University of Missouri-Columbia Program

The University of Missouri-Columbia Internal Medicine Residency Program offers a blend of a quality education, a rich clinical experience, and a comfortable quality of life. With six one-year preliminary and twenty-one three-year categorical positions, the program emphasizes a broad range of internal medicine experiences, including both common and unusual clinical cases, across a variety of settings.

Rotate Model and Clinical Exposure: The residency operates on a four+one model, balancing four weeks of diverse inpatient and outpatient rotations with a one week of continuity clinic. This structure allows residents to fully immerse themselves in each rotation without the interruption of competing responsibilities, enhancing both learning and patient care. Rotations occur primarily through the University of Missouri Health Care system and the affiliated Harry S. Truman VA Hospital, providing a comprehensive educational experience. The program also includes a thorough exposure to a wide range of internal medicine subspecialties, both in inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as elective options for further focused learning.

Application and Selection Process: Applicants interested in the residency must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), providing a range of documents including a universal application, CV, medical school transcript, at least three letters of recommendation, USMLE and/or COMLEX results, and a personal statement. The program invites candidates for interviews based on a review of these materials, with no specified cut-offs for step scores, although scores of 220 on USMLE or 500 on COMLEX are considered competitive. The program considers applications from DOs and MDs equally and reviews all applications, including those from individuals who have failed a step, on a case-by-case basis.

Visa Support: The program accepts and considers international medical graduates (IMGs), currently comprising 30% of their residents. It supports J1 visas but does not offer H1B visas. ECFMG certification is not required at the time of application but must be obtained before starting the program in July. There's no requirement for U.S. clinical experience, although observerships are recognized and considered.

Recent Graduates' Success: The website outlines the diverse fellowship and practice placements of recent graduates, showcasing the program's success in preparing residents for various subspecialties and practices within internal medicine and beyond.

Education and Learning Opportunities: Besides the clinical rotations, the program offers a variety of educational conferences, including morning reports, noon conferences, grand rounds, and specialty-specific series, enhancing both the breadth and depth of residents' learning. The program has adapted to provide these educational opportunities via teleconferences when necessary.

Overall, the University of Missouri-Columbia Program in Internal Medicine appears to offer a comprehensive and flexible educational environment, supported by a structured curriculum and varied clinical exposures designed to prepare residents for future careers in internal medicine and its subspecialties.