Family Medicine Residency
Mission Statement
The mission of Palmetto General Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program is to train and educate residents to be competent and compassionate practitioners in the core knowledge and skills of Family Medicine. Our hope is to improve the health of the people of South Florida by training a diverse workforce of primary care practitioners that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region.
Program AIMS
Palmetto General Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program provides a supportive and challenging educational environment within which residents from diverse backgrounds can prepare themselves for careers characterized by a commitment to excellence in service to others through patient care, research, teaching, and lifelong learning. The program strives to train and nurture our residents to be competent, compassionate and forward-looking professionals who will lead the way for tomorrow’s healthcare.
Our dedicated and experienced teaching faculty continually seeks to ensure that all our residents receive high-quality and safe clinical training, whilst also providing the guidance, resources and support required for them to develop their full potential as specialist physicians. Through program faculty development, the educators are able to enhance their evaluation and teaching skills and learn new ways to educate residents in the ever-changing world of medical education.
Palmetto General Hospital Family Medicine residents aim to deliver excellent patient care, uphold the public service ethos, and always place the patient’s interests first. Residents participate in 9 inpatient adult medicine rotations, 5 rotations dedicated to the care of children, 2 rotations in the musculoskeletal systems, and 3 rotations in obstetrics and gynecology, making them well rounded in the foundations of family medicine. The residents also receive guidance in health systems management, behavior health, radiology, and quality improvement.
Program Leadership
Program Coordinator: Angela Pittelli (also covers Critical Care & Podiatry)
Clinical Expectations
Patient Care Responsibilities
- Provide compassionate, appropriate, and effective care for patients
- Perform complete histories & physical exams (new patients) and focused evaluations (established patients)
- Develop problem lists, differential diagnoses, and diagnostic and treatment plans
Progressive Clinical Responsibility
PGY-1 — Work under supervision to:
- Gather patient data (H&P).
- Form initial differentials.
- Order basic tests & treatments.
- Begin patient counseling and preventive care discussions.
Perform procedures with supervision.
PGY-2:
- Provide care with minimal supervision
- Refine diagnostic reasoning and treatment planning
- Begin to consider risk, benefit, and cost, and use evidence-based medicine
- Coordinate care with other healthcare providers
PGY-3:
- Function at the level of an independent Family Medicine physician
- Manage full patient care independently, including complex and chronic conditions
- Integrate evidence-based practice and cost-conscious care
- Complete required procedural competencies
Continuity of Care
- Provide longitudinal care in clinic setting
- Manage preventive care, chronic disease, and acute visits
- Maintain ongoing doctor–patient relationships
Clinical Settings
Residents must function in multiple environments:
- Hospital (inpatient care)
- Outpatient clinic
- Emergency settings (pediatrics, etc.)
- Specialty rotations (OB/GYN, geriatrics, subspecialties)
Team-Based Care
- Work with nurses, case managers, social workers, therapists, and specialists
- Coordinate comprehensive, patient-centered care
Procedures
- Work toward technical & cognitive proficiency in required procedures
- Perform procedures initially with supervision, progressing to independent competency
Clinical Decision-Making
- Use clinical findings, diagnostic results, and evidence-based guidelines
- Adjust plans based on patient preferences and clinical changes
Systems-Based Practice (Clinical)
- Recognize when to consult specialists and use healthcare resources
- Plan discharges, follow-ups, and continuity care needs
- Work within healthcare systems efficiently
Program Director
Peter Cohen, D.O
Assistant Program Director
Lissette Perez Lazo, D.O
Program Coordinator: TBA
Email: elizabeth.romero@hsahospitals.com
Phone Number: (305) 823-5000 Ext: 7764/7764