McLaren Health Care/Flint/MSU Program

McLaren Health Care/Flint/MSU Program in Internal Medicine offers a comprehensive residency experience designed to cultivate skilled and compassionate internal medicine physicians. This program emphasizes a mission to educate and inspire residents to develop into competent clinicians who embody ethical practice and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Accreditation and Training Environment
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and structured around a mission that integrates rigorous training in both general internal medicine and its subspecialties. This dual focus prepares residents for diverse career paths, whether as generalists, hospitalists, or subspecialists, while fostering quality educational opportunities through a recently introduced Cardiology fellowship.

Curriculum Overview
The residency's curriculum consists of a carefully arranged rotational structure that spans various specialties within internal medicine. Rotations are organized into a 13-block schedule of predominantly four-week experiences, supplemented by select two-week rotations in critical areas. Key rotations include:

• Inpatient Medicine - 4 blocks
• Night Float Medicine - 1 block
• Primary Care - 2 blocks
• C cardiology - 1 block
• Hematology-Oncology - 1 block
• Critical Care - 1 block
• Electives - tailored to residents' interests

This structured approach ensures exposure to essential aspects of internal medicine and supports a biopsychosocial methodology toward optimal patient care. Outpatient continuity clinics are also part of the training, where residents engage with patients one half-day a week, with opportunities to practice in community settings.

Scholarly Activities
Active participation in scholarly activities is part of the residency’s curriculum. Each resident is expected to engage in quality improvement, research projects, or case reports that culminate in presentations at scientific meetings. McLaren Flint's internal scholarly activity division, alongside ongoing support from the Corporate Medical Education Department, facilitates these initiatives, helping residents develop their scholarly pursuits from concept to publication.

Didactic Training
The program features regular didactic sessions tailored to enhance clinical knowledge and skills. Academic Half Days promote interactive learning, with Grand Rounds, noon conferences, and wellness activities structured to foster a collaborative learning environment. Sessions cover critical aspects of medical practice, including patient safety, competency development in outpatient procedures, and innovative training in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS).

In-House Call and Night Shift Structure
The residency operates without in-house call; rotations are designed to allow residents to focus on skill development during extended day shifts, particularly in critical care and inpatient settings. This system reduces burnout and promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Application Process
Joining the McLaren Flint Internal Medicine Residency requires submission of a completed ERAS application. Key application requirements include: passing scores on USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS or COMLEX equivalent, and three or more letters of recommendation. Unique to this program is the stipulation that all applicants must possess US citizenship or legal residency status, as the program does not offer visa sponsorship. This competitiveness is high, particularly with emphasis on academic credentials and communication skills in the selection process, making the program especially accommodating to US MD and DO graduates as well as IMGs with appropriate experience.

Resident Well-Being
The program places a significant focus on resident well-being by incorporating mental health resources and wellness activities. These initiatives not only provide residents protected time for self-care but also ensure they have the psychological support necessary to thrive in a demanding medical environment.

Visa Sponsorship
It is important to note that the residency program does not provide visa sponsorship for international medical graduates (IMGs). Hence, candidates with a green card or US citizenship are strongly preferred.

Placement and Fellowships
Approximately one-third of the program’s residents secure fellowships upon completion. Alumni have successfully matched at esteemed institutions, including George Washington University and Harvard Medical School, indicating the program's strong standing within the medical community.

In summary, the McLaren Health Care/Flint/MSU Program in Internal Medicine presents a robust training opportunity emphasizing comprehensive clinical skills development, scholarly activity engagement, and resident wellness, all critical components in preparing residents for successful careers in medicine.