About

Project Vida Health Center is located on the US/Mexico border and has been a pioneer in healthcare integration for decades, addressing primary care, oral health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder.  It engages and celebrates our bilingual and bi-cultural environment while focusing on the needs and possibilities of the underserved in a historically low-income area.

Welcome from Our Program Director

Our psychiatry residency program is distinguished by its community-based curriculum, which seamlessly integrates clinical training with a strong emphasis on community mental health. This unique curriculum underscores the significance of understanding the social determinants of mental health and equips residents with the necessary skills to deliver comprehensive and culturally sensitive care to diverse populations within our local community. By embracing this community-based approach, residents gain invaluable hands-on experience, actively collaborate with community organizations, and develop a profound understanding of the social, cultural, and environmental factors that impact mental health outcomes.

We take pride in offering an inclusive and dynamic learning experience that lays a solid foundation in psychiatric medicine while fostering a supportive environment for professional growth. Our program is dedicated to nurturing versatile psychiatrists who exhibit exceptional skills in patient care, research, advocacy, and community engagement. As a resident in our program, you will have the privilege of working alongside experienced faculty members and engaging in diverse clinical settings, including inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and specialty rotations. Our carefully designed curriculum exposes you to a wide range of psychiatric disorders and treatment modalities, ensuring a well-rounded training experience.

We are committed to providing you with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities necessary to thrive in your psychiatric career. By joining our residency program, you will embark on a transformative journey that will shape you into a well-rounded and compassionate psychiatrist capable of making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

Best regards,
Cynthia E Garza, JD, MD
Program Director/DIO

 

Curriculum

Benefits

  • Salary plus eligibility to participate in 403 B (tax-deferred plan)

  • Health Insurance for residents and eligible dependents

  • Disability Insurance

  • Professional Liability Insurance

  • Workers Compensation

  • Membership Dues

  • Vacation Leave

  • CME Days

  • Educational Resources

 

 

Rotation Sites

 

Maxwell Clinic

Project Vida Health Center

Project Vida Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center in El Paso, Texas, with 11 free-standing clinics throughout El Paso and Hudspeth Counties. These clinics and supporting programs serve about 15,000 unduplicated individuals annually with multiple clinical, educational and outreach services supported by federal, state, and local funding sources. After years of planning, in 2024 Project Vida Health Center initiated its Psychiatric Residency program – a community-based, community-serving residency program providing psychiatric care to children, adolescents, and adults at Project Vida Health Center’s clinics and at campus-based locations in six area school districts.

 

Mesilla Valley

Mesilla Valley Hospital

Located in beautiful Las Cruces, New Mexico, 40 miles from El Paso, Mesilla Valley Hospital offers comprehensive mental health services in a secure, respectful therapeutic environment. Since 1987, Mesilla Valley Hospital has been providing access to quality behavioral healthcare and dual-diagnosis addiction treatment to patients across the country, especially serving residents of New Mexico, West Texas, and Arizona.

VISIT WEBSITE

 

 

Advanced Neurology

Advanced Neurology Epilepsy & Sleep Center

The Advanced Neurology, Epilepsy & Sleep Center in El Paso, Texas, provides a comprehensive range of neurological testing and treatments for patients from the age of 12. Led by Dr. Aamr A. Herekar and his team, the practice helps patients with a variety of neurological disorders including back pain, neurology, multiple sclerosis, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.

VISIT WEBSITE

 

APPLY

We sincerely appreciate your interest in our Psychiatric Residency program. Please note that we participate in the MATCH and will only accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Our interview dates are scheduled from mid-October through early January each year. We look forward to receiving and reviewing your application. 

APPLICATION CRITERIA

Our application criteria delve into specific details to ensure a thorough evaluation of each candidate. We consider the following in-depth criteria during the application review process:

Graduation Timeline

While we give preference to applicants who have graduated from medical school within the past five years, we encourage all individuals, regardless of their years since graduation, to apply. We understand that valuable experiences and growth can occur beyond the preferred timeline.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Our assessment of applicants goes beyond academic qualifications. We carefully evaluate each candidate holistically, considering their unique qualifications, experiences, and potential contributions to the field of psychiatry.

Qualifications

We require official transcripts from the National Board of Medical Examiners or the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, demonstrating passing scores for relevant exams such as USMLE Steps 1 and 2 CK or COMLEX Levels 1, 2 CE. These transcripts should be provided as soon as scores are completed and available. Applicants who fail to provide transcripts by the time the program ranks will not be considered.

Personal Statement

A well-crafted personal statement that specifically addresses your interest in psychiatry and how our program aligns with your career goals is an essential component of the application. We value applicants who can clearly articulate their motivations, experiences, and aspirations in the field.

Letters of Recommendation

We require three letters of recommendation, including at least two from physicians. Additionally, we highly recommend having at least one letter from a psychiatry physician. These letters should provide insights into your clinical skills, professionalism, interpersonal abilities, and potential for success in psychiatry.

 

Additional Information for Applicants

Educational Requirements

Applicants must have graduated from a medical school in the United States or Canada, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or graduated from a College of Osteopathic Medicine in the United States, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA); or

If graduate is from a medical school outside of the United States, school must be recorded in the Texas Medical Board substantial equivalence list. A notarized copy of original medical school transcript in the original language with translation (8-½ inch by 11-inch certified and notarized photocopies), or 5th pathway certificate, plus meeting one of the following additional qualifications:

  • Holding currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment; or
  • Holding a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States licensing jurisdiction in which the ACGME-accredited program is located

Certified USMLE or NBOME examinations (for US and recent IMG Graduates, Step 1 and Step 2 CK or NBOME equivalent; Step 3 a plus and will be needed in order to continue on to PGY 2 or NBOME equivalent). For IMG’s who have graduated more than 2 to 5 years, Step 3 is required.

  • Passage of each part of the examination within 3 attempts and
  • Has passed examinations within 7 years.

Background Information

  • No arrests or prosecution pending against the applicant in any state, federal, or Canadian court for any offense that under the laws of this state is a felony, a misdemeanor that involves the practice of medicine, or a misdemeanor that involves a crime of moral turpitude.

  • No current investigation or prior restriction, cancellation, suspension, revocation, or other discipline of the applicant’s medical license, permit, or authority to practice medicine in the state of territory of the US, province of Canada, or a uniformed service of the US.

International Medical Graduates

Project Vida Health Center can provide visa sponsorship.

Translation of medical transcripts: An official translation is established when carried out by a government official, a certified translation agency, or an authorized representative from a reputable college or university. The translated content must be presented on the official letterhead of the relevant institution. The translator is obligated to confirm that the translated text accurately reflects the original meaning in English to the best of their comprehension, that they have a strong command of the language, and that they possess the requisite qualifications to translate original documents. This confirmation must be accompanied by the translator's signature and their relevant title. Translations undertaken by acquaintances or family members will not be deemed acceptable.

Fifth Pathway applicants must submit a copy of Fifth Pathway certificate showing the completion of the supervised clinical year and must have the director of Fifth Pathway program submit a letter outlining the methods used to evaluate and admit the applicant to the program.

Interview Information

Thank you for your interest in our program. We would like to stress that although applicants who have graduated from medical school within the past five years are given preference, we strongly encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications, regardless of their years since graduation. Our commitment lies in conducting comprehensive evaluations of each applicant, considering their qualifications, experiences, and potential to make valuable contributions to the field of psychiatry. We genuinely appreciate your consideration of these requirements, and we eagerly look forward to reviewing your application. 

 

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