Morehouse School of Medicine Program

Morehouse School of Medicine offers a comprehensive Internal Medicine Residency Program designed to cultivate a diverse and culturally competent group of residents. The program emphasizes the pursuit of personal growth, clinical excellence, and the delivery of quality healthcare to underserved populations while addressing health disparities in our nation. Residents who graduate from this program are well-equipped to continue onto fellowships, engage in hospital medicine, or practice international medicine, focusing on a mission driven by the highest human values and quality in healthcare delivery.

Training Sites

The residency is affiliated with notable training facilities in and around Atlanta, such as Grady Memorial Hospital and the Atlanta VA Medical Center. These institutions provide residents with experience in a variety of clinical settings, fostering an environment conducive to learning and professional development. The diversity of these training sites contributes significantly to the comprehensive nature of the training experience offered within the program 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum adheres to a structured rotation system designed to ensure robust exposure to both inpatient and outpatient medicine. The inpatient rotations take place at the aforementioned hospitals, while the continuity clinic is hosted at Grady Hospital. Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY-1) residents focus on foundational skills, with a typical schedule encompassing extensive wards and ICU rotations, alongside ambulatory clinic experiences every fifth week.

Starting July 2020, the program adopted a novel X + Y rotation structure which separates inpatient rotations from outpatient experiences. This model enhances the overall focus of residents on each aspect of their training and promotes better well-being by preventing burnout associated with juggling both responsibilities simultaneously 3.

Elective rotations available to residents traverse various specialties, including cardiology, pulmonology, gastrointestinal medicine, and emergency medicine, further allowing residents to tailor their education according to their interests and career trajectories. The program also emphasizes research, urging residents to engage in scholarly activities culminating in presentations at local, regional, or national conferences 6.

Educational Conferences

The program features a robust plan for academic enrichment through its educational conferences. These include a designated academic half-day, case conferences, Grand Rounds, and board reviews aimed at preparing residents for their board exams. Topics for presentations often stem from a diverse spectrum of medical subspecialties, and all conferences allow for interaction with faculty and guest lecturers, broadening clinical understanding and fostering academic dialogue 5.

Application and Admission Requirements

The program outlines specific prerequisites for applicants seeking entrance into the Internal Medicine Residency. Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) by a designated deadline. It is imperative that candidates have satisfactorily passed USMLE Steps I and II prior to applying, with a preference towards first-attempt success. Additionally, prospective residents must also hold a letter from the dean of their medical school, and international medical graduates are required to possess ECFMG certification. The program explicitly accepts only J-1 visas for international candidates 9.

There is also an emphasis on hands-on experience in the U.S. clinical setting, with a recommendation that non-LCME graduates have at least six months of such experience if they have been out of medical school for over two years. The program is dedicated to fostering a competitive yet inclusive environment, welcoming graduates from Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) and international medical degree backgrounds, making it an attractive option for a wide array of applicants 8.

Salary and Benefits

Residents in the program can expect competitive salaries that scale with experience, starting with an annual salary of approximately $66,530 for PGY-1, increasing with subsequent years. The residency also provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, lab coats, scrubs, and parking allowances. Additional benefits reflect the program's commitment to supporting its residents 7.

Through its commitment to high-quality training, community service, and emphasis on research, the Morehouse School of Medicine's Internal Medicine Residency Program not only prepares its residents for diverse career paths but also strives to instill in them a deep sense of commitment to improving healthcare access and quality for underserved populations.