Rotations
Overview
This is not a residency where you will feel stuck at the hospital all day long. About 2/3 of the rotations are clinical, and 1/3 are military courses and conferences. The exact sequence of rotations is slightly different for each resident, but when possible you will be placed in courses as a cohort.
Clinical rotations provide a backbone of medical practice that informs your decisions in the aeromedical realm. Rotations are primarily at Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP), Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI), Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, and the Veteran's Association (VA) Clinic in Pensacola. There are also a few rotations at branch clinics and an occupational medicine rotation at the Bremerton National Naval Shipyard in Washington State.
RAM residents are fortunate to have many sought-after military courses built into the curriculum. Some courses are held in Pensacola, with instructors traveling to the residents. But many such at Military Tropical Medicine (MTM) require residents to travel. Most residents will spend about 30 weeks on TAD travel over the 2 year residency.
The Aerospace Medical Association annual meeting is required during both years as a crucial part of resident education. The United States Naval Aeromedical Conference (USNAC) is required once.
Elective time is available for residents. Qualifying electives should improve the ability of residents to deliver aerospace medical care, primary care, or public health services. Although funding for electives is not unlimited, in the past, residents have participated in Bushmaster as staff, gotten extra clinical time with a desired specialist, participated in a toxicology short course, and worked with research partners. You can craft an additional engaging clinical experience to round out your education during this time.
Sample Rotation Schedule
Below is an example of a possible rotation schedule. Due courses being offered only certain weeks, travel, leave, and conflicts with other residents, your schedule will not actually look exactly like this. But you can get an idea of a possible progression over the two years.
