Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Program

The Internal Medicine Residency Program at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is tailored to develop the next generation of internal medicine physicians, scientists, educators, and leaders. The program is dedicated to teaching residents how to deliver high-quality care while instilling lifelong learning skills essential for success in any career path.

Program Overview

As a leading academic medical center, the program provides robust resources to support its mission. Residents experience a comprehensive training environment characterized by diverse clinical exposures, robust educational experiences, and strong mentorship from faculty in various subspecialties.

Highlights of the program include:

• Experience in interdisciplinary medical center resident clinics and care for underserved populations through various settings, including the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Veterans’ Administration clinics.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion, fostering a supportive climate for residents from diverse backgrounds.
• Innovative training opportunities, such as the Primary Care Track and the Hospital Medicine Pathway, which offer focused coaching in respective areas.
• Strong academic mentorship and involvement in groundbreaking research initiatives.

Curriculum

The overarching goal of the curriculum is the progressive growth of clinical skills, medical knowledge, and procedural competencies throughout the three years of training. The program features the following key components:

• An innovative X+Y curriculum structure: a 3+1 schedule during the intern year and a 4+4 schedule during upper-level years, allowing residents to focus intensively on clinical services while also dedicated time for outpatient experiences.
• Protected academic time through the Academic Half Day conference series, where residents engage in high-yield learning tailored to their levels of training.
• Diverse subspecialty exposure through advanced training programs in 12 medicine subspecialties.
• Opportunities to participate in procedures and rotations in intensive care units to refine hands-on skills.

Training Pathways

Residents may choose to pursue various specialized paths, including:

Hospital Medicine Pathway

This pathway provides training that enhances skills critical for success in the hospital medicine field, emphasizing quality improvement, patient safety, and leadership within healthcare systems.

Global Health Pathway

Designed for those interested in international health, this pathway offers two years of focused learning on public health issues, including clinical care for underserved populations locally and abroad.

Clinical Scholars in Informatics Pathway

This pathway allows residents to develop skills in clinical informatics, which is crucial for current healthcare systems. Residents work towards certification and engage in projects that apply informatics knowledge in clinical settings.

Medical Education Pathway

This track allows residents to focus on teaching skills through hands-on experiences and mentoring by seasoned educators.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Curriculum

The POCUS curriculum is integrated into training, providing residents with opportunities to learn and perform bedside ultrasound, further enhancing clinical assessment skills.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes the importance of scholarly activity and offers residents access to multiple research opportunities. Key components include:

• Participation in the Tinsley R. Harrison Translational Research pathway, which allows residents to gain experience in clinical research methodologies.
• Annual resident research symposium where residents showcase their work, complemented with financial support for attendance at regional and national conferences.
• A culture of mentorship, facilitating resident involvement in diverse research projects across various medical disciplines.

Wellness and Support

Recognizing the importance of resident wellness, the program has a wellness committee that focuses on initiatives aimed at sustaining work-life balance and combating burnout among trainees.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The internal medicine residency program is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout its curriculum and environment. It embraces diverse perspectives, aiming to provide equitable healthcare education and practice opportunities.

Application Process

To apply, candidates submit their applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), including essential documents. The program sponsor applications for international medical graduates (IMGs), particularly those with U.S. clinical experience. Visa sponsorship is available primarily for J-1 visas.

Competitiveness.

The Wake Forest Internal Medicine Residency Program is known for its competitive selection process. It is open to both MDs and DOs, and typically attracts a high number of applicants, including international medical graduates. The program serves as a welcoming environment for candidates from diverse backgrounds.