Geisinger Health System Program

With Geisinger's Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency, the program prepares residents to deliver care to patients across all age groups, from birth to adulthood. The program has been dedicated to developing physician leaders for over three decades, emphasizing the importance of dual board certification in enhancing the comprehensive skill set of med-peds trained physicians. The curriculum is designed to provide insights into various essential domains such as quality improvement, leadership, healthcare systems, and population health, facilitating residents' immersion into innovative healthcare delivery approaches 1.

The program is unique in its focus on complex care clinics that bridge pediatric and adult healthcare. These clinics have made significant strides in serving patients with complex medical conditions, directing efforts to improve patient experience, enhance health outcomes in underserved populations, and decrease healthcare utilization metrics. Their innovative clinics have already evaluated over 750 patients since inception, significantly reducing the need for emergency care and unnecessary hospitalizations 1.

Curriculum Overview

The med-peds curriculum lays out an integrated structure, segmenting the educational journey into a series of rotations that span over four years. Residents will engage in three- to four-month blocks, allowing comprehensive exposure to both internal medicine and pediatrics. The internship period encompasses foundational skills and subspecialty knowledge, with subsequent years focusing on expanding flexibility and knowledge in various subspecialty areas 1.

Core and Elective Rotations

During the PGY1 year, residents gain exposure to fundamental skills, while PGY2 through PGY4 years involve in-depth subspecialty training. Electives are also available, offering opportunities in areas such as global health, addiction medicine, and other surgical subspecialties. Unique to the curriculum is the longitudinal med-peds ambulatory rotation that continues every academic year, allowing residents to enhance their practical experience and patient-centered quality initiatives 1.

Didactic and Simulation Training

Residents engage in a variety of didactic sessions that cover clinical medicine topics, ensuring educational environments adapt to unique learning needs. Weekly meetings under 'Med-Peds Mondays' provide a blend of lectures, journal clubs, and wellness activities, all centered around what it means to be a med-peds physician today 1.

Moreover, simulation training supplements the educational experience, with high-fidelity sessions conducted regularly. Residents practice crucial procedural skills using task trainers and participate in interprofessional team training through pediatric and adult mock codes, bolstering their readiness for real-life situations 1.

Research and Quality Improvement Initiatives

In alignment with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements, the program places strong emphasis on quality improvement projects designed to enhance patient safety and care. Residents are actively involved in multiple research initiatives to further enhance their educational and professional development 1.

Application Process and Competitiveness

The application process for the program is via ERAS for the National Resident Matching Program, requiring various documents such as a CV, letters of recommendation, and MSPE. The program is highly competitive, welcoming both MD and DO graduates, as well as international medical graduates, thereby creating a diverse training environment 2. Moreover, the program sponsors H-1B and J-1 visas, accommodating candidates from outside the United States effectively 2.

Resident Life and Mentorship

Residents experience a rich mentorship culture, assigning each resident a mentor tailored to their specific interests. This system not only aids in individual professional development but creates an inspiring collaborative environment where senior residents guide newcomers 3. Life in Danville offers a blend of cultural activities with the advantage of a lower cost of living, facilitating a healthy work-life balance for all residents 3.

Unique Training Opportunities

Aside from core medical training, Geisinger allows med-peds residents to explore global health avenues through international electives, broadening their perspectives on healthcare delivery systems around the world 1. Additionally, innovative health system education prepares residents for future roles in healthcare leadership and administration, cultivating the necessary skills to thrive in a complex healthcare environment 1.