Cook County Health and Hospitals System/Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Program

The Cook County Health and Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine's Public Health and Preventive Medicine Program, located at the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, is dedicated to training physicians in the principles and practices of population-based health care. This ACGME-accredited program offers a two-year residency focused on improving preventive and chronic care services, particularly in underserved populations. The program aims to equip residents with the skills necessary to address health disparities and enhance the organization and delivery of healthcare.

The educational mission is deeply anchored in the ethic of service and respect for human rights and diversity. The training environment is collaborative and expansive, integrating resources from Stroger Hospital, Northwestern Medicine, and various public health agencies throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Such partnerships foster a diverse and rich training experience for residents, which is essential in shaping public health leaders.

Educational Objectives

The educational goals of the program encompass several critical areas:

• To cultivate the behavioral and technical clinical skills necessary for delivering preventive medicine services, aiming at the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with chronic diseases.
• To plan, implement, and evaluate population-based initiatives across healthcare organizations and public health departments.
• To develop robust analytical skills in evidence-based public health research, emphasizing the interconnectedness of epidemiology, behavioral medicine, and prevention.
• To enhance communication abilities required for effective collaboration across multicultural and multidisciplinary settings.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the program must meet specific criteria to be considered:

• Possession of an MD or DO degree from an ACGME-accredited or dual-accredited institution.
• Completion of an ACGME-accredited residency program in a primary care specialty, such as internal medicine or family practice, is preferred. However, physicians with interests aligned with public health who have completed a clinical PGY-1 year and passed Step III of the USMLE by the application deadline are eligible for consideration.
• Successful documentation of completion of a clinical PGY-1 year in an ACGME-accredited program is required prior to starting the Preventive Medicine residency.
• The program participates in the ERAS system for residency applications, with applications opening in September.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum of the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Program is designed to integrate academic studies with practical experience over a 24-month period. The program accepts two residents annually, ensuring personalized attention and tailored learning experiences aligned with residents' individual interests and career aspirations.

The curriculum encompasses a wide array of clinical and project activities aimed at fostering skills in evidence-based, population-focused medicine. The overarching objective of the practicum is to apply learned skills in real-world settings to effectively address health disparities in various communities.

Visa Support

The program is committed to supporting qualified international medical graduates (IMGs) through various visa sponsorship options. It typically offers sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visa types. This allows international candidates to participate in the residency program while fulfilling the necessary requirements for residency training in the United States.

Competitiveness

The program is characterized as highly competitive, actively seeking out individuals who exhibit a strong commitment to public health and preventive medicine. It is friendly towards both DO candidates and international medical graduates, provided they meet the application criteria and demonstrate an earnest interest in improving healthcare for underserved populations.

Unique Aspects

One of the program's unique attributes is its dual affiliation with the Cook County Health System and Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. This collaborative framework enhances training by providing residents with access to a wealth of resources, faculty expertise, and opportunities for networking within the public health arena. Furthermore, residents are expected to complete an application process for the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Northwestern University during their residency.

The program also hosts virtual information sessions for potential applicants, inviting engagement and providing additional information about the residency experience and application process.