Clinical Rotation Housing for UVMMC Residents and Fellows
Eligibility is limited to UVMMC Family Medicine Residents, and UVM Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellows during their rural rotations in Vermont.
Overview
The Vermont Area Health Education Centers (VT AHEC) Network sponsors and coordinates temporary, community-based housing for eligible UVMMC residents and fellows during their Vermont-based clinical rotations that are more than one hour from their main training campus and outside Chittenden County. Participation in this program is voluntary.
The overarching goal of VT AHEC is to provide statewide health workforce development programs that support an appropriate, current and future, healthcare workforce so that all Vermonters have access to health care. As a workforce development initiative, the aim for AHEC sponsored housing is to eliminate the need for temporary housing as a barrier to clinical rotation experiences outside Chittenden County and throughout Vermont. Exposure to different geographic areas, medical practice sites, and diverse populations around the state is an opportunity for fellows to explore Vermont and cultivate relationships--with an eye on future employment and establishing roots.
AHEC sponsored housing located in Caledonia, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington Counties is coordinated by Northern VT AHEC (802-748-2506). The Southern VT AHEC (802-885-2126) coordinates housing in Addison, Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties. AHEC housing is not available in Chittenden County.
AHEC offers eligible residents and fellows a place to stay at no-cost for the duration of their clinical rotation (typically 2-4 weeks). AHEC will work with individual residents and fellows to understand needs and provide options available through AHEC (e.g., hotel accommodations, short-term rental). Housing arrangements vary by location, time of year, and budget limitations. AHEC’s role in housing is intended as an immersion opportunity into the culture of a community. AHEC encourages residents and fellows to take advantage of this brief stay to learn about rural Vermont, the assets (including recreation and entertainment) and needs of the community, and any localized social determinants of health. Living in a community, even for a brief period, provides valuable insight contributing to a deeper understanding of the people, place, and health care system of a region. Through the overall clinical rotation experience, residents and fellows are well-prepared to reflect—What is it like to live, learn, and work in this community? What is it like to deliver/receive medical care in this community?
In exchange for mutually agreed upon temporary housing that is no-cost to the resident/fellow or the residency/fellowship program, AHEC requires participating residents/fellows to engage with AHEC during their rotation. Examples of this include participating in an AHEC workforce development program, and a networking meeting or social event with local stakeholders in health workforce development. The expectation is 1-2 meetings that factor the resident’s/fellow’s schedule and generally do not exceed 2 hours/meeting.
Requests for AHEC-supported housing are initiated by the residency/fellowship director/coordinator. AHEC housing is limited and cannot be guaranteed. Adequate lead time for coordination and planning is necessary. A request for housing must be made at least six (6) weeks prior to the start date of a rotation. AHEC makes every effort to match requests for housing with accommodations that meet identified needs. However, we cannot guarantee that all requests can be met, or that requests will be met to exact specification. A signed commitment agreement, stipulating that the resident/fellow agrees to abide by the housing program guidelines, is due to the regional AHEC two (2) weeks prior to the housing start date. This commitment agreement includes attestation that the resident/fellow commits to the housing arranged for the duration of the rotation or will reimburse AHEC for any expenses incurred and resulting from cancellation.