Welcome to the University of Minnesota/St. Cloud Hospital Family Medicine Residency

Joe Blonski, MD Program Director

When I first arrived in St. Cloud in late 1995, our original class of residents was still six months from starting. Our four faculty physicians and one psychologist were putting the finishing touches on the curriculum. St. Cloud Hospital averaged a daily census of around 185 patients, and there were around 200 physicians practicing on the active medical staff. Fourteen years later I often reflect on what has transpired. Certainly the hospital has grown. There is physical growth with a $200 million expansion in the works. There is patient and physician growth with a daily census of over 300 and a medical staff of approximately 400 physicians. There is residency growth as we begin expansion to a 5-5-5 program. There is Osteopathic growth as we have become dually accredited.

Our purpose as a residency ( "Perpetuating Family Medicine; inspiring learners to be leaders in caring for patients and families throughout the journey of life.") serves as a guiding principle for how we carry out our daily work.

As we head into the 2009-2010 academic year, our residency will have graduated 41 well-trained family physicians. Eighty-five percent of our graduates stay in the Midwest, seventy-eight percent in Minnesota, forty-six percent practice in towns of less than 20,000, and fifty-nine percent practice obstetrics upon graduation. We are a dually accredited residency having recently received our second straight five-year accreditation from the ACGME and our initial accreditation with the AOA. Our faculty has grown to seven physicians and one psychologist. They bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience from their “former lives.” However, what I appreciate most about the faculty is that their passion for teaching is unparalleled. Training the future of family medicine is what has brought us together.

St. Cloud is a great place to train, practice and live. Enjoy your visit to the website. If you are ever in St. Cloud, feel free to stop in and visit, as we would love to show you around the residency.

Joe Blonski, MD
Program Director