"An Act relating to residency and internship permits issued by the State Medical Board; and providing for an effective date."

Current Alaska statutes require that all residents participating in the WAMI/Family Practice Residency program receive a permit by the State Medical Board for a period not to exceed 18 months after the date of issue. Renewal permits to continue residency or internship are also issued by the Board, for a period not to exceed 18 months after the date of renewal.

Given that the WAMI/Family Practice Residency program is a three-year program, all residents are required to get a renewal. The reapplication process has been fraught with logistical problems, to the point that residents have needed to interrupt their training on multiple occasions because the renewed permits were not issued efficiently. This legislation would extend residency and internship permits issued by the State Medical Board from 18 months to 36 months.

Dr. Harold Johnston, head of the Family Practice Residency, discussed this issue with members of the State Medical Board, and as a result, the Board unanimously passed a resolution supporting this change at their recent January meeting. Dr. Alex Malter, President of the Alaska State Medical Association, also has indicated that his organization is not opposed to this change.

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