Program Highlights

Our program began in 1970 and is the oldest Family Medicine residency west of the Mississippi River.
We are one of the largest FP residencies in Texas with 12 residents per year level.
Academically strong, stable faculty with 12 full time Family Practice faculty, 3 full time OB/Gyn faculty, and a full time pediatrician.
The program has a sound financial base through diverse funding sources and the Family Health Center's designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center.
Our program is the only residency of any specialty in Waco.
As of July 2003 we have had 249 graduates who practice medicine at diverse sites around the country.
The residency program is operated by the McLennan County Medical Society.
In July 2001 we completed a 12,000 square foot expansion to add office space and a new 180 seat lecture hall.
As of December 2006, a new addition is underway to quadruple our pharmacy facility and to allow our affiliated Family Counseling and Children's services to be housed at the main site. This site will also include a psychiatrist to help with consultations.
The program utilizes a state of the art electronic medical records system. Residents and faculty receive a notebook computer with wireless network/internet access from the Family Practice Center and local hospitals. VPN internet connection to the medical records system allows review of information and charting from home.
Seven satellite clinics provide outreach to our community. The South 18th Street Clinic includes dental services for children while the McGregor, Bellmead, and Elm Avenue Clinics as well as 2 school based clinics provide easier access to patients from various parts of the county..
A pocket PC is provided to all residents.
Residents receive excellent training in obstetrics with an option for a high or low obstetrics track.
We are now offering training in colonoscopy via our option of a Surgery 2 rotation during the first year.
We are committed to providing an outstanding didactic curriculum. Example of our monthly lecture schedule.
An International Medicine Department facilitates involvement of interested residents in health care delivery at sites around the world.
The Practice Management Series is one of the program's unique offerings to help prepare residents for business aspects of medical practice.
Moonlighting opportunities at the Family Health Center plus other sites.
The program is affiliated with the nationally known Faculty Development Center of Texas which provides training in academic family medicine to faculty fellows from Texas and the Southwest. Most of our FM faculty have graduated from this fellowship.
An active spouse alliance group provides support to resident families.

Why did I choose Waco? “I chose Waco because it offered the best overall package. The people are one to the program’s greatest assets, and the residents here were among the happiest that I have found. The camaraderie makes a difficult month actually fun. The program itself has the advantage of being a community based program, which makes a huge difference in the experience you walk away with. It offers countless perks and benefits for the residents. The set-up of the clinic is about as close as you can get to private practice while still in residency. Waco itself is actually a great location. It is big enough to offer plenty of amenities and small enough so you don’t fight traffic (which allows us to take home call). Waco is close enough to Austin and Dallas for a little extra variety (on your 2 guaranteed weekends off every month). Waco is a ‘family practice friendly’ town professionally and a good place to raise a family personally. Waco offers good schools and great social support, especially with the activities of our Resident Spouse Alliance. It’s just a great package.”

Premal Patel, Chief Resident, 2004-2005