The framework of the Area health Education Center – Pine Bluff Residency is one of strong beliefs and high expectations. Our goal is to provide an excellent training period so that the residents may expect to receive a broad-based curriculum in Family Practice. The concept of Family Practice and total care of the patient will be stressed in all areas. The strengths of the program lie in the realm of community support to including the hospital and physicians. The faculty will provide cognitive expertise and will serve as role model to develop the maturity of the resident in training.

The Program Director will function as an administrator, physician, role model and mentor. The ideas and expectations will be monitored so that deviation may be anticipated, recognized and consistency maintained.

By providing a fertile training ground, rich in experiences and educational opportunities, the residents will grow in personal and professional maturity. Beginning with the week of orientation, residents will be treated as individuals and will learn how to manage themselves and their families as their spouse or significant other will be incorporated into our program. Not withstanding the ambulatory medicine, specialty rotations, obstetrical care, etc, the basic belief of the individual will never be compromised.

At the completion of the three years of training, this program will produce a physician who will be well trained as a family physician. The physician will be able to enter into any contract, attain appropriate privileges, and provide care in virtually any setting (rural, urban or academic). The physician will have an understanding and appreciation of the family, family structure, family diseases and family practice. The physician will be equipped to enter into the medical community as an equal and will be appreciated as a community member. The graduates of the AHEC – Pine Bluff will have the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to maintain a positive attitude and achieve satisfaction in themselves, their practice and their daily lives. This understanding, maturity and education will allow the physician to approach life and the practice of medicine with high expectations, excitement and pleasure.