For the first time, Wheeler is launching a unique residency program for nurse practitioners and physician assistants designed to cultivate clinical leaders in community health. The two residency tracks, primary care and psychiatry, provide a high-quality, patient-centered training and mentoring environment within an innovative Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) setting and across more than 100 community-based programs offered at Wheeler. The tracks seek to empower residents to become competent, patient-centered clinical practitioners who will make a meaningful impact in Connecticut’s communities most at risk and in need of accessible, high-quality health care.
“We want to nurture independent clinicians who will support patients under their care to lead healthier, more productive lives,” said Rebecca Eleck-Bruce, MD, Wheeler’s primary care medical director. “Through clinical preceptors, mentoring, didactic sessions, and a variety of specialty clinics, residents will receive a well-rounded education that prepares them to address the unique challenges we face every day providing community-based health care across the state.”
“For more than 55 years, Wheeler has been at the forefront of offering the latest in mental health, addiction, and psychiatric practices,” adds Michael Twist, DO, Wheeler’s psychiatric medical director. “I believe our psychiatric residency provides a unique opportunity for graduates to learn leading-edge treatments, in a setting that is meaningful and impactful for their future careers in health care.”
Residents will engage in a variety of clinical and didactic activities throughout the program, including specialty clinics, mentor clinics, didactic sessions, and administration. Specialty clinics include pediatrics, addiction medicine, psychiatry/behavioral health, gender-affirming care, transcranial magnetic stimulation and SPRAVATO® (esketamine) therapy for depression, mobile health care in the community, and more. “We envision our residencies to become programs of choice for new graduates seeking to become strong, competent, patient-centered clinical practitioners,” Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, Wheeler president and chief executive officer. “We’re proud to be able to invest in the future of community-focused medicine in Connecticut.”
Applications are open until April 30, and the residencies begin in the fall of 2024. For more information about the Wheeler Residency Programs and how to apply, please visit WheelerHealth.org/residency
