Baptist Health Program

Brookwood Baptist Health's Internal Medicine Residency Program prepares residents for the practice of Internal Medicine and its subspecialties, having been established in 1972. This program aims to cultivate compassionate, clinically, and culturally competent physicians who are ready to serve and demonstrate leadership in healthcare. The overarching mission is to develop diverse medical professionals who are equipped to advocate for health and wellness within their communities and institutions, fostering both professionalism and personal wellness in the practice of medicine.

The program offers two primary training options: a three-year categorical program, which leads to eligibility for the American Board of Internal Medicine's certifying examination, and a preliminary program intended for those seeking further specialized training. The focus of both programs is to provide comprehensive training in internal medicine, ensuring that participants are well-prepared for independent practice or additional specialty training. The program's ethos emphasizes excellence in patient care across a wide range of medical conditions while cultivating an academic mentality towards clinical practice and research appreciation 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

Residents in the program are integrated into a diverse patient population that stems from faculty private practices, outlying referrals, the Emergency Department, and the housestaff clinic. Inpatient responsibilities are shared between Princeton Baptist Medical Center and Grandview Medical Center. The program mandates rotations on several subspecialty medicine services, in addition to general internal medicine services, and allows elective months in particular areas of interest.

Experiential learning is further augmented via critical care exposure across all inpatient services, with residents managing their patients in intensive care units. Critical care training is bolstered by a dedicated rotation in this area. Ambulatory training is a key emphasis, starting with a weekly continuity care clinic beginning in the first year and increasing to twice weekly in the second year. Additionally, traditional inpatient rotations feature ambulatory care components, contributing to a well-rounded clinical experience.

Educational Environment

The educational approach within the program is augmented by a rich series of lectures based on a core curriculum pertinent to all internists. Regular morning reports, journal clubs, and non-clinical conferences address various aspects of medical education including ethics and informatics, thus providing a comprehensive educational environment.

Access to excellent medical libraries, alongside computer facilities for literature searches, is provided at both hospital campuses. A simulation lab equipped with mannequins is available for residents to practice essential procedural skills, including but not limited to intubation and central venous line placement 1.

Faculty

The faculty members within the Brookwood Baptist Health Internal Medicine Residency Program are distinguished clinicians and educators with extensive backgrounds in both academic medicine and private practice. A core group of faculty members is dedicated full-time to the program, complemented by a roster of enthusiastic volunteer faculty. Chief Medical Residents (CMRs) play a significant role in the educational structure, contributing through didactic lectures targeted at medical students and coordinating topics for morning reports. Opportunities are available for CMRs to engage closely with both faculty and patient care activities.

Application Information and Visa Support

Applications to the program must be submitted electronically through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). A crucial aspect of consideration for international applicants is that Brookwood Baptist Health only accepts J-1 Visa applications, which are sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The program generally does not sponsor H-1B Visa applications.

To maintain eligibility, USMLE or COMLEX II must be completed before entering the residency program. If these are not completed, Step II (including the Clinical Skills Examination) needs to be done within the first six months of residency. By the end of the first year, residents must register for USMLE or COMLEX III, which also must be completed before renewal for the second year of training.1