Jason Hrdina, a clinical assistant professor and director of clinical education in the Department of Allied Health Sciences’ Physician Assistant Studies program, will lead a new advance practice provider (APP) residency program, a joint initiative between the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Hospitals. Hrdina will serve as program director.
The 18-month residency program, housed in the School’s Department of Emergency Medicine, will launch its first cohort of students in June. It will be the first dual clinical and didactic opportunity at the University for PAs and nurse practitioners to seek additional training and be better equipped to practice high-quality emergency care in rural, urban, and underserved populations.
“Because of how the world of health care is changing and how providers are being utilized, having that more clinical and didactic experience makes you a more well-rounded provider,” Hrdina said.
Hrdina, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, said the residency program will bridge a knowledge gap. The residency program is modeled after the three-year emergency medicine physician residency.
“It’s going to bring more opportunities for students after they graduate,” Hrdina said. “This knowledge base will allow for our residents to become invaluable to underserved and rural areas. They’ll be a valuable asset to hospital administrators.”
Following the residency program, graduates will be eligible to obtain a certificate in emergency medicine and be able to pursue scholarly work or teaching opportunities.
Graduates of the program will be skilled in caring for critically ill patients and to be leaders in their profession. Applications are open until March 1, 2020.
Additional residency leadership includes Medical Director James L. Larson, MD, and Associate Program Director Benjamin Linthicum, DNP, NP-C, CEN. Jane Brice, MD, MPH, serves as chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine.