Tower Health Program

The Internal Medicine Residency Training Program at Tower Health provides comprehensive education in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The program prepares residents for a wide range of future training opportunities, emphasizing competency in decision-making, doctor-patient relationships, and clinical inquiry.

One notable feature of the program is the availability of fellowships, which are designed to enhance the educational experience. There are six new in-house fellowship options available, with a total of 17 slots in various specialties: Cardiology (six positions), Hematology/Oncology (two positions), Gastroenterology (two positions), Endocrinology (two positions), Infectious Disease (two positions), and Pulmonary Critical Care (four positions) 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum is structured with an x+y schedule, integrating four weeks of inpatient rotations followed by two weeks of outpatient care. This format allows residents to experience continuous patient care without interruption 2. Additionally, the residency program prioritizes self-directed learning through a portfolio system that emphasizes personal development and practice improvement throughout training.

Training Sites

The program operates primarily at Reading Hospital, which is noted for having the busiest emergency department in Pennsylvania. This offers residents exposure to a diverse patient population and a variety of clinical conditions, ensuring a rich learning environment. The program focuses on delivering care to underserved populations, including support through outreach programs like Street Medicine and free clinics 1. Residents are actively involved in initiatives aimed at addressing health disparities.

Osteopathic Recognition

A significant aspect of the Tower Health Internal Medicine Residency Program is its Osteopathic Recognition from the ACGME. It embraces osteopathic principles, allowing designated Osteopathic Residents to maintain and further develop their skills in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) while caring for patients 4. This unique curriculum reinforces the application of osteopathic philosophy alongside traditional internal medicine training.

Research and Scholarly Activity

All residents are encouraged to engage in research, supported by faculty mentors and a dedicated Research Division. The program emphasizes the development of clinical inquiry skills essential for residency training and future practice. Residents can choose their research topics, allowing for tailored learning experiences 7.

Application Competitiveness and Requirements

The program is known for being highly competitive, welcoming both allopathic and osteopathic graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs). Specific application requirements include USMLE scores of at least 220 for Steps 1 and 2 CK, with passing on the first attempt. The program does not have a graduation year cutoff, nor does it consider applicants with multiple failed attempts on the Step examinations 8. The program supports J-1 and H-1B visa sponsorships for international graduates, thus facilitating a diverse residency cohort 9.

Rotation Structure and Program Tracks

Residents can select from several program tracks, including a traditional track that prepares them for careers as hospitalists or in fellowship training, a primary care track that emphasizes outpatient care, and an Osteopathic Recognition track 10. This flexibility allows residents to align their training with their long-term career goals.

Wellness and Professional Development

The program is dedicated to resident wellness, recognizing the high levels of burnout in the medical profession. Towers Health emphasizes mental and physical well-being through workshops and coping strategies, aiming to cultivate healthy, resilient physicians 11.

Current Residents and Alumni

The program features a diverse group of current residents from various international backgrounds. After completing their residency, graduates have successfully transitioned into fellowship programs or hospitalist positions, reflecting the program’s strength in providing a comprehensive educational experience 5.

The Tower Health Internal Medicine Residency prides itself on fostering a collaborative environment where faculty and residents alike maintain supportive mentorship relationships, allowing for a rich educational experience that extends well beyond clinical duties 6.