Contact Us

University of Minnesota North Memorial Family Medicine Residency

Address: 1020 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Phone: 612-302-8209
Fax: 612-302-8275

E-mail:
Mark Bixby, MD, director: bixby001@umn.edu
Lori McPherson, clinic manager: lmcphrsn@umphysicians.umn.edu
Pamela Coppa, program administrator: pcoppa@umphysicians.umn.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Family medicine service
Graduates
International travel
Parental/newborn elective
Procedures
Research

What is the average number of patients carried by interns on the family medicine service?
Three to five

Where do graduates practice?

• 71% practice in Minnesota
• 35% of those practicing in Minnesota are in rural areas
• 20% are on staff at North Memorial (Note: Family medicine is the largest specialty on the hospital staff.)
  

Are there opportunities for international travel?
Yes, residents may travel during the second or third year or both for the community health rotation; international medicine, infectious disease, or research electives; or an independent learning topic. To participate in one of these opportunities, residents must:

• Get approval by advisor and director for time away well in advance
• Get approval for site and preceptor (must be an MD) by advisor and director
• Submit goals and objectives for the experience in writing
• Get VISA, passport, immunizations, and other planning (IRB approval for research) completed 6-12 months in advance

Is there a parental/newborn elective?
Yes, this rotation augments the practical education inherent in experiencing pregnancy and care of a newborn. Goals are to encourage reflection on the experience of the role of patient; increase expertise in the management of pregnancy and delivery through literature review and concomitant experience; and understand the psychosocial literature on childbirth, parenting, and parental roles. This elective is available to both male and female residents.

What is the average number of deliveries and other procedures?

• Residents report 150 to 250 deliveries during their three years of residency; of these, 20 to 30 patients are from the family medicine clinic.
• Other procedures (numbers are approximate):
  • Colposcopy: 6-20
  • C-sections: assist—20-40; as surgeon—0-10 
  • OB ultrasound: 10-40
  • 3rd/4th degree perineal repair: 0-4
  • Vasectomy: 0-30

Are residents involved in research?
Residents participate in research according to interest (a research project isn't required). In past years, residents have completed research on barriers to breastfeeding, post-partum depression, cold weather adaptation, lead poisoning in children, and other topics. Residents have also worked with faculty on studies of doctor-patient communication in well-child care and on the structure of office visits. Faculty research projects include studies of screening for HIV, adolescent behavioral risks and chlamydia infection, prenatal care, and analgesia during childbirth.