FAQ

News
  • AGAIN THIS YEAR: Interviews will be conducted virtually. Other pandemic-era accommodations, e.g., for the USMLE suspension of Step 2 Clinical Skills exam, are explained in the frequently asked question, What are your selection criteria?, in the FAQ Eligibility and Selection Criteria section below.

On this page, you will find answers to many of the most commonly asked questions about the residency programs at Hurley Medical Center, which is affiliated with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Program-specific questions are also answered on the FAQ pages for each of the residency programs.

About Hurley Medical Center

Is Hurley Medical Center affiliated with a medical school?

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Hurley has major affiliations with the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and the University of Michigan Health System, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels of training. Hurley Medical Center is part of the Flint Campus of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. About 100 third- and fourth-year medical students are assigned to the Flint Campus annually. Our internal medicine, pediatric, combined internal medicine/pediatric, obstetrics and gynecology, and transitional year residency training programs, as well as the geriatric medicine and trauma fellowships, are affiliated with the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. The emergency medicine residency, emergency medicine pediatric fellowship and pediatric dentistry residency are affiliated with the University of Michigan.

What is Hurley Medical Center's Vision?

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The Vision of Hurley Medical Center is to be a premier public teaching medical center recognized as a regional resource for advanced specialized health care.

What's new at Hurley?

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  • Top surgical quality: In fall 2023, the American College of Surgeons awarded one of its highest designations to Hurley Medical Center as a Surgical Quality Partner in recognition of its safety and most effective surgical care.
  • More surgical robots: Another daVinci XI robot is joining the existing daVinci surgical robot supply at Hurley in March 2024 so that surgical teams have more minimually invasive options in obstetrics & gynecology surgery, and more.
  • Smallest pacemaker in the world: As of 2023, Hurley's cath lab now uses the world's smallest pacemaker, which means patients can't feel it. There are no scars, no wires running to the heart, and fewer activity restrictions.
  • Earth-friendly features that reduce Hurley's carbon footprint and improve Energy Star rating: Optimized building-cooling capabilities, occupancy-sensing controlled lighting in 80% of occupied areas, upgraded boilers & controls for more efficient heating, air-quality monitoring of all floors with real-time ventilation response, >240 temperature-controlled zones, humidification system improvements, cardboard-recycling, and LED lighting upgrades. Results: Reductions in: comfort complains in patient-care areas, campuswide energy intensity, and winter and summer peak usage, and higher energy-driven rebates in 2023, projected to be even better in 2024.
  • 'Medical Home' designation for Hurley clinic: Hurley's Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency's MOB Family Medical Clinic was designated as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, effective Sept. 1, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2024. It indicates high quality standards and also makes the clinic eligible for higher reimbursement from insurers.
  • New adolescent behavioral health unit: Fourteen beds for ages 12-17, on the 3rd floor, West Tower. Officially launched in fall 2022.
  • Best Hospital in the City: Hurley was voted best hospital again in 2023 in the My City Wellness Award program, recognizing it for excellence.
  • Best ER in the City: Hurley ER was voted best Emergency Room again in 2023 in the My City Wellness Award, recognizing its exceptional care to adults, children, and seniors.
  • Nutritious foods for kids: Patients at the Hurley Children's Clinic (at the Flint Farmers' Market) receive fruit and vegetable prescriptions at every visit to be filled for fresh produce. Ordered through electronic medical records and printed on prescription paper, it can be redeemed for up to $15 of fresh fruits and vegetables at the Flint Farmers' Market, thanks to a 2022 grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures.
  • Federal loan forgiveness: Hurley Medical Center and The Hurley Clinics are designated as a qualifying employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which means employees who are eligible can have certain federal student loans forgiven after 10 years of qualifying payments. For more information visit www.ibrinfo.org.
  • New leadership in Internal Medicine: Dr Philp McDonald and Dr Adiraj Singh were named interim program director and interim associate program director, respectively, in 2023.
  • New leadership in Transitional Year: Dr Adiraj Singh was named interim program director in Transitional Year in 2023.
  • New Pediatrics faculty: New Pediatrics faculty in 2022024 include pediatric intensivist Dr Asaad Beshish, neonatologist Dr Minkyung Choe, hemagologist/oncologist Dr Adonis Lorenzana, and Peds faculty and associate program director Dr Gerbaksh Esch.
  • New Pediatrics and Combined Medicine/Pediatrics faculty: Dr Brittany Taylor was named 2022-2024 Pediatric Public Health Initiative Alice Hamilton Scholar, which includes attending physician roles at both the Hurley Children's Clinic (with pediatric residents) and the Hurley MOB Family Medical Clinic (with Med/Peds residents).
  • Neuro-Trauma Surgical Burn ICU Excellence: Hurley's Neuro-Trauma Surgical Burn ICU is the ONLY trauma unit in the U.S. awarded the prestigious Gold Beacon Award of Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses in 2023.
  • New leadership in Trauma-Surgery fellowship: Dr Gul Sachwani Daswani was named director of the Trauma-Surgery and Trauma-Research fellowships in 2023.
  • New trauma surgery faculty: Dr. Adam Howell was hired as a trauma surgeon and faculty member after he graduated from Hurley's trauma surgery fellowship in 2023.
  • Biggest community health investor in Michigan: Hurley Medical Center was ranked by the Lown Institute as the state's top hospital for community health investments.
  • Geriatric excellence: Hurley received national recognition for its geriatric care from: 1) American College of Emergency Physicians - Bronze-Standard, Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Program; and 2) Institute for Healthcare Improvement and its partners (the John A Hartford Foundation, American Hospital Association, and Catholic Health Associates of the United States) - Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence. HMC offers a fast-track ER for patients 65 and up, a special fracture-care program for seniors, and a NICHE program.
  • Code Lavender: Hurley's Pastoral Care officially added Code Lavender, a crisis intervention tool to support any person at Hurley Medical Center. Typically, staff members may request the service after difficult losses or stressful cases, but familieis also may benefit.
  • Stroke Achievement Award: The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association awarded Hurley its Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award. Hurley had already received the AHA/ASA Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll Award.
  • World's Best Smart Hospitals in 2023: Newsweek Magazine and global data research company Statista Inc. ranked Hurley among the top 50 smart hospitals in the U.S., and #115 in the world. Only two hospitals in Michigan were in the top 50 of the U.S. Hurley makes full use of Epic EMR.
  • Internal wellness website: Hurley Employee wellness now offers information at your fingertips from an internal website on the Intranet, including resources for our EAP plans, 24/7 free fitness areas, and other items.

Are jobs at Hurley eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program?

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Yes. Hurley Medical Center is a qualified employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit

https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

What are your selection criteria?

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In addition to strong scores on the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Learning Examination of the United States (COMLEX), we also require residency applicants to have graduated from medical school no more than five years before entering the residency program, unless the applicant has significant clinical experience in the interim.

We look at the entire application when evaluating candidates; however, candidates must pass the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, and Step 2 Clinical Skills within the first two attempts.

Pandemic adaptations

International medical graduates: Due to USMLE suspension of Step 2 Clinical Skills exams, qualified international medical graduate applicants who were were not able to take the examination may meet the clinical skills requirement of this policy by meeting 1 of 6 pathways offered by the ECFMG. After a pathway has been met, candidates must provide documentation to programs. Pathway eligibility is defined by the ECFMG on its Requirements for ECFMG Certification for Match web page.

Medical students from LCME-approve medical schools: Medical students from LCME-approved medical schools will be required to meet medical school guidelines for replacing the Step 2 CS exam requirements. Candidates may be asked to provide information/ documentation regarding medical school requirements.

Duration: The USMLE Step 2-CS interim requirement for eligibility in Hurley residency-training programs will remain in effect until the USMLE Step CS examination has been officially reinstated.

MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS

USMLE
Step 1*Step 2 CKStep 2 CS
Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics220220Pass
Internal Medicine220220Pass
Obstetrics & Gynecology220220Pass
Pediatrics220220Pass
Transitional Year210210Pass

*For Step 1, a 3-digit score is required prior to Jan. 26, 2022. Thereafter, candidates must obtain an outcome of "Pass."


COMLEX
Level 1Level 2

Combined Internal Medicine/ Pediatrics

Internal Medicine

Pediatrics

Transitional Year

>/= Ave**>/= Ave**
Obstetrics & GynecologyNot considered***

** Candidates who take COMLEX Level 1 and COMLEX Level 2 must have a passing score that is at or above the national mean for their exam year.

*** Candidates for Obstetrics & Gynecology must take the USMLE.

What are your pre-employment requirements?

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In addition to meeting eligibility criteria and providing certain documentation, pre-employment requirements include illicit drug screening and background checks, as well as program-specific clinical certifications (e.g., BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc.), obtaining a Michigan medical license, and meeting visa requirements (when applicable). See the Eligibility and Selection Criteria FAQ for more details.

Do you require U.S. clinical experience to be considered for a position in your residency program?

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We do not require U.S. experience. However, if an applicant has had significant experience in a U.S. practice or hospital, that can be an asset.

Do you offer pre-match positions?

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No pre-match positions are offered in our residency training programs.

Do you accept osteopathic physicians in your residency programs?

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Yes, we welcome osteopathic physicians to apply for our residency positions. To do so, visit the allopathic Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) online at: www.aamc.org/services/eras/, and submit your application, personal statement, dean’s letter, etc. Your COMLEX scores are an acceptable alternative to the USMLE scores.

For all training programs at Hurley, applicants must pass COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2 in the first two attempts. In addition, each of the the scores must be >/= the average COMLEX score for the applicant’s exam year.

What about USMLE Step 3?

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USMLE Step 3 is not required for interview purposes.

Financial Aid

I am a medical student with loans. Is there anything that Hurley can do to help?

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Yes. Hurley Medical Center meets the criteria for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This new program offers forgiveness for remaining debt after a physician has completed ten years of eligible employment and qualifying loan payments. [During those 10 years, an Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan can help keep your loan payments affordable.] For more information on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

Immigration

Do the residency training programs accept Visas?

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Hurley accepts J-1 Visas.

Residency Applications and Interviews

How do I apply to a Hurley Residency Training Program?

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Applications to all of our residency training programs must be sent through the Electronic Residency Application Service ( ERAS). ERAS is the service that transmits residency applications, letters of recommendations, transcripts and other supporting documents for candidates. The ERAS website is www.aamc.org/eras. Each residency training program utilizes the National Resident Matching Program to rank candidates who meet criteria for appointment to specific residency training programs at Hurley. The NRMP Web Site is www.nrmp.org.

Find out more about applying to one of the Hurley residency training programs.

Candidates for fellowships at Hurley Medical Center have their own application processes. View the specific fellowship program's Apply page for details.

Pediatric Psychology

Rehabilitation Psychology

Trauma Research Fellowship

Trauma Surgery Fellowship

How will I know if I have been selected for an interview?

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You will receive an e-mail from the program who interviewed you, with an invitation to select an interview date. Some programs may use interview-scheduling software. Please follow the email instructions carefully. We attempt to be as flexible as possible with interview dates, so in most cases you will have several options for interview days. Once you select a date, inform the program coordinator as described in your email invitation. You will receive email confirmation, as well as further instructions.

Should I email the program director or coordinator with my application information or to ask about the likelihood of getting an interview?

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No, all applications are reviewed only on ERAS. No advice or recommendation is given over email or telephone. The program does have eligibility criteria; however, all applications are reviewed in their entirety only on ERAS.

Does Research and Observership come under the criteria of U.S. clinical experience?

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Research and serving as an observer do not meet the criteria of U.S. clinical experience.

Are candidates required to participate in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)?

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Yes, all candidates for residency programs must submit their applications through ERAS. This includes Osteopathic physicians and international medical graduates. The ERAS website is www.aamc.org/eras.

Candidates for fellowships at Hurley Medical Center have their own application processes. See each fellowship program's web page to find out how to apply.

Pediatric Psychology

Rehabilitation Psychology

Trauma Research Fellowship

Trauma Surgery Fellowship

How can I find the status of my application to a Hurley residency program?

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Hurley receives >10,000 applications to its residency programs. It is impossible to notify every applicant of his or her application status. However, applicants who are selected for an interview will receive an interview invitation.

Working at Hurley Medical Center

Can a resident receive a faculty appointment?

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Yes. The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine offers instructor resident appointments.

What is the work environment like at Hurley?

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At Hurley, you will be in an urban setting and a culturally diverse environment, exposed to a unique patient base, and working in a safety-net hospital with a commitment to academic and clinical excellence, as well as to community health. Hurley is a public institution that provides access to care for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. As a Hurley staff member, you will have opportunities to make a direct, positive difference in a patient’s or family’s life. The working atmosphere is collegial and professional: small enough that you will make friends for life and large enough that you will have excellent mentors.