Dear Albany Med-Peds Prospective Team Member
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Thank you for your interest in our program and the Capital District in general. We love what we do here and enjoy every opportunity we get to communicate that. I would like to tell you a little bit about myself and what we have to offer, but first some history.
Our combined program has been providing excellence in training for 25 years. I am only the 3rd program director to be fortunate enough to serve during this long period. As one of the oldest program's in the country, we are indebted to one of our founders, Dr Paul Sorum, who continues to provide us with leadership and guidance to this day and was the initial director for 10 years.
Dr Elizabeth Higgins took the reigns in 1997 and our program continued to blossom under her supervision. Dr Higgins accepted a position as Associate Dean of our Medical College in 2006 and I have since begun my tenure as program director, successfully navigating us through ACGME accreditation and looking to a bright future.
Our Combined continuity clinic has expanded this year, and the 12,127 sq feet structure is the medical home to 12,000 patients whose healthy living is fostered by our 8 combined med-peds faculty and 16 residents. We have benefited from outstanding institutional support and confidence over the years, exemplified by this 4,017 sq feet expansion representing an almost 50% increase in office space. The space includes a direct observation patient room with a one-way window allowing timely feedback for our residents on their clinical skills from precepting faculty, an exercise testing suite with a high performance treadmill and a conference room where teaching topics and board review are conducted in a convenient and comfortable environment.
For some personal background, I graduated Med-Peds residency from our program in 2003, serving as Pediatric Chief as a PGY-4. I have since been trained in primary care sports medicine and returned to Albany Medical College as faculty in this capacity. The sports medicine element to our continuity clinic is a rather unique component of our program and has engendered research, advocacy and clinical experience for our residents. We took a team of 5 to the
2008 Empire State Games in upstate New York, providing field-side medical coverage for high school and collegiate athletes.
Medical education has long been a core philosophy of our faculty. Dr Higgins exemplifies this in her role as Associate Dean for the Medical College, likewise Dr Joseph Wayne serves as the Internal Medicine Clerkship Director for the Department of Medicine.
Research is flourishing with many active projects, including a chronic care quality improvement initiative led by Dr Lisann Verrico and Dr Jennifer Lindstrom, injury surveillance and biomechanics projects under my own supervision and frequent clinical case presentations at local, national and international meetings by our residents.
Our faculty and residents enjoy a nice balance of work and play; there are so many things the Capital District has to offer and you will find links to some of these places personally recommended by our team. My personal favorite spot? The Pine Bush Reserve and John Boyd Thacher Park. Beautiful places within minutes drive, where you can run/bike/swim or just enjoy the scenery.
I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Hamish A. Kerr MBChb, MSc
