Graduate and Post-Graduate Medical Education at the Block Island Health Center

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 at 4th students interested in pursuing family or emergency medicine or pediatrics 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 emergency medicine physician you will gain experience in selected procedures including EKGs and radiograph interpretation, venipuncture/IV placement, shoulder reduction/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 daily noontime conferences on relevant clinical topics. On average our students are involved in the care of at least 20 patients per day.

The rotation is available through the Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School at Brown University.

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Resident Physician Rotation

We welcome residents in emergency medicine or family medicine to complete a 2 or 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 on Block Island, 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, shoulder reduction/fracture management, laceration repair, and advanced airway management. Finally, under the direct supervision of a board certified emergency medicine attending you will manage 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 your prepare to become an attending physician.

Housing is provided for this rotation.

Student Nurse Practitioner Rotation

We welcome advanced nurse practitioner students to complete a 2 or 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 nurse practitioner student rotating on Block Island, 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, shoulder reduction/fracture management, laceration repair and airway management. Finally, under the direct supervision of a board certified Registered Nurse Practitioner of Family Medicine and a board certified Emergency Medicine attending you will manage 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 a 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.