Postgraduate Primary Care Physician Assistant Residency Program
The Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta Veterans Affairs medical Center offers a 12-month didactic and clinical education program focusing on adult primary care medicine focusing on Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) concepts of clinical leadership, systems-based practice, chronic disease management, practice process improvement, patient engagement in their own care, and seamless, timely transitions of care between primary and specialty care.
The VA offers a competitive stipend for for one year of training, paid vacation and sick leave, and options for health insurance. Two residents will be accepted for this program annually.
Deadlines for applications will be 15 November for an estimated February start day and 15 May for an estimated August start date.
The PACT model is built on the well-known concept of the patient centered medical home (PCMH) staffed by high-functioning teams. This training program is among the first primary care PA residencies in the country. We strive for delivery of an outstanding educational experience for residents to become not only VA employee leaders and change agents but also leaders in their profession and for the benefit of the future patients they will serve. The ultimate outcomes will promote improved outcomes in quality of care, patient and provider experience and cost efficiency.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to prepare Physician Assistant Postgraduates to be effective leaders and members of the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) to support the VA commitment to “Honor America’s veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and wellbeing.”
Residency Overview
- One-year commitment: beginning as close to August 1 through the following August 31st or February 1st through March 31st (dates may fluctuate depending on graduation from PA school).
- Receive clinical and academic training from Atlanta VA physicians, physician assistants and other faculty
- Learn the VA Patient Aligned Care Team or PACT methodology of care to improve access and availability of care to our nation’s veteran population
- An excellent opportunity to add expertise in Primary Care to your PA credentials while enhancing your skills, experience and marketability
- Clinical rotations all within the Joseph Maxwell Cleland VA Medical Center and Atlanta community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC)
- Competitive stipend
- Scrubs and white coats provided
- Hiring preference within the VA system upon completion of residency
- Four residents selected per year
Rotations (Core and electives)
Primary Care PACT
Emergency Medicine / Urgent Care
Internal Medicine
Geriatrics
Telehealth
Cardiology
Pulmonary
Womens’ Wellness Health
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Mental / Behavioral health
Palliative
Training Sites
Rotations can be at any of the 22 locations serving a 50-county area in northeast Georgia. Facilities include our Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur (Joseph Maxwell Cleland VA Medical Center) and 21 community-based outpatient clinics in Atlanta, Blairsville, Brookhaven, Carrollton, College Park, Covington, Flowery Branch, Decatur, East Point, Jasper, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Newnan, Rome, Smyrna, and Stockbridge.
Application Criteria / Process
- U. S. Citizen
- Graduate (or anticipated graduation at time of application) from an ARC-PA accredited PA program
- NCCPA certified
- State licensure eligible at time of application, and awarded at time of starting residency
- Current BLS certification
- Completed application form
- Current resume/curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation, including a letter from PA Program clinical director or Program Chair
- Personal Essay on why you are interested in postgraduate primary care training with emphasis on caring for the VA patient
- Official transcripts from colleges/PA school
- We request preceptor evaluation of student (for recent graduates) from Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Surgery rotations in graduate education program (PA School). (optional but highly recommended)
Applications can be mailed or emailed to:
Dr. Robert Baye, DMSc, PA-C
Joseph Maxwell Cleland VA Medical Center
1670 Clairemont Road
Room 6C160
Decatur GA 30033
Phone: