Frequently asked questions
How are you accredited?
The program is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Where are you located?
The Lewistown Rural Family Medicine Residency is housed at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, located in Lewistown, Pa. We are approximately 60 miles away from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., three hours from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and four hours from New York City and Washington, D.C.
How many residents do you accept?
We received approval in 2021 to expand from a 4/4/4 to a 6/6/6 residency program. We will now accept six residents per year. We determine who to rank based on our applicant pool, which can change year to year.
How many MDs/DOs do you take annually?
We welcome and accept both allopathic and osteopathic applicants. Our goal is to recruit top residents. We do not set a standard ratio of DO residents to MD residents.
Is your program opposed?
This is an unopposed, community-based, rural-focused residency program. You will have firsthand patient care experience in all rotations. From time to time, you may interact with a surgical resident from Geisinger Medical Center if you schedule an elective rotation at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. Residents like you will be the sole graduate learners and will have the opportunity to be involved in teaching medical students from Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in the future.
How are continuity clinics structured?
You’ll be assigned to one of two continuity clinics during your PGY1 year: Family Practice Center – Mifflintown or Geisinger Juniata. You will continue to practice at your continuity site throughout your residency, but could take care of patients from all the practice sites while on inpatient and subspecialty rotations. On average, PGY1 residents have one half-day session per week of continuity clinic, while PGY2 and PGY3 residents have four half-day sessions of continuity clinic per week.
What is your board pass rate?
We are very proud of our residents’ success on the American Board of Family Medicine Certifying Examination. Currently, the pass rate for our categorical program is 100%.
Do you couples match?
Yes. We welcome and will work with couples to create a schedule that supports their academic and personal lives.
Do you use an electronic health record?
Yes. Geisinger uses Epic. Residents at Family Practice Center – Mifflintown will also use MedEnt.
Do you sponsor visas?
Yes. Visas will be sponsored on a case-by-case basis.