In Our Words

I have always felt called to primary care, and when deciding on a specialty during medical school, I knew that Family Medicine was what I wanted to pursue because of the opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients while caring for individuals and families across every stage of life. As I finalized my rank list, putting the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System Family Medicine Residency Program first felt like the right choice.

Throughout medical school, most of my clinical training took place within Jackson Health System. Many of the patients served by Jackson face challenging social determinants of health, making access to compassionate, comprehensive primary care essential. One of the reasons I chose medicine was to care for the sickest among us and those who need help the most. I knew this program would provide me with robust training and the opportunity to fulfill that mission while exposing me to an incredibly broad and diverse spectrum of pathology that would prepare me to care for any patient in the future.

A defining characteristic of this residency is its commitment to the underserved, a mission that deeply resonates with my own values. Equally compelling was the culture of the program. During my time as a medical student, I experienced firsthand the camaraderie and support shared among the residents and faculty. It was evident that this was a group of people who not only worked hard together but truly cared for one another, creating an environment where trainees could thrive both professionally and personally.

Miami has long captured my heart, and after nearly a decade in this city, it has become home (go Canes!). I can confidently say that choosing this residency was the right decision. Everything that initially drew me to the program has proven true. I am privileged to train within a world-class academic institution while practicing community medicine every day. Most importantly, I am surrounded by co-residents and faculty who genuinely care about one another and are united by a shared commitment to the underserved. It is an honor to be part of a program that embodies the values that inspired me to pursue Family Medicine in the first place.

When it came time to rank residency programs, UM/Jackson was my top choice for several reasons. First and foremost, I was drawn to the outstanding clinical training. As one of the busiest safety-net hospitals in the country, Jackson offers exposure to an incredible breadth of pathology, from common primary care conditions to rare and complex diseases. I knew that training here would challenge and expose me to a diverse patient population as well as prepare me to become a confident and well-rounded physician.

Another reason I chose this program was the opportunity to care for Miami’s large Haitian community. As someone who was born in Haiti and speaks Haitian Creole, it was important to me to train in a place where I could connect with patients through both language and culture. Some of the most meaningful moments of residency have been caring for Creole-speaking patients who felt more comfortable sharing their concerns because they could communicate directly in their native language. Being able to bridge that gap has been incredibly rewarding and has reinforced my commitment to serving underserved communities.

Finally, staying in South Florida was important to me because this is where I ultimately hope to build my career after residency. Training at UM/Jackson has allowed me to establish relationships with mentors, colleagues, and the community while caring for the diverse population that makes South Florida unique. Looking back, choosing this program has exceeded my expectations, and I truly believe it has provided me with the training, experience, and support needed to become the physician I aspire to be.

Residency training is an experience like no other and reflecting on my training at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami’s Family Medicine program I can say with confidence I made the right choice in choosing a residency program. I knew that I was looking to train at a county hospital where no patient would be turned away from care, and I could learn how to provide care I felt proud of to underserved communities. Working both inpatient and outpatient at Jackson absolutely fulfilled this goal and I was able to learn from and work alongside fantastic faculty who truly care about their patients’ and residents’ wellbeing. I also knew I wanted to be a part of a program in which I was able to build and maintain strong therapeutic relationships with patients over the course of my time in residency and found the continuity, variety, and acuity of patients in primary care clinic to be unparalleled. The list goes on and on, but other highlights of my training included great exposure to addiction medicine across settings ranging from low barrier to access syringe exchange clinics to emergency medicine and inpatient management and provided me with an excellent foundation I’m now building on in fellowship. I was also able to build my reproductive care and medical Spanish skillset and was able to do all the above while having the time outside of work to rest and enjoy the truly special place that is Miami. 

When it came time to decide where I wanted to complete residency, building my rank list felt incredibly daunting. There are so many programs with different strengths, and I found myself comparing every detail. When I thought about Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami Family Medicine, however, the decision felt much easier. I was drawn to the diversity of the patient population and the opportunity to care for patients across a range of backgrounds and insurance statuses, including a large publicly funded and Medicaid population as well as privately insured patients. I felt that learning to practice in a setting with real-world resource limitations, while also caring for patients with more resources, would prepare me to practice in almost any setting. Being in Miami also brings a unique patient population, including patients from across the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as visitors from around the world, which creates opportunities to encounter conditions and perspectives that are not seen everywhere.

My second-look visit really solidified my decision. The faculty and residents were welcoming and genuine, and I remember feeling that they were very open about both the strengths and challenges of the program. Most importantly, there was a strong sense of camaraderie. The way the residents supported each other and the way the faculty spoke about their residents made it clear that they genuinely cared about the people in the program.

I was also drawn to the breadth of training, particularly having our own inpatient service, and to seeing graduates pursue such different paths after residency, from fellowships to hospital medicine and everything in between. To me, that was tangible evidence that the program would give me a strong foundation while still allowing me to figure out what kind of physician I wanted to become. Ultimately, it was hard to find a reason not to choose Jackson. The combination of the patient population, clinical training, people, and the opportunities available after residency made it feel like a place where I could grow into the physician I wanted to be.

“As a University of Miami medical student, I was fortunate to work with the family medicine residents and faculty during my clerkship and again as a sub-intern on the family medicine inpatient team.

Ranking the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System Family Medicine Residency Program at the top of my list became an easy decision after witnessing the collaborative environment, the positive and fun culture, and the deep care everyone shows for their patients—in both the clinic and the hospital.

Jackson Memorial Hospital, as a large public safety-net hospital, serves a diverse patient population from South Florida, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. We see a wide range of pathology, from early- to late-stage disease. It’s been incredibly rewarding to give back to the community I grew up in and to serve patients who are often underserved.

Being part of an academic-based program has provided strong primary care training. In addition to learning from our outstanding family medicine faculty, we collaborate with more than 100 specialty and subspecialty programs to ensure our patients receive comprehensive care. We care for patients on our own family medicine service and are valued team members during rotations in pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and more.

On other services, I often hear, ‘Oh, you’re family medicine? Great—we have a patient who could really benefit from a primary care perspective.’ This has been a fantastic way to challenge myself with complex cases and customize my training to match my interests.

Outside of work, I get to enjoy everything Miami offers—beautiful weather, fun activities and amazing food. Just a few months into my intern year, I can confidently say I’m happy with my decision.”

“Interview season is already one of the most stressful times in medical school. On top of that, my class was the first to interview virtually. It was tough asking for advice, since no one had gone through that experience before.

Everyone kept saying, ‘Go with your gut,’ which sounded like something you could only feel in person. As the weeks went on, I started losing hope that I’d have that moment.

Then came my interview with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Health System. It was a Wednesday, sandwiched between two other interviews that week. I was burnt out. The night before, there was a virtual meet-and-greet. I expected the usual awkward call, but instead, I logged on to find residents laughing and listening to music. We played a game instead of talking program stats. I got to know them, and they got to know me. We still talked about the program—but in a way that was genuinely fun. I logged off and thought: ‘This is the one.’

Now, one month into residency and two months into living in Miami, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. The people are incredible, the city is full of culture, and the patients are extraordinary. I’m grateful to be learning at Jackson Memorial Hospital and honored to serve this amazing community.”

“As a rising fourth-year, I was torn between academic and community family medicine programs. During the interview process, I found myself gravitating toward large academic systems—for their resources, urban settings, diversity, and breadth of pathology. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Health System quickly became a top choice.

Even during orientation, I knew I’d made the right decision. The residents’ gratitude, joy and camaraderie were contagious, just as they had been during the interview meet-and-greet. When the outgoing third-years gave us our long white coats, I could see myself in them: wise, experienced, and ready for what’s next.

Jackson Memorial Hospital is one of the largest teaching hospitals in the U.S., drawing patients from the Caribbean, and Central and South America. As a family medicine intern, I’ve already felt like an integral part of every medical team I’ve joined. I’ve had the privilege of caring for patients and families who count on us for guidance, education, and hope.

The family medicine program here is well respected. We have outstanding faculty—Dr. Nery, who brings so much joy to teaching; Dr. Djahed, a walking encyclopedia; and Dr. Gervais, who every University of Miami student says is ‘the best to learn from—and she gives hugs!’ Our Jefferson Reaves, Sr. Clinic feels like home, and our campus is central, with Metrorail access and proximity to Miami Beach. I bike to work often and soak in the sun nearly every day.

I get to live and learn in a place filled with culture, food, and life. What more could you ask for from the oldest academic family medicine program in the country?”

“When choosing a residency, I wanted a program whose values aligned with mine. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System Family Medicine Residency Program does just that. As the first family medicine program in the U.S. and one based in one of the country’s most diverse cities, it provides unparalleled training for serving multicultural and underserved communities.

As a Haitian-born physician, my goal is to care for the growing Caribbean and Latino populations in Miami.

Training at Jackson gives me the tools and experience I need to do just that. I feel privileged to learn from nationally recognized experts at one of the largest teaching hospitals in the U.S.

Most of all, the support here is unmatched. Faculty, residents, and staff are fully invested in our success. It truly feels like family. Ranking this program number one is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

“I was always told to find a program with the ‘right vibe.’ I didn’t fully understand that until my interview at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Health System. The residents felt like longtime friends, and the faculty were welcoming and easy to talk to. I ranked the program number one—and after a few months here, I know I made the right choice.

Outside of medicine, our residents are fun, supportive, and incredibly interesting. As someone who moved from Canada without any local family, my co-interns quickly became my family. We hang out, relax by the pool, and enjoy each other’s company.

The faculty are just as supportive. They’re approachable and teach in ways that make complex material stick. As a resident on the sports medicine track, I’ve already participated in sideline coverage and clinic work.

Feel free to reach out to any of us—I’m sure you’ll hear nothing but great things.”

Dr. Rodricks is originally from Toronto, Canada. He enjoys staying active through swimming, basketball and volleyball. He is currently completing his 2024–25 Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System.

“People always say, ‘When you know, you know.’ I used to doubt that—how could anyone just know based on a single day or interview? But then I came to Jackson, and I understood. I loved it immediately—the people, the learning environment, the mission.

Choosing a family medicine program can feel overwhelming, especially with so many strong options. For me, it came down to people and purpose. I’m passionate about bridging public health and medicine to reduce health disparities, and Jackson offered the perfect platform.

Most of the patients we serve are underrepresented and underserved. The faculty and residents reflect that diversity, and it’s clear that inclusion is a core value here. Coming from Michigan, I was a little nervous about moving to Miami—but I haven’t looked back. Jackson Memorial Hospital is the supportive, nurturing environment I was searching for, and I’m grateful to be here.”

“When applying to residency, I focused on three must-haves: strong training, a supportive culture and the opportunity to serve underserved populations. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Health System exceeded all of those expectations—and more.

Our program offers so many unique attributes. As one of the largest teaching hospitals in the U.S.. Based in a vibrant, multicultural community, we’re exposed to an extraordinary range of pathologies and provider expertise. Yet, despite the hospital’s size, our family medicine department feels like a close-knit family. I sensed that on interview day, and I’ve felt it every day since.

Some of my favorite parts of our program include protected academic time, wellness days, opportunities to improve language skills, and the unparalleled diversity across patients, residents and faculty. I’m grateful to be part of this program—and to live in a city filled with amazing food, culture, and sunshine.”

“Choosing a residency is no small task, but selecting the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Health System was one of the easiest decisions of my medical career.

As a Miami native, I’ve long been involved in public service here, and continuing that work through residency felt like fulfilling a promise. I was fortunate to complete my clinical rotations at Jackson, which gave me firsthand experience with the patient population and their social challenges. The residents and attendings were welcoming and inclusive—both during rotations and on interview day.

Resident wellness is clearly a high priority here. And Miami, with its incredible population diversity, offers a rich learning environment. This residency has provided a healthy work-life balance, allowing me to continue my hobbies—like diving, spearfishing, drifting, and spending time outdoors with friends, year-round.”