INTRODUCTION

The Department of Internal Medicine is highly committed to the development of academic physicians and physician-scientists. The Physician-Scientist Program is offered as an option for qualified candidates to receive training in the Internal Medicine Program for two years, followed by clinical and research training in a subspecialty fellowship program. The Department enthusiastically supports the career development of basic, clinical, and translational researchers.

All fellowship programs within the Department of Internal Medicine participate in this program and support it enthusiastically.

APPLICATION TO THE PROGRAM

Candidates for the Physician-Scientist Program are those who are completing their medical school experiences with an M.D. and an additional advanced degree (such as Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.).

Interested applicants should apply to the University of Michigan Internal Medicine Residency Program through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), using the program number for the categorical Internal Medicine Residency Program. Applicants are encouraged to submit application materials and letters of reference early in the application process.

After the ERAS application has been reviewed, the Residency Program will contact qualified individuals. Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews, along with a request for supplemental information.

Dedicated interview dates have been reserved for physician-scientist applicants ( December 14-16, 2008 for the current application cycle). Applicants will have the opportunity to interact with current faculty and residents from the core Internal Medicine Program. Additionally, applicants will have the opportunity to interact with division chiefs, fellowship directors, and current fellows in subspecialties of interest.

After the interview process, the Residency Program will maintain communication with each applicant to provide additional information and to answer questions.

THE MATCH

The Internal Medicine Residency Program strongly supports the match, and offers positions to physician-scientist applicants only through the match. Applicants should apply to the categorical program. Please note that there is not a separate ERAS program number for the physician-scientist track.

Acceptance into the Residency Program assures physician-scientist applicants of a position in the fellowship of choice for the PGY-3 year.

CLINICAL AND RESEARCH TRAINING

The Department of Internal Medicine is committed to the policies and procedures of the American Board of Internal Medicine's Research Pathway, assuring that individuals will be eligible for board certification in Internal Medicine and in a subspecialty during the training program.

For the PGY-1 and PGY-2 years, individuals participate fully in the categorical internal medicine program. Because of the shortened period of time spent in the core program, rotation scheduling will be individualized to assure appropriate training before entering the fellowship program.

Close integration is maintained with the University of Michigan Medical School's Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).

The duration of the program will be 6-7 years, depending on the individual's choice of subspecialty training program. Individuals are eligible for Internal Medicine Board Certification in August of the PGY-4 year, and for Subspecialty Board Certification in November of the PGY-6 or PGY-7 year.

During the final year of the program, faculty appointment as a Lecturer is anticipated, based on satisfactory clinical and research progress.

Significant financial support is available for research endeavors and faculty development, based on each individual's needs and goals.

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

The Department of Internal Medicine provides a vibrant, interactive environment for basic, clinical, and translational research. The Department of Internal Medicine ranked seventh in NIH support during 2007, with over $94 million in awards.

The Department of Internal Medicine, under the leadership of Interim Department Chair Robert Todd, M.D., Ph.D., has recruited many physician-scientists to join our faculty. Several innovative centers and organized researc h programs provide an innovative approach to inter-disciplinary research.

For additional information about divisional research activities, please review their web sites.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Individuals interested in the Physician-Scientist Program are encouraged to contact James M. Beck, M.D., Associate Program Director, for additional information.