Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/NYC Health and Hospitals (Elmhurst) Program

Elmhurst Internal Medicine Residency Program Overview

The Internal Medicine Residency at Elmhurst Hospital Center is part of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and NYC Health + Hospitals, which constitutes the largest public health care system in the United States. This program serves a culturally and clinically diverse community in Queens, New York, where a high number of immigrants seek medical care. Elmhurst Hospital provides essential healthcare services to individuals who have often lacked adequate medical attention prior to arrival. The program's mission resonates with its residents, who appreciate the vital role they play in addressing community health needs.

Residents engage with a challenging and rich clinical environment that equips them with the skills necessary for effective patient care. They interact with seasoned faculty who emphasize the importance of both autonomous decision-making and guided supervision, ensuring the residents receive real-time feedback essential for their development as physicians. Faculty members dedicated to educating residents foster a culture of enthusiasm, engagement, and intellectual curiosity within the program.

Training Environment and Curriculum

The training at Elmhurst is structured around a 6+2 rotation schedule, comprising 6 weeks of inpatient experiences followed by 2 weeks of ambulatory experiences. This design facilitates a deeper understanding of both inpatient and outpatient care settings, allowing residents to develop into comprehensive clinicians.

The inpatient rotations cover various units, including medical floors, medical step-down units, the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), and the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU). Residents benefit from a robust Night Medicine rotation and 24-hour in-house attending support, promoting a balanced approach to supervision and self-learning. Didactic instruction is emphasized through small-group interactive sessions and protected time for education.

Ambulatory Experience

The ambulatory training features a continuity clinic within a patient-centered medical home setting. Residents collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to assist patients in meeting their health objectives. The curriculum integrates essential outpatient topics along with specialized training in areas such as Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), quality improvement, and social determinants of health.

Additionally, online modules complement learning experiences, and residents have access to protected academic half-days to enhance their didactic training. Rotating into Board Review Sessions, particularly during the second and third years, further prepares residents for board examinations.

Resident Life and Housing

Living in New York City as a resident opens up various opportunities for leisure and cultural experiences. Elmhurst Hospital is conveniently located near several subway lines, allowing quick access to diverse neighborhoods filled with various cultural and culinary options. Residents often choose to live nearby, or in areas like Long Island City, Manhattan, or Brooklyn. The program fosters community among residents, encouraging social interactions both within and outside the hospital setting.

Salary and Benefits

The residency at Elmhurst offers a competitive salary and benefits package, as residents are represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR Union). Key features include:

• Four weeks of paid vacation and sick leave.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• A meal stipend of $3,800 per year, along with other financial benefits like bonuses for clinical shifts during holidays and for covering colleagues' shifts.
• Support for professional development through educational reimbursements for board preparations, conferences, and other academic expenditures.

Visa Sponsorship and Application Requirements

The program sponsors J1 and H1B visas for eligible residents, supporting international applicants. The application process requires candidates to submit several documents including the ERAS Common Application Form and medical school transcripts, among others. Notably, there is no minimum score requirement on the USMLE or COMLEX, but only candidates with passing scores on their first attempt are considered. Preference is given to applicants who have relevant clinical experience within the last two years and who have graduated from medical school within the last five years. ECFMG certification is encouraged by the time of interview.

Competitiveness and Selection Process

The selection for interviews is competitive, with a vast number of applications received each year. The residency program typically fills positions through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Candidates are notified of their interview status via email, and due to the high volume of applications, not all applicants will receive notification if they are not invited to interview.

Unique Features of the Program

The program offers several unique features, including:

• A strong mentorship culture that begins before residency and extends beyond graduation.
• A dedicated research consortium providing ample support for residents engaged in research.
• Experience in a Level I Trauma Center, which enriches clinical exposure.
• Access to world-class faculty and diverse clinical cases.