University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine Program

The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) offers a comprehensive Internal Medicine residency program that is designed to foster skilled, compassionate physicians through an inclusive and community-oriented approach. The program's mission aligns with JABSOM's vision of promoting health equity and addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in Hawaii and the broader Pacific region.

Curriculum Overview

The Internal Medicine residency curriculum is structured to provide residents with a robust education that integrates clinical practice with evidence-based medicine. Key components of the curriculum include:

• Problem-Based Learning (PBL): The program utilizes PBL as a core teaching method, encouraging residents to collaboratively identify learning needs and apply knowledge to clinical scenarios.
• Rotations: Residents experience a wide array of rotations across multiple specialties, ensuring a well-rounded clinical education. This includes training in critical care, outpatient settings, subspecialties, and continuity of care.
• Community-Based Medicine: With a focus on community health, the program emphasizes engagement with diverse populations, including Native Hawaiians and those living in rural or underserved areas.

Training Sites

Residents train at various accredited healthcare facilities that serve as primary teaching sites. These include:

• The Queen's Medical Center: A leading tertiary care hospital in Hawaii, providing extensive resources for both inpatient and outpatient care.
• Kaiser Permanente: Offers a robust experience in managed care and preventive medicine.
• Hilo Medical Center: Provides opportunities to practice in a community hospital setting, focusing on a population with unique healthcare needs.
• Tripler Army Medical Center: Offers residents exposure to military healthcare practices.

Research Opportunities

The Internal Medicine residency program encourages residents to engage in research as an integral part of their training. Research activities may focus on:

• Health disparities and social determinants of health affecting the local population.
• Innovative treatment protocols and community health interventions.
• Collaboration with research centers dedicated to tropical and infectious diseases.

Residents have access to around $50 million in external funding for research annually, with numerous opportunities to publish and present findings at national conferences.

Diversity and Inclusion

JABSOM prides itself on being one of the most culturally diverse medical schools in the United States. The Internal Medicine residency program actively seeks to recruit applicants from various backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities, to ensure a diverse cohort of residents who can better serve the multicultural population of Hawaii.

Visa Support

The program supports candidates requiring visa sponsorship. JABSOM typically sponsors J-1 visas for international medical graduates (IMGs) and offers assistance navigating the visa process, ensuring foreign medical graduates can gain valuable training in the United States.

Competitiveness

The Internal Medicine residency program at JABSOM is regarded as competitive, welcoming both U.S.-trained and international medical graduates. The program is known for being IMG-friendly and is committed to evaluating applicants holistically, emphasizing clinical experience, recommendation letters, and diversity of experience over mere numerical scores.

Application Requirements

To apply to the Internal Medicine residency program, applicants must meet specific criteria, including:

• Graduation from an accredited medical school.
• No more than one failed attempt on each of the USMLE Step exams.
• A commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities.
• Demonstrated interest in internal medicine and community health.

Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the program's requirements and prepare their applications to reflect their strengths and interests.

Conclusion

The Internal Medicine residency program at JABSOM offers an enriching environment that nourishes future leaders in medicine. With its emphasis on community engagement, inclusivity, and robust training, residents are well-equipped to address the healthcare needs of Hawaii and beyond.