Burke Rehabilitation Hospital Program

The program offers a comprehensive three-year residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, in collaboration with Albert Einstein College of Medicine. This PM&R residency adheres to the standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), ensuring a rigorous educational experience that aligns with the academic goals of residents.

During the residency at Burke, residents gain exposure to a variety of specialized medical fields within PM&R, facilitated by the program's unique training structure. The hospital features a 150-bed free-standing facility, allowing for comprehensive rehabilitation experiences across various patient populations, including those recovering from cardiopulmonary issues, orthopedic challenges, and neurological impairments, among others 1.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is designed as a 12-month block program, featuring multiple instructional blocks covering essential topics such as anatomy, neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, sports medicine, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and geriatrics 3. Practical rotations occur in settings including:

• Neuro-rehabilitation
• Orthopedic and amputee care
• Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury

Residents are involved in managing both outpatient and inpatient cases, learning efficient rehabilitation practices that integrate care strategies across diverse patient groups.

Clinical Rotations

Residents engage in intensive clinical rotations across specialized units, including a dedicated trauma unit and clinics at Montefiore Medical Center 3. The program emphasizes practical skills through:

• Involvement in multidisciplinary team conferences
• Direct management of rehabilitation processes in both hospital settings and community outreach programs
• Opportunities to participate in sports coverage events like the New York City Marathon

Training includes extensive mentoring from experienced physiatrists, enabling residents to develop essential skills such as wound care, pain management, and advanced rehabilitation practices.

Research Opportunities

Research plays a crucial role in the residency. Residents are encouraged to engage in research that leads to presentations at national conferences and contributes to quality improvement projects within the hospital. While publication in a peer-reviewed journal is encouraged to enrich career prospects, it is not a mandatory requirement for graduation 3.

Application Process and Special Requirements

The program invites applications from medical students in their fourth year and international medical graduates who meet specific criteria. This includes ECFMG certification and successful completion of USMLE Steps 1 and 2 examinations by the time of application. All candidates must demonstrate strong English proficiency 2.

Visa Support

Burke Rehabilitation Hospital offers visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates. The types of visas available include J-1 and H-1B visas, which facilitate the residency process for international applicants.

Competitiveness

The application process is highly competitive, emphasizing the need for strong academic credentials, clinical experience, and letters of recommendation. The program is considered friendly towards DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) and international medical graduates, enhancing the diversity of its residency cohort 2.

Salary and Benefits

Residents receive a competitive salary with benefits that include health insurance, generous vacation time, and funding allowances for educational endeavors. Specifically, salaries increase with training level, starting from $74,450 for PGY-2 and incrementing up to $84,750 for chief residents 2. Additionally, residents benefit from limited onsite housing options, a $500 annual stipend for professional development, and support for presentations at national conferences.