Our family practice residency program is located near the Oklahoma border in a growing city with a population of 85,000, and enjoys the support and cooperation of the citizens, the medical community, and private businesses. We serve not only the Fort Smith and Van Buren areas, but much of west central Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Fort Smith is in the Arkansas River Valley, with the Ozark Mountains to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south. The area enjoys abundant scenic beauty and is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors.
Residents in our program are trained in the cognitive and procedural skills needed to become the best possible family physicians. The Family Practice faculty has privileges and train residents in colonoscopy, EGD, C-sections and tubal ligation at our hospitals. At AHEC-Fort Smith, you will find the resources, atmosphere, and opportunity to provide families with comprehensive health care in a structured program designed to provide you with the broadest possible educational experience. Your residency training will occur under the supervision and direction of a talented faculty of Family Physicians.
There are now two tracks at AHEC Fort Smith. Residents will decide between an OB track and a minimal-OB track after meeting minimal ACGME requirements. In the minimum-OB track, residents will still get exposure to OB but will not be required to see as many obstetric patients and can focus more time on other interests. Those choosing the OB track will get more intense OB training, especially in surgical and high risk obstetrics. AHEC also has an OB fellowship for those wishing to get more experience in surgical obstetrics.
Sponsored by UAMS Regional Programs, the fully accredited program offers a three-year residency in family practice. Financial support comes from UAMS, income generated from clinic visits and hospital stays, as well as from Sparks Regional Medical Center. Residents work primarily out of the AHEC clinic and Sparks Regional Medical Center with elective opportunities at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center.