Mass General Brigham/Brigham and Women's Hospital/Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School Program

The Harvard Combined Residency Program in Medicine and Pediatrics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) offers a robust training experience aimed at developing socially responsible and clinically excellent physician leaders. The Medicine-Pediatrics residency is structured to provide comprehensive training in both adult and pediatric medicine, framed within an environment that emphasizes personalized mentorship and research opportunity.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is designed to be flexible and comprehensive, catering to the evolving interests of its residents throughout their four-year training. Interns rotate between the departments of medicine and pediatrics approximately every three months, enhancing their exposure and integration into both categorical training programs. The overall structure allows early engagement in both adult and pediatric care, promoting socialization and collaboration with categorical counterparts from the start of internship.

Training Rotations

The training includes core rotations in general medicine and pediatrics, critical care, outpatient services, and elective experiences. The first-year intern experience includes intensive care and emergency room rotations, as well as foundational rotations across various specialties such as cardiology, oncology, and general pediatrics. Second-year residents engage in supervisory roles, leading inpatient teams while honing their clinical leadership skills. Junior and senior residents have special rotations focused on research and electives that align with their individual career interests.

Training Sites

Residents primarily train at the main institutions of BWH and BCH but also have opportunities to rotate through affiliated hospitals like Faulkner Hospital during medicine rotations and Boston Medical Center during pediatric rotations. These diverse clinical settings expose residents to a wide range of patient demographics and care models, enhancing their clinical expertise.

Research Opportunities and Mentorship

The program encourages resident participation in research throughout their training, including structured research blocks where residents can engage intensely in research activities, both domestically and internationally. There are dedicated mentors available for support at all stages of the research process. Notably, the program promotes self-designed rotations abroad, fostering a global health perspective among residents.

Unique Aspects of the Program

A defining feature of the BWH/BCH Medicine-Pediatrics residency is the robust community that fosters interdepartmental collaboration through combined educational experiences, social events, and cross-training between medicine and pediatrics faculties. The program sponsors educational retreats, academic half-days, and mentoring events that focus on career development in medicine-pediatrics.

Global Health Focus

Residents are encouraged to pursue experiences in global health, with opportunities to participate in overseas rotations addressing health equity and access challenges. The program supports applications to the Doris and Howard Hiatt Residency in Global Health Equity, enabling residents to engage in international projects that enhance their medical knowledge and social advocacy skills.

Wellness and Community Support

Recognizing the challenges of residency, the program has actively fostered a culture of wellness and community among residents. Initiatives like the Humanistic Curriculum and Resident Wellness Committee facilitate peer support and address mental health issues prevalent in medical training. Partners for community engagement further enhance the residency experience by promoting social justice and health equity as core elements of medical practice.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program provides comprehensive visa support for international medical graduates, sponsoring H-1B and J-1 visas, and evaluating applicants holistically, aiming to recruit residents from diverse backgrounds. The program is competitive but encourages applications from women and historically underrepresented minorities in medicine, ensuring all qualified applicants have the opportunity to join this dynamic training environment.

Application Requirements

When applying to the program, prospective residents must submit their ERAS application along with transcripts, letters of recommendation (including one from each categorical department), a personal statement, and USMLE scores. There are no strict cut-offs for exam scores, as the program emphasizes a holistic review process.