About Us
Graduate and Post-Graduate Medical Education at the Block Island Health Center
The Block Island Health Center welcomes students and residents to join our team throughout the year to gain valuable, hands-on experience in their medical education journey. Students enrolled in medical school, physician assistant or nurse practitioner programs, as well as emergency medicine and family medicine residents are encouraged to apply. Spaces are limited and fill quickly. Housing is available to eligible participants.
Interested in our education program?
Resident Physician Rotation
We welcome residents in emergency medicine or family medicine to complete a 4-week rotation in rural community medicine at the Block Island Health Center. As a critical member of the healthcare team, you will provide primary, urgent, and emergency care for the island’s residents and seasonal tourists alike. While the peak season spans June through September, your learning experience and contribution to the island community will be significant regardless of the season.
As a resident physician rotating at the Block Island Health Center, you will have the opportunity to further develop your clinical diagnostic skills through comprehensive history taking and physical examination when advanced diagnostic laboratory tests and imaging are not readily available. You will have the opportunity to improve upon your diagnostic and procedural skills including EKG and x-ray interpretation, reduction of dislocations and acute fracture management, laceration repair, and advanced airway management. You will have the opportunity to lead, under the direct supervision of an attending, the management of medical and trauma resuscitations, including the rapid triage, primary stabilization, and air/marine transfer of critical patients whose illnesses and injuries require specialty care beyond the capabilities of a community medical center. By the end of your rotation, you will have improved upon your resourcefulness and resiliency as a resident physician and gain confidence in your ability to care for patients of all ages with a wide range of ailments as you prepare to become an attending physician.
Housing is provided for this rotation.
Hear from students & residents about their experiences at the Block Island Health Center
Student Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Rotation
We welcome advanced nurse practitioner and physician assistant students to complete a 4-week rotation in rural community medicine at the Block Island Health Center. As a member of the healthcare team, you will provide primary, urgent, and emergency care for the island’s residents and seasonal tourists alike. While the peak season spans June through September, your learning experience and contribution to the island community will be significant regardless of the season.
As a student rotating at the Block Island Health Center, you will have the opportunity to further develop your clinical diagnostic skills through comprehensive history taking and physical examination when advanced diagnostic laboratory tests and imaging are not readily available. You will have the opportunity to improve upon your diagnostic and procedural skills including EKG and x-ray interpretation, venipuncture/IV placement, reduction of dislocations and acute fracture management, laceration repair and airway management. Finally, under the direct supervision of two board-certified Registered Nurse Practitioner of Family Medicine and a board-certified family medicine attending you will assist in medical and trauma resuscitations, including the rapid triage, primary stabilization, and air/marine transfer of critical patients whose illnesses and injuries require specialty care beyond the capabilities of a community medical center. The didactic portion of the rotation includes twice-weekly conferences on relevant clinical topics. By the end of your rotation, you will have improved upon your resourcefulness and resiliency as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner and gain confidence in your ability to care for patients of all ages with a wide range of ailments.
Housing is provided for this rotation.
Medical Student Rotation
We welcome 4th-year medical students from allopathic and osteopathic medical schools to complete a 4-week rotation in rural community medicine at the Block Island Health Center. This rotation is ideal for students interested in pursuing family or emergency medicine as a future career choice. In this rural setting, you will participate in primary, urgent, and emergency care for the island’s residents and seasonal tourists. While the peak season spans June through September, your learning experience and contribution to the island community will be significant regardless of the season.
As an integral member of the medical team, you will be responsible for taking histories & physical exams, developing differential diagnoses for unspecified complaints, and developing plans of care for BIHC patients. Additionally, under the direct supervision of a board-certified family medicine physician you will gain experience in selected procedures including EKGs and radiograph interpretation, venipuncture/IV placement, reduction of dislocations and acute fracture management, and laceration repair. You will participate in medical and trauma resuscitations, including the primary stabilization and transfer by helicopter/plane or boat of critically ill medical and trauma patients who require tertiary care on the mainland. The didactic portion of the rotation includes twice-weekly conferences on relevant clinical topics. On average our students are involved in the care of at least 20 patients per day.
The rotation is currently only available through the Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School at Brown University.
Housing is provided for this rotation.
Housing at the Block Island Health Center
Completed in 2024, the Block Island Health Center’s on-campus residence houses students and residents participating in our education program. The residence has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry, and a shared living and kitchen space. Located just outside of town and a ten-minute walk to the beach, students and residents enjoy the beauty of Block Island while getting hands-on experience in a rural health clinic.