Family Medicine Rural Track Residency Program in El Dorado
University of Arkansas for Medical Services (UAMS) - South Regional CampusFamily Medicine Rural Track Residency Program in El Dorado
Our program prepares physicians to serve rural areas, delivering whole person care in clinics, hospitals, emergency settings, and labor & delivery—with strong community support.
Program Schedule
Our program follows a 4-4-4 model, welcoming four new residents each academic year. Training begins in an urban setting during PGY-1 and transitions to a rural environment in PGY-2 and PGY-3. The rural training site in El Dorado, about a two-hour drive from Little Rock, offers a refreshing change of pace and rich, hands-on learning opportunities. Most residents live in Little Rock during PGY-1, where a variety of housing options are available. For PGY-2 and PGY-3, we recommend settling in or near El Dorado, where most of your training occurs. The area provides affordable housing and a reasonable cost of living, making it a practical and comfortable choice. For more details on housing, visit Go El Dorado.
Curriculum and Rotations
PGY-1 Rotations in Little Rock, Arkansas
As a UAMS Regional Centers El Dorado Family Medicine resident, you will spend your PGY-1 year in Little Rock, splitting your time between UAMS Health Little Rock Family Medical Center, UAMS Medical Center, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
As a resident, you typically spend one half-day per week on average in the continuity clinic.
| Curriculum | Duration |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Half Month |
| Behavioral Health/Night Float | One Month |
| FM Wards | Three Months |
| Geriatrics | One Month |
| Family Medicine Center/Airway | One Month |
| Medical ICU | One Month |
| Nursery | One Month |
| Radiology/Neurology | One Month |
| Cardiology | One Month |
| Pediatric Outpatient/ER | One Month |
| Pediatric Inpatient | One Month |
| Continuity Clinic (longitudinal) | 12 Months |
PGY-2 Rotations in El Dorado, Arkansas
As a UAMS Regional Centers El Dorado family medicine resident, you spend PGY-2 and PGY-3 years in El Dorado, splitting your time between UAMS Health El Dorado Family Medical Clinic, South Arkansas Regional Hospital, South Arkansas Women’s Clinic, and other partnered clinics within the program.
As a resident, you typically spend one half-day per week on average in the continuity clinic.
| Curriculum | Duration |
|---|---|
| Pediatric Clinic | Half Month |
| Newborn Nursery | Half Month |
| Family Medical Center | Two Months |
| FM Wards | Two Months |
| Emergency Medicine | One Month |
| Gynecology | One Month |
| Obstetrics | Two Months |
| Elective (Rural locations) | Two Months |
| Long-Term Care (Longitudinal) | 12 Months |
| Continuity Clinic (Longitudinal) | 12 Months |
PGY-3 Rotations in El Dorado, Arkansas
As a resident, you typically spend four half days per week on average in continuity clinic
| Curriculum | Duration |
|---|---|
| Family Medical Center | Two Months |
| FM Wards/ICU | Two Months |
| Orthopedics/Sports Medicine | One Month |
| Behavioral Health/Wound Care | One Month |
| Obstetrics | Two Months |
| Gynecology | One Month |
| Elective (Rural locations) | Two Months |
| Elective (Rural/Urban options) | Two Months |
| Long-Term Care (Longitudinal) | 12 Months |
| Continuity Clinic (Longitudinal) | 12 Months |
Additional Longitudinal Experiences
PGY-1
- Outpatient pediatrics
- Family Medicine procedures
- Nursing home
- Wound care
- House calls
PGY-2 and PGY-3
- Population Health
- Health Systems Management
- Scholarly activity
- Point of Care Ultrasound
- Electives Experiences:
- Obstetrics
- Gynecology
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- ICU
- Behavioral Health
- Orthopedics
- FMC
- FM Wards
- Quality Improvement Project/Research
As a resident, you are encouraged to develop new elective experiences in areas of special interest, with the assistance of the Residency Program Director. Electives are approved, ensuring that more than 50% of all training takes place in rural sites. Your elective selection is guided by your Individual Learning Plan (ILP), with support from the Program Director and Faculty Advisor.
Interview Schedule
Interviews for the 2025–2026 season will be offered virtually or in person. Our interview schedule runs from October through January. What type of family doctor do you want to be? Start the conversation about your future in El Dorado today!
Contact Us
Janie Ward, Program Coordinator
620 W. Grove Street, Suite 202
El Dorado, Arkansas 71730