The Institute receives renewed federal funding for Teaching Health Center programs

The Institute for Family Health was awarded renewed funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program, which provides support to two of the Institute’s three family medicine residencies. These residency programs graduate seven resident physicians annually in New York City and 10 annually in the Hudson Valley, with the majority of training taking place in community health centers.

Teaching Health Centers (THCs) are community-based primary care training programs committed to preparing health professionals to work in communities historically neglected due to racism and poverty. By training physicians in these communities, THCs are on the leading edge of ensuring a relevant and sufficient supply of primary care providers. Though THCs often collaborate with other health and education organizations to ensure quality training for their trainees, they maintain the lead role in setting the educational mission and framework for their programs.

Teaching Health Centers are funded by the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, an initiative established under the Affordable Care Act to increase the number of primary care residents trained in community-based settings. However, the Institute’s funding and funding for all THCs nationwide are contingent on whether Congress acts quickly to reauthorize the program this year. THCs are also asking Congress to increase funding levels to reflect the true cost of training, from $160,000 per resident per year to $210,000.

The Institute’s family medicine residents train primarily at our community health centers, with rotations at nearby hospitals and in other settings. Besides the core requirements for primary care training, these residencies center concepts of social justice and community-based care, as well as advocacy and leadership within the field of family medicine. The Institute currently operates three residency programs, two of which receive THC funds; an additional residency in Brooklyn is also currently in development, and is anticipated to welcome its first class in 2025.

Medical students are invited to visit institute.org/residencies for more information.

# # #

The Institute for Family Health (www.institute.org) is a federally qualified health center network that serves more than 100,000 patients annually.  Services are available to people of all ages, regardless of ability to pay.