Transitional Year Residency Program

We are thrilled you are interested in the Desert Regional Medical Center Transitional Year Residency Program. Our mission is to provide broad based foundational training for highly competent, successful, and resilient physicians who will acquire all the skills needed to transition into their respective advanced residencies, and ultimately become board-certified physicians that serve our community. Our broad based curriculum is designed to prepare our resident to be competitive applicants for advanced categorical residencies and have the opportunity to explore other interests including scholarships, education, advocacy, and leadership.

We are located in the City of Palm Springs, California within the Coachella Valley, part of the Inland Empire of Southern California. Our patient population, including underserved and vulnerable groups, provides real-world insights and challenges. Our commitment to the community instills a desire to serve the local community. Here, our residents learn to practice medicine with compassion.

Our faculty’s unwavering commitment to education, coupled with their role as mentors and guides, empowers residents to confidently navigate intricate medical scenarios. Their dedication enriches our well-rounded curriculum, ensuring that each resident emerges as a skilled and compassionate physician. With training at a Level 1 Trauma Center and modern outpatient facilities, our program provides and exceptional training opportunity, shaping future healthcare leaders who serve our community with integrity and excellence. 

Joel F. Trambley, MD, PhD

Certifications:
American Board of Internal Medicine
American Academy of HIV Medicine Specialist

Residency: Internal Medicine – University of California, San Francisco

Medical Degree – Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

Clinical Interests – Patients living with HIV or Hepatitis, members of the LGBTQ+ community, PrEP and PEP, and Geriatric Trauma patients.

Dr. Trambley is a on the Board of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality and is the Governance Committee Chair for International Pride Softball. He serves on numerous hospital and GME committees.

Core Faculty:

• Luis Vera, MD – Family Medicine
• Ryan Roten, DO – Emergency Medicine
• Srinivas Sirimalle, MD – Family Medicine

Curriculum Overview

The DRMC Transitional Year Residency Program is a one-year program that provides outstanding training for residents by combining excellent patient care and compassion and leadership skills. Accommodations will be made with the ACGME Program Requirements to meet the needs of a Transitional Year resident’s need for matched or desired PGY-2 programs.

• Inpatient Medicine – 2 months
• Outpatient Medicine (Adults and Pediatrics) – 2 months
• General Surgery – 1 month
• Emergency Medicine – 1 month
• Obstetrics – 1 month
• Critical Care(ICU) – 1 month
• Electives – 4 months. Research is encouraged, and away/audition rotations are allowed with permission and proper agreements

Didactics

Transitional Year residents participate in the Family Medicine Didactic ½ day, and have opportunities to join learning experiences with other specialties/programs as they rotate.

Application Information

The program offers twelve positions each year, participates in the NRMP, and accepts applications through ERAS.

Minimum Requirements

Transitional Year Residency applicants must have:

• Graduated from Medical School within the past 5 years (except in specific circumstances)
• Pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 OR COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2
• Two Letters of Recommendation in addition to and MSPE

Accepted residents must apply for a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) from the Medical Board of California. Please visit the Medical Board of California website for further information.

International Applicants

All applicants must possess a valid work permit/authorization prior to the date the rank order is submitted to the NRMP or prior to a position being offered. This can be met with US Citizenship or permanent residency. We are not able to sponsor H-1 or J-1 visas.

Resident Stipends (7/2025-6/2026)

PGY-1    $73,195.20

In addition, DRMC Residents receive annual education ($3,500) and meal ($4680) stipends and a $1,500 allowance for approved Conference/Scholarly expenses.

International Medical students are required to submit the following additional documentation:

• ECFMG Standard Certification with valid date
• Official score transcripts for examinations used to qualify for the ECFMG certificate
  

Contact

Selina GarciaProgram Coordinator, Transitional Year Residency
[email protected]
Phone: 760-424-7497

Mailing Address
Transitional Year Residency
555 E. Tachevah Drive, Suite 3E-101
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Transitional Year Residents