OPTI West/Benefis Hospital Program
About This Program
As a community-based academic program in north-central Montana, the residency offers broad clinical exposure, strong subspecialty support, and hands-on learning within a regional tertiary care center that serves a large geographic area across rural Montana. Residents care for a diverse patient population that includes underserved rural communities, Native American populations, elderly patients, and individuals with complex chronic diseases who often face barriers to preventive and specialty care
Program Statistics
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Contact Information
Program Director
Michael A Sheffield, PhD, MD, MD
1101 26th St S
Primary Program Contact
Jordyn Allen, EdD, MHA
Benefis Health System
Locations
Application Information
Participates In
Doesn't Participate In
- San Francisco Match
- Military Match (i.e., Joint Service Graduate Medical Education Selection Board, Military Selection Board)
- SAU/AU Match (i.e., Urology Match)
- None
Open House
U.S. MD Applicants
IMG Applicants
DO Applicants
Total required letters of recommendation (excludes MSPE and Deans letter)
Required Letter Writers
- Letter(s) from someone within the specialty (e.g., faculty, attending)
Medical School Graduation Timeline
Graduation from medical school must have occurred within the past 5 year(s).
Gap Experience Requirement
PGY-1 applicants to this program with a gap of 1 year or more between medical school graduation and entry to residency must have the following experience occur during the gap: Clinical experience in the US
Resident / Fellow Characteristics
Three year averages. Medical school type does not include graduates of Canadian schools.
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Program Faculty
Faculty Distribution
Work Environment
NA = Not Applicable
NGO = Negotiable
OTH = Other
Visa Status
This program will consider an appropriately qualified applicant with the following visa or visa status. Contact the program for additional information.
Program Size
PGY-1 Position Type(s) Offered:
PGY-2 Positions Not Offered
Key Dates & Timelines
2026 - 2027
Program Starts Reviewing Applications
Application service release date
Interview Offer Dates
Oct 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Average PGY-1 Educational Environment
Employment Policies & Benefits
Educational Benefits
Tracks & Educational Features
Evaluations
Medical Insurance Coverage
- Major medical for residents
- Major medical for dependents
- Major medical for domestic partners
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
Salary Compensation
Year 1 through Year 3
Salary paid by a non-profit institution.
Vacation & Sick Days
Residents receive 20 Vacation Days annually to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
For more information, view the program's leave policy on their website.