Residency Program
Wright State University offers a dual aerospace medicine residency and master’s program. This two-year civilian training program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and provides all of the academic year (PGY-2) and practicum year (PGY-3) residency training requirements for the American Board of Preventive Medicine. A minimum of one clinical year (PGY-1) must be completed prior to entering our residency program. (Due to our funding mechanism, only U.S. citizens are eligible for the residency portion of the program).
Residents who successfully complete the program will receive both a residency certificate and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Medicine, thus becoming eligible to sit for the Preventive Medicine/Aerospace Medicine board exam. Neither fellowships nor combined programs with other residencies are offered.
Medical and scientific personnel at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are closely affiliated with Wright State University, and residents may use Wright-Patterson Air Force Base facilities to perform research for their required Master of Science research project.
U.S. Citizens Who Are Foreign Medical Graduates: Applicants: Please note that you are required to have ECFMG/USMLE certification in addition to completion of at least one ACGME approved PGY-1 year. (Due to our funding mechanism, only U.S. citizens are eligible for the residency. Non-U.S. citizens may apply for the master's portion of the program only. See: Master of Science Program).
The program is constituted as follows:
Clinical Year (PGY-1): One prior ACGME-accredited year in a recognized direct primary patient care specialty is the minimum requirement. (For example: family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, transitional year.) This must be completed prior to entering our residency program.
Academic Year (PGY-2): This 12-month period provides graduate course work in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration, environmental health, etc. A research topic in aerospace medicine is selected, and research is begun, under supervision. Certain clinical aerospace medicine experiences are provided, along with field trips to aviation-related facilities. This academic year extends from July 1 through June 30.
The Practicum Year (PGY-3): Supervised experience and application. The second year consists of continued progress and completion of the research project undertaken in the first year. Residents must complete several clinical aerospace medicine rotations at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Federal Aviation Administration, Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers, forensic pathology, etc. (Non-resident, master’s-only students spend this year performing research in furtherance of their required research project.)
Master of Science Degree: The Master of Science degree in Aerospace Medicine is awarded to resident trainees who complete a minimum of 46 hours of graduate course work and the required research project. |
