University of South Florida Morsani Program

The Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine is a university-based program designed to train residents as physician-leaders, equipped with a comprehensive foundation in patient care and medical knowledge, along with competencies in teaching, scholarly activity, leadership, and quality improvement. Located in the scenic Tampa Bay area, the program prioritizes a diverse training experience by ensuring exposure to varying patient care environments and pathologies. Training occurs at three primary facilities: Tampa General Hospital, the Moffitt Cancer Center, and the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, which altogether provide a rich educational backdrop for residents

Training Sites

Tampa General Hospital is notable as a tertiary referral center, recently recognized in the top 50 nationally for five medical specialties. It boasts over 1,000 beds and serves a primary teaching facility for the program. Approximately 40-50% of resident inpatient rotations occur here, offering an excellent training environment with a diverse patient mix. The Moffitt Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute designated facility, ranks among the top ten cancer treatment centers in the U.S., providing rigorous oncology training experiences for residents. The James A. Haley Veterans Hospital complements this by offering services to veterans with a busy outpatient clinic, making it one of the best VA hospitals in the country. Residents typically rotate at least 3-4 times at the Moffitt Cancer Center and participate actively in the care of patients with complex medical needs at both TGH and the VA hospital

Curriculum and Rotations

The program implements a structured curriculum combining inpatient and outpatient rotations, including a unique "X + Y" block schedule model. This model allows for continuous learning, where inpatient responsibilities are scheduled separately from outpatient experiences. Residents rotate through core internal medicine wards, work in various subspecialty clinics, and have dedicated outpatient experiences that enhance their educational journey. Each year encompasses a combination of essential rotations in cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, and others, along with procedural training opportunities during electives

The didactic component includes daily conferences, workshops for interpreting clinical data, and quality improvement sessions, ensuring residents remain engaged. Alongside routine lectures, interactive formats like Jeopardy-style quizzes are utilized to consolidate learning. The program is proud of its 99% board pass rate over the last four years, signifying a robust educational framework and resident preparedness

Research and Scholarly Activity

Research is integral to the training experience, with all residents required to participate in the Scholars Council, which focuses on academic activity development. Residents receive mentorship and have opportunities to present their work at national conferences, promoting active engagement in the academic community. In recent years, the program has seen around 100 conference presentations and 30-40 publications per year, showcasing the research capabilities nurtured within the residency

Visa Support and Requirements

The program supports international medical graduates (IMGs) primarily through the J-1 visa sponsorship. The program currently does not sponsor H-1B visas. Applicants must meet specific requirements, including passing USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 on the first attempt with a minimum score of 245, having at least one year of clinical patient experience in the U.S., and being ECFMG certified prior to starting residency. Additionally, IMGs must have graduated from medical school within the last three years and demonstrate fluency in both spoken and written English

Application Process and Competitiveness

The application process is competitive, incorporating a holistic review of candidates. Applicants must submit a completed ERAS application along with three letters of recommendation and USMLE or COMLEX scores. The deadline for application submission is December 1. Past applicants have noted the program to be relatively friendly to DO graduates and IMGs, reflecting an openness to diverse educational backgrounds. Acceptance into the program depends not only on academic performance but also on personal attributes and commitment to the values and mission of the program

Benefits and Wellness

The program offers competitive benefits, with stipends of approximately $60,967 for PGY-1, $63,007 for PGY-2, and $65,168 for PGY-3. Residents receive comprehensive health insurance, meal allowances, and allocated vacation days totaling 20 weekdays annually. Furthermore, there are opportunities for residents to participate in wellness events and gain access to fitness resources, ensuring a balanced residency experience that fosters both personal and professional growth

Community Involvement

The program encourages residents to engage in community outreach efforts through various initiatives, such as the student-run BRIDGE clinic and partnerships with Tampa Bay Street Medicine, helping provide care to underserved populations. This aligns with the program's commitment to developing not only skilled clinicians but also responsible physician-leaders dedicated to community service