BayCare Expands Graduate Medical Education with New Residency Programs for Future Physicians

BayCare Expands Graduate Medical Education Programs

BayCare Health System has recently announced an expansion of its graduate medical education (GME) programs, which will introduce seven new residency opportunities for upcoming medical school graduates. This initiative is aimed at addressing the ongoing physician shortage in the United States while enhancing the quality of healthcare accessible to the communities in West Central Florida.

As medical school students prepare to select their residency programs, up to 172 of them are poised to receive placements within BayCare's newly introduced programs starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Notably, BayCare will initiate its first Emergency Medicine residency, a significant addition to its medical training offerings. Besides Emergency Medicine, the new lineup includes four Internal Medicine programs, a Transitional Year program, and a fellowship focused on child and adolescent psychiatry.

This expansion will bring the total number of GME programs under BayCare’s umbrella to 16, showcasing a commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare providers. Currently, BayCare sponsors a total of 12 programs, while Florida State University and the University of South Florida each sponsor two. With this advancement, the health system anticipates housing around 280 residents across various specialties by the end of 2025, doubling the current years' number of residents. Furthermore, projections indicate that BayCare aims to train approximately 650 residents by the year 2029.

Stephanie Conners, President and CEO of BayCare, underlined the organization's commitment to community health, stating, "We are excited to train the next generation of physicians to serve the families of West Central Florida." The new residency programs will include placements at key local hospitals, with varied capacities, ensuring that training is comprehensive and meets the needs of the community. For example, the Emergency Medicine program at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa will accommodate 30 residents, while multiple Internal Medicine programs across Mease Countryside Hospital and Morton Plant North Bay Hospital will train a total of 180 residents combined.

Dr. Sowmya Viswanathan, Chief Physician Executive at BayCare, expressed anticipation for the incoming resident physicians noting their potential to introduce the latest scientific advancements into practice. “These residents will bring the most up-to-date innovations from their extensive classroom training and will be engaged in scholarly activities that enhance BayCare’s research dimensions,” she said.

The urgent need for more healthcare professionals in the U.S. has received attention at the state level, with initiatives such as the Florida Legislature's Live Healthy Act fostering an environment conducive to expanding GME opportunities. By attracting more young physicians to the region, BayCare aims to foster a workforce that will likely remain in the area post-residency, thus further strengthening the healthcare framework in West Central Florida.

In addition to training programs, BayCare emphasizes the importance of clinical research, which is integral to its mission of improving health outcomes. The organization actively engages its providers in research efforts aimed at unveiling disease causes, assessing treatment efficacy, and discovering new therapeutic applications.

With 16 hospitals and numerous outpatient centers throughout the Tampa Bay region, BayCare stands as a leading not-for-profit health system in the area. It is noted for its remarkable services in behavioral and pediatric health, alongside a robust network of urgent care facilities, imaging, laboratories, and home care services, making it a central pillar in health provision in central Florida. By further investing in medical education, BayCare not only enhances its service capabilities but also secures a sustainable health workforce for the future.

For more information about BayCare's Graduate Medical Education Programs, visit BayCare.org.