs, ACGME milestones, competencies, and specialty board eligibility requirements in order to graduate next generations of physicians with the highest academic, clinical and professional standards of Medicine who are able to serve the medical needs of diverse populations.
Participating Sites
Fast Facts
Curriculum
We believe the source of our residents' strong clinical capabilities is the extensive clinical experience they receive at Southern Winds Hospital. All requirements of the residency review committee of the ACGME and American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology are met or exceeded.
Psychiatry resident didactics schedule includes a four-hour slot for major didactics that is offered each week on Wednesdays and Fridays
Schedule for the Educational Day for Residents
In-Person and Remote Learning via Zoom. Subject to change.
Didactics Overview
Research
The Southern Winds Hospital's Department of Psychiatry actively promotes an enthusiasm for academic endeavors. Our primary objective is to nurture research capabilities and enhance the knowledge base of our residents, while also fulfilling the core objectives of general psychiatry training.
Upon graduation, each resident is anticipated to deliver a grand rounds presentation and complete a minimum of one scholarly project, which could take the form of a poster, book chapter, oral presentation, or published paper. These presentations are conducted at various levels, including local (MetroHealth's Annual Research Symposium), regional (local and state psychiatric associations), and national (APA, AACAP, AAGP, APS) events.
To support our residents in their scholarly pursuits, the program offers faculty mentorship to all participants. We also facilitate scholarly activities by allocating annual conference funds, covering poster production expenses, and granting additional time for conference and meeting attendance.
Moreover, the program designates a Quality Improvement and Wellbeing Chief. This individual not only oversees wellbeing initiatives but also plays a pivotal role in initiating at least one quality improvement project aimed at enhancing patient care and operational efficiency within the program.
Post-Graduate Years
During the initial year, there are six four-week blocks dedicated to various rotations. These rotations encompass Psychiatry (four blocks in inpatient Psychiatry, four blocks in outpatient medicine, two blocks in Emergency Psychiatry, and two blocks in neurology). Each week, a portion of time is reserved for educational activities, including lectures, seminars, and case conferences.
The training is structured to equip residents with a practical understanding of the assessment, diagnostic, and treatment techniques employed in psychiatry. This first year places a strong emphasis on the provision of quality patient care and is characterized by a substantial degree of individual supervision, complemented by the didactic curriculum.
During the second year, residents persist in their hospital-based inpatient psychiatry rotations, which now encompass specialized experiences in various areas, including Inpatient Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Emergency Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, and Geriatric Psychiatry.
Additionally, residents have the opportunity to participate in a half-day per week of outpatient psychotherapy clinic during this stage of their training. The weekly schedule allocates four hours to dedicated didactic activities, with the remainder of the time being devoted to clinical exposure and experience.
In the third year of psychiatric residency, the focus shifts toward outpatient experiences. Residents are assigned to full-time duties, spending two days per week at Agape Network and another two days at South Florida Integrative Medicine. The remaining half-day is designated for protected didactic activities.
The fourth year of the residency program is dedicated to advanced treatment and research exposure, along with ongoing inpatient and outpatient experiences. Southern Winds Hospital manages the residents' weekly clinical schedules, which alternate throughout the year.
Residents have the opportunity to select three blocks of elective time, in addition to committing to at least one block as a junior attending on a psychiatry service of their preference. Furthermore, a half-day is safeguarded for didactic activities. It's worth noting that the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship can commence in the fourth year.
Salary & Benefits
Annual Salary (2024–2025)
Each year resident salaries are increased by $1,000.
| PGY-1 | $53,500 |
| PGY-2 | $55,500 |
| PGY-3 | $56,500 |
| PGY-4 | $57,500 |
Benefits Include
- 4 weeks paid vacation per academic year
- Up to 3 Mental Wellness Days
- Up to $1,000 annual educational expense allowance
- Initial Florida Medical Training Licensure reimbursement
- Stipends for national meeting presentations
- APA membership dues
- $50/week meal stipend on outside rotations; all meals provided at SWH
- Free parking and secure on-call rooms
- Personalized embroidered white coat
- Comprehensive Health, Vision & Dental Insurance
- ACLS, BLS & PALS recertification (in-house, reimbursement cost)
- Confidential grievance reporting and peer support
- Paid orientation and extensive welcome sessions
Current Residents
GME Division Leadership
Faculty & Providers
Psychiatry
Neurology
Child & Adolescent
Addiction Psychiatry
Consult Liaison
Primary Care — Family Medicine
Primary Care — Internal Medicine
Psychology / MH Counselors
Outpatient Psychiatry
Forensic Psychiatry
Outpatient Psychotherapy
How to Apply
Requirements
Eligible applicants must be graduates of a medical school accredited by the LCME, the AOA, or of an international medical school listed by the World Health Organization's World Directory of Medical Schools. International Medical Graduates must have a current, valid ECFMG certificate or a full unrestricted license to practice medicine in a US licensing jurisdiction. J-1 VISAs are not sponsored.
Selection Criteria
- Documentation of excellent academic records and medical school performance
- Scores on USMLE Step 1 and 2 of over 215 on the first attempt (or COMLEX equivalent)
- Three full years of clinical experience in a US hospital is strongly recommended for IMGs
- Demonstrated interest in Psychiatry through research, publications, volunteer work, or Mental Health advocacy
- Applicants must not have been dismissed from a previous residency program
- Years since medical school graduation will be closely examined
ACGME ID#: 4001100007
NRMP ID: 2393400C0
Contact
Institutional Coordinator: Raquel Valdes — rvaldes@southernwindshospital.com
Clerkship Coordinator: mrodriguez@southernwindshospital.com
Residents Criteria for Graduation
- Successful completion of the Psychiatry Residency Program including required duration, rotations, continuity clinics, didactic sessions, clinical logs, CME activities, one QI project and one Research project
- Consistent attendance at didactic seminars and conferences
- Sufficient breadth and depth of clinical patient experience documented through patient logs
- Regular participation in required individual supervision sessions
- Successful completion of the USMLE/COMLEX Step 3 examination
- Attainment of program goals and objectives as outlined in ACGME psychiatry program requirements
- Achievement of the Psychiatry Milestones assessed by the program director and Clinical Competency Committee
- Meeting requirements set forth by the ABPN for board eligibility and certification
- A record free from serious clinical judgment errors or successful completion of remedial training
- No documented instances of unethical or unprofessional behavior
Medical Students' Clerkship Opportunities
Southern Winds Hospital's Medical Student Clerkship Program aims to offer medical students competency-based education and clinical training within the field of Psychiatry. The clerkship's primary objective is to equip medical students with extensive skills in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating patients dealing with psychiatric and behavioral health issues.
Within our clinical facilities, medical students will function as integral members of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating closely with Psychiatrists, resident physicians, other mental health professionals, and various ancillary disciplines.
Beyond their clinical involvement, all medical students can attend didactic sessions covering essential aspects of Psychiatry including teaching rounds, Journal Club discussions, lectures, Grand Rounds presentations, and other educational activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply to your program?
We accept applications through the ERAS program. We do not offer any positions outside of the NRMP match.
Are there moonlighting opportunities available?
Yes, residents who show progress on their PRITE scores from PGY 1 to PGY 3 and are in good academic standing as defined by the program are eligible to moonlight with the permission of the program director.
What is the cut off point for year of graduation from medical school?
No more than 5 years.
What other documents would be required?
MSPE or Dean's letter, medical school transcript, NBME transcript (USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3 if available) or NBOME or ECFMG transcript/certification, personal statement, curriculum vitae, and 3 letters of recommendation no older than 3 years.
Do you accept applications from foreign medical graduates?
We accept applications from all qualified US and International graduates.
What visas do you support?
Our program will consider J-1 VISAs sponsored through the ECFMG. We do not sponsor VISAs at this time.
What EMR do you use?
We use Health Care Systems (HCS) for all of our medical records.
What is it like to live in Miami?
Miami is a great city to live in, having the pros of living in a big metropolitan area with few cons. There are beautiful beaches, plenty of restaurants, parks, festivals, and things to do around the city whether you are single or will be arriving with a family.
How many CME days do residents receive?
Residents receive 5 CME days per year. Residents are provided a stipend each year for educational purposes including conferences, training materials, etc.
Do residents have an opportunity to teach in this program?
Yes. We strongly believe that teaching is an excellent tool for learning. All residents are encouraged to support and teach their colleagues, faculty, and medical students. Residents have the opportunity to teach University medical students who rotate on the units during their 3rd and 4th year electives.
Is there a cut-off score for application?
There is no cut-off score for application. To be ranked, applicants must have passing scores for Steps 1, 2 and 3 of USMLE and/or COMLEX ranging in the 200's on their first attempt. IMG applicants must be ECFMG certified to qualify for an interview.
Start Your Journey With Us
Ready to begin your psychiatric residency training? We'd love to hear from you.
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