Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center Program

Program Overview

The Internal Medicine Residency at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a categorical three-year, ACGME-accredited program that admits 21 residents annually. Additionally, there is a one-year Preliminary Medicine Residency, admitting seven residents, and the ABIM Internal Medicine Research Pathway, which accepts two additional residents each year. The program focuses on training outstanding patient-centered internal medicine physicians, fostering a learning environment defined by caring, respect, curiosity, and innovation.

Training Sites

The residency provides diverse training opportunities at multiple sites including:

• Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Lebanon VA Medical Center
• Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital
• Various outpatient community sites

Curriculum Structure

The program employs a 4+2+2 scheduling model, alternating four weeks of inpatient service with two weeks of elective rotations and two weeks in ambulatory clinics. This structure allows residents to maintain continuity of care while attending to educational and clinical experiences. A protected academic half-day for both inpatient and outpatient rotations ensures dedicated time for learning.

Specialized Tracks

Residents have the flexibility to pursue individualized career goals through various training tracks, which include:

• Primary Care
• Hospitalist
• Longitudinal Research
• ABIM Subspecialty Research
• Specialized tracks in Health Systems Science, Clinician Educator, and Global Health & Health Inequities

Clinical Training Opportunities

Residents gain comprehensive clinical experiences at three different healthcare systems, enriching their education through exposure to urban, suburban, and rural patient populations. This variability ensures that trainees manage a wide range of complex medical cases.

Research Opportunities

The residency program encourages a robust research culture, offering residents numerous resources to engage in scholarly activities. The program sponsors a Longitudinal Research Track, allowing residents dedicated time for research activities under faculty mentorship. Moreover, the ABIM Research Pathway is available for those interested in an accelerated research-focused residency experience.

Wellness and Support

Recognizing the importance of wellness in residency training, the program incorporates comprehensive support systems for residents. This includes a wellness curriculum led by dedicated staff, annual retreats, and resources through the Doctors Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine.

Visa Sponsorship

The program sponsors J-1 visas for international medical graduates (IMGs), providing opportunities to international candidates provided they meet the residency requirements.

Application Requirements

Applicants are evaluated on multiple criteria including preparedness, aptitude, and academic credentials. The program prioritizes candidates with a minimum USMLE score of 200 but reviews the entire application holistically. A chair’s letter and two additional recommendation letters are required, with an alternative faculty letter accepted if a chair's letter is unavailable. Graduates from foreign medical schools must hold a valid ECFMG certification.

Competitiveness and Cohort

This residency program is notably competitive, with a fellowship match success rate exceeding 95%. The training environment promotes collaboration and collegiality among residents, faculty, and healthcare teams, essential for professional growth.

Resident Recognition

Residents frequently present their research at local, regional, and national conferences, showcasing the program's commitment to scholarship and academic excellence.