In a significant move to help address the growing primary care physician shortage in Texas, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and Paris Regional Health are now approved for a new Internal Medicine Residency Program.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved the program in Paris, Texas, and will begin recruiting residents to start in July. In total, the residency program will have up to 33 internal medicine positions led by program director Dr. Saji Pillai.
“This new partnership with Paris Regional Health is a perfect fit for TCOM’s mission related to graduate medical education and our focus on both primary care and rural health workforces,” said Dr. Lisa Nash, TCOM acting dean and senior associate dean for graduate medical education. “It has been a pleasure to work with Paris Regional Health leadership and medical staff, who have really been the drivers of development for this program. I look forward to our ongoing collaborations and the great benefits to come for these future physicians and community residents as we work together to address the primary care shortage across our state.”
The Internal Medicine Residency Program is located onsite at Paris Regional Hospital in Lamar County, which has been designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area by Texas Health and Human Services. According to a July 2021 analysis by Texas 2036, 249 of Texas’ 254 counties have areas with primary care physician shortages, with 228 counties experiencing a shortage across the entire county. The presence of this program at Paris Regional Hospital addresses critical needs in this region and beyond.
“We are confident that introducing this residency program will not only enhance the quality of health care services in Paris but also promote the well-being of our community,” said Steve Hyde, chief executive officer of Paris Regional Health. “We take great pride in initiating this endeavor and eagerly anticipate fostering a new wave of dedicated and exceptional health care professionals who will serve Paris and similar rural communities in Texas.”
Paris Regional Health, part of Lifepoint Health, has served Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma for over a century. As an Advanced Level III Trauma Facility, Paris Regional also holds accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and is certified in Advanced Primary Stroke Care. It ranks within the top 5% nationally for orthopedic outcomes. With a mission of making communities healthier, Paris Regional is positioned to advance the program’s vision of advancing healthcare service and educational opportunities, significantly impacting the lives of many.
“This program highlights our commitment to enhancing medical education and enhancing health care services for the community’s well-being,” said Pillai, the internal medicine residency program director. “TCOM and Paris Regional Health are united in their commitment to train highly qualified and empathetic doctors to serve rural communities.”
TCOM will serve as the academic affiliate and the sponsoring institution of the GME program. TCOM provides faculty appointments to qualified program faculty, access to world-class medical library resources, faculty development programs, support for faculty and resident scholarly activity (including IRB), access to resident wellness resources and accreditation compliance support.
About HSC
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is located in the heart of the Fort Worth Cultural District. HSC trains the health care providers, public health workforce and scientists of the future in an interprofessional ecosystem. In HSC’s six schools, students learn to work in teams and to develop an innovative mindset that prepares them for a rapidly changing health landscape. HSC Health, the clinical enterprise of the Health Science Center, provides patient-centered care to people across Tarrant County. HSC’s research enterprise provides a foundation to expand the frontiers of scientific discovery to improve health and well-being.
About Paris Regional Health
Paris Regional Health, located in Paris, Texas, is a 154-bed, general acute-care hospital that has been serving Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma for 112 years. With cutting-edge equipment, robust service lines and supporting a staff of 800+, PRH stands as the most complex hospital in at least a 70-mile radius of Paris. PRH is an Advanced Level III Trauma Facility, Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI, Advanced Primary Stroke Care certified, and our orthopedic outcomes are in the top 5% in the nation. We offer 24/7 on-call services across 9 specialties in addition to our Emergency Room. Paris Regional is committed to its mission of making communities healthier® by providing high-quality, accessible health care close to home.
