FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to rotate at your program in order to match into it? 

The short answer is, "No." However, if you are very interested in our program, we definitely recommend it. Rotating with us will allow you to witness the supportive, learning atmosphere our faculty have created, the family environment that exists here and the standard of excellence to which every member helps keeps the other accountable. We pride ourselves on our strong work ethic, dedication to patients and wonderful working relationships with each other. Plus, we are a lot of fun!

How many residents are in each class?  

Our program matches ten residents in each PGY class.

What are the inpatient rotations like? 

Our residents undergo extensive inpatient and intensive care training. Our graduates are comfortable practicing full-spectrum family medicine, including hospitalist medicine without requiring fellowship training.

What do the residents do for fun?  

Residents love hanging out with each other! Many people don’t realize that San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the US, and because of this, there is never a scarcity of things to do. Our hobbies are about as diverse as our residents. We enjoy get-togethers on the weekends to explore the restaurant, bar and music scene in the Stone Oak, Pearl Brewery or Southtown areas. San Antonio is a great city for foodies. Fredericksburg and the Hill Country are about an hour away and are home to the largest vineyards and wineries in the US outside of Napa. Cooking classes at the Culinary Institute of America are fun. Many parks in San Antonio provide close access to hiking, kayaking, running, or leisurely floating down the Comal or Guadalupe Rivers. Several residents have season passes to SeaWorld, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and the wonderful San Antonio Zoo. Several world class golf courses and museums throughout SA also keep us entertained.

What is the best thing about CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Medicine? 

The answer to this truly depends upon who you ask. Many feel the people really make this program what it is. Many medical students who work with us eventually become our residents because they are impressed by how intelligent and passionate our faculty and residents are. The program’s commitment to excellence is what helps foster our learning and working environment. Others love serving the San Antonio population which includes many Spanish-speaking patients and is as diverse as any other large city in the United States. Here, we practice family medicine the way it was meant to be practiced. Prospective residents love that we offer a full scope training program in a personable, supportive setting.

What is the intern year like?  

We are a completely unopposed, full scope program. Therefore, interns rotate with fellow residents or alone with attendings on all rotations. The intern year is inpatient-heavy, between hospital medicine, pediatric hospital medicine, night float, and obstetrics.

The learning opportunities are tremendous at our hospital as we see a wide variety of patients from all demographics-uninsured, underserved, refugees, better-insured, etc. Our ER is one of the top five busiest ERs among private hospitals in Texas. We have an “open” ICU, in which we remain the primary team for any of our patients that are admitted or transferred to the ICU. We receive excellent training from our upper level residents, attendings and our pulmonologist and intensive care attending, Dr Henderson. The inpatient months are spaced out well among lighter, outpatient elective rotations.

There are two OB months in which interns work with second year residents on Labor and Delivery. Our hospital regularly has 100+ deliveries each month, and we are fortunate that all of the private obstetricians allow us to work with them and help care for their patients while in the hospital. Interns deliver LOTS of babies and begin assisting on C-sections during the first week of the block. Depending on one’s interest, there is ample opportunity to gain experience as the primary surgeon on C-sections.

Interns are given a relatively small continuity clinic panel and usually have 1 half day of clinic weekly. The panel and the number of weekly clinics increase throughout the 3 years of training as the number of inpatient rotations each year decrease.

In what part of town do most residents live?  

Below are the most popular areas: 

Westover Hills right near the hospital. It’s an up and coming part of town with lots of growth and affordable living opportunities.

Downtown/Southtown - for the residents who enjoy urban living. There are tons of restaurants, cultural activities, and outdoor options for all types.

Medical Center - near the medical school and several hospitals. It is a short drive to our campus and has many living options. 

Check out the link to see which parts of town most residents currently live: Resident Homes Map 

Where is San Antonio in relation to other cities in Texas? 

San Antonio is about one hour south of Austin and nearly three hours west from Houston.  Both cities are reached on easy commutes via the interstate highways.  San Antonio is the last “big” city before entering South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.  South Padre Island is about four and a half hours south from San Antonio.  The beaches and fishing of Port Aransas are two and a half hours southeast from San Antonio.