Programs/Family Medicine/Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine/Mercy Program
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Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine/Mercy Program

Family MedicineCommunity-basedIMG: HIGH
Fort Smith, AR(Smith, AR Metropolitan Area Metro)
30
Positions
#598
Specialty Rank
$55,133
PGY1 Salary
77.3%
IMG %
#598
Family Medicine Ranking
22nd Percentile
Top 78% of programs

Program Overview

Program Details

ACGME Code:
1200400001
NRMP Code:
2295120C0YOG
Program Type:
Community-based
Total Positions:
30
Interviews:
119

Contact Information

Christopher Thomas Fortson
Program Director

Admission Requirements

Years of Graduation Cutoff:
5 years
Visa Sponsorship:
H1B, J1

Training Details

Training Structure

Avg Hours/Week:
60
Max Hours on Duty:
24
Avg 24hr Off Duty:
2
Lecture/Conference Hours:
5/week
Night Float:
Yes
Vacation Days:
15
Sick Days:
5
Faculty Ratio:
0.70

Faculty & Teaching Environment

Total Physicians:
33
0
Part-Time Physicians:
24
Female Faculty:
33.3%
Outpatient Clinic Hours:
42%
Ambulatory Non-Hospital:
29%

Special Features & Unique Opportunities

New community-based program with engaged faculty in the scenic River Valley area. Affiliation with a state of the art medical school with full access to SIMS lab technology. Patient population area of over 200,000. Generous compensation package with competitive benefits.

Program Offers & Benefits

  • Free parking
  • On-call meal allowance
  • iPads, tablets, etc., or technology allowance

Educational Opportunities

  • Curriculum to develop health systems leadership skills (e.g., QI project leadership, community/organizational advocacy)
  • Economics of health care systems curriculum
  • Resident/fellow retreats
  • Off-campus electives
  • Hospice/home care experience

Research Opportunities

Research Rotation

Required

Duration

2 weeks

Salary Progression

$55,133
PGY-1
$56,787
PGY-2
$58,491
PGY-3
00

Benefits Package Details

Dental Coverage:Institution & Resident Share Cost
Disability Insurance:Available, Not Paid By Institution
Group Life Insurance:Fully Paid by Institution
Major Medical Coverage:Available, Not Paid By Institution
Inpatient Mental Health:Institution & Resident Share Cost
Outpatient Mental Health:Institution & Resident Share Cost
Major Medical (Residents):Institution & Resident Share Cost
Major Medical (Dependents):Available, Not Paid By Institution

Location & Lifestyle

Location Overview

City & State
Fort Smith, AR
Metropolitan Area
Smith, AR Metropolitan Area
Geographic Region
West South Central
0

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Index
86(US avg: 100)
Median Home Price
$290K
Median Monthly Rent
$1.2K/mo
Median Household Income
$80K
Rent as % of Resident Salary
27.0%(FREIDA)

Demographics & Community

Population
500K
Median Age
26 years
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
0.32999999999999996
Poverty Rate
21.0%
Unemployment Rate
7.0%

Climate & Weather

Summer
66°F
Winter
36°F
Sunny Days
220 days
Precipitation
58"
Humidity
51%

Local Cost of Goods & Services

Coffee
$3.87
Restaurant Meal
10.32
Gas (per gallon)
$3.18
Gym Membership
38

Purchasing Power AnalysisEnhanced Data

Nominal Salary
$55,133
Cost-Adjusted Salary
$64,108
Value Rating
Excellent
Cost data updated: 6/12/2025

Application Information

Program Details

ACGME Code:
1200400001
NRMP Code:
2295120C0YOG
Total Positions:
30
Interviews:
119
Program Type:
Community-based

Contact Information

Program Director:
Christopher Thomas Fortson
Program Website:
Visit Website
More Information:
More Information

Application Timeline

Application Period:
10/19/2026 - 1/18/2027
Interview Period:
10/26/2026 - 1/29/2027
Video Interviews:
Not Available

Application Requirements

Required Letters:
2
Moonlighting Allowed:
Yes

Examination Requirements

USMLE Requirements

Step 1 Required:
No
Step 2 Required:
No
Min Step 1 Score:
200

COMLEX Requirements

COMLEX Level 1:
Yes
COMLEX Level 2:
No

Program Start Dates & Match Information

Start Dates

Available Start Dates:
July
July Start Date:
July

Match Information

NRMP Main Match:
Yes
NRMP Codes:
2295120C0

Institution & Program Size Details

Institution Information

Institution:
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Primary Teaching Site:
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Contact Person:
Sarah Pendergraft

Program Size by Year

First Year Positions:
10
Positions by Year:
PGY-1:10
PGY-2:10
PGY-3:10

Program Policies & Additional Information

Smoking Policy:
Smoking Allowed
Salary Tax Status:
Yes
Paid Leave Days:
20
Unpaid Leave Days:
40

IMG/DO Friendliness

International Medical Graduates (IMG)

Years of Graduation Cutoff
5 years
Visa Sponsorship
J-1 through ECFMG, H-1B
IMG Percentage
77.3%
IMG Classification
HIGH

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

DO Percentage
22.7%
DO Classification
HIGH

Rankings & Reputation

Program Rankings

This section is currently being developed with comprehensive ranking data and analysis.

Resources & Tools

External Resources & Official Links

Professional Organizations & Medical Resources

Match Organizations

Medical Education

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