Stony Brook Medicine/University Hospital Program

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at Stony Brook University aims to train highly skilled physiatrists through comprehensive clinical training, extensive procedural experience, and well-structured didactics. With a small class size of three residents per year and a one-to-one resident-to-attending ratio on most rotations, the program emphasizes individualized attention from faculty, fostering a close-knit and supportive learning environment.

Clinical Training and Rotations

The residency program comprises rotations at three primary clinical sites: Stony Brook University Hospital, St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center located in Port Jefferson, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Northport. Residents gain significant experience across these sites, facilitating exposure to a diverse patient population.

At St. Charles Hospital, the residents are involved in inpatient rehabilitation, where they focus on orthopedic and neurologic rehabilitation for both adults and children. They also experience outpatient rehabilitation medicine through programs such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center and the ThinkSMART! Concussion Management Center. The VAMC offers predominantly outpatient experience, including general physiatry, equipment clinics, and pain management.

Curriculum Structure

The residency follows a rigorous schedule structured to comply with ACGME guidelines while allowing for flexibility. The curriculum is designed over three years, with bi-weekly conferences that cover essential clinical topics as well as specialized rehabilitation training. Each academic year includes modules that span anatomy, spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal medicine, and pain management, among others, repeated over the training duration.

The program includes elective rotations in the third and fourth years, enabling residents to explore areas of interest and tailor their educational experience to their career aspirations.

Research Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to engage in scholarly activities, which have included diverse research topics ranging from the implications of virtual reality in rehabilitation to studies on the efficacy of acupuncture in chronic pain management. The program also promotes presenting research at national and regional conferences, with a stipend provided for those who present.

Evaluation Process

Evaluation of residents is conducted through several methods throughout their training. Residents receive 360-degree feedback involving supervising faculty, peers, and patients. This evaluation process includes mid and end-of-rotation assessments, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and written and oral exams that pertain to both clinical practice and ongoing academic endeavors.

Salary and Benefits

As of the 2024-2025 period, residents receive competitive salaries, with PGY-2 at $79,085, PGY-3 at $83,412, and PGY-4 at $87,741. Additionally, residents benefit from four weeks of vacation per year, as well as coverage for health insurance.

Visa Sponsorship

The program is able to sponsor J-1 visas for international medical graduates. However, it does not sponsor H-1B or other types of visas for graduate medical education training, ensuring that only eligible candidates hold employment authorization identification or valid J-1 status.

Application Requirements

As an advanced program, applicants must already have completed an ACGME or AOA accredited internship year. Applications are accepted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Candidates need to submit their USMLE or COMLEX scores, references, and medical school transcripts along with a curriculum vitae. Importantly, candidates who have graduated from medical school over two years ago should demonstrate meaningful continuing medical education.

Fulfilling specific eligibility criteria is critical, as candidates must be either U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or possess an employment authorization identification. The program's policy on USMLE attempts indicates that residency appointment requires successful completion of each USMLE portion overall, with a maximum of two attempts per part noted.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at Stony Brook Medicine stands out through its comprehensive clinical training, procedural experience, and individualized attention provided to residents. The supportive environment encourages optimal resident development in rehabilitation medicine, with faculty readily available for mentorship.