University of Utah Internal Medicine
Physician-Scientist Training Program

Welcome from the Chairman

The University of Utah, Department of Medicine now offers a unique program specifically developed for the training of Physician Scientists. We have combined our already strong clinical training program with a nationally recognized research program (upper 30% in NIH funding). Our new Physician Scientist Training Program is tailored to provide direct mentorship and potential career opportunities for those pursuing a medical research career.

Overview

The Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) in the Department of Medicine is a post graduate training program intended to produce clinically trained scientists with interests ranging from basic to translational and clinically oriented research. The program accepts qualified applicants who have completed combined MD-PhD degrees (or an MD degree with significant research training) into a program that includes both clinical training and post doctoral research.

PSTP Structure

Internal Medicine Residency Training

The pathway begins with clinical training in the University of Utah’s Internal Medicine Residency Training Program. Residents benefit from exposure to complex and diverse patient populations from throughout the Intermountain West in an environment that values teaching, camaraderie and a high level of resident autonomy. Participants are strongly encouraged to pursue the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Research Training Pathway (ie. “Short Track”) which allows qualified candidates to begin their sub-specialty fellowship training in lieu of their third year of residency.

Clinical Fellowship Training

PSTP participants will be given the opportunity to pursue subspecialty training in any of the University of Utah’s Medicine fellowships. The Department of Medicine has 11 recognized ACGME accredited clinical fellowships including fellowships in Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Pulmonary and Critical Care, and Rheumatology. Two fellowships have well established NIH Training Grants. There are also a number of non-ACGME fellowship training opportunities in areas ranging from general medicine and hospitalist medicine to ethics.

Post-Doctoral Research

Trainees are given great flexibility in their selection of laboratories and mentors for post-doctoral research. Trainees may choose to pursue research within the Department of Medicine or take advantage of other opportunities and collaborations within the School of Medcine. The University of Utah is the home to a number of world class research centers including the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, and the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Training & Research Institute.

Curriculum

During the first two years of the program, trainees enter a formal mentorship program that ncourages participation in journal club and laboratory meetings. In addition, residents meet regularly with a senior physician scientist of their choice to explore career paths and potential areas of interest. PSTP trainees are encouraged to attend didactic coursework and seminar series that integrate MD clinical and research fellows, MD/PhD students, and PhD students and postdoctoral fellows interested in molecular medicine.

Additional Support

Trainees within the PSTP are guaranteed stipend support for residency and fellowship training. Throughout the entire length of the program, the trainees receive additional financial resources to support their educational needs.

PGY1 / PGY2

During internship and the junior year of residency, trainees will receive educational funding of $1500/year to support the purchase of computers, software, journal subscriptions and conference registration.

Clinical Fellowship

During the year(s) of clinical fellowship training, trainees will continue to receive educational funding of $1500/year to support the purchase of computers, software, journal subscriptions and conference registration.

Research Fellowship Years

During research years, after the candidate is board eligible, the candidate will be given a faculty appointment. Individuals who are awarded an individual extramural career development grant will be eligible for a $10,000 incentive payment.

Application Process

Eligible candidates must have an MD-PhD or an MD with a strong background in research. They must also meet eligibility requirements for the University of Utah’s Internal Medicine Residency Training Program.

Candidates must declare their interest in the Physician Scientist Training Program during the application process to the University of Utah Internal Medicine Residency Program. The application requirements for the PSTP are the same as for the categorical training program but the PSTP candidates must also submit:

1. A letter outlining specific subspecialty of interest and the reason(s) for that subspecialty.
2. An abstract outlining intended research within that subspecialty.

Candidates for the PSTP must apply for both the PSTP and the conventional categorical residency program. Candidates for the PSTP will have an extended interview process. The first portion of the day will be a visit and interviews with the categorical internal medicine residency training program. The second part of the day will be a visit with PSTP leadership and interviews with potential fellowship faculty and research mentors. This latter portion of the day will be tailored to the candidates needs based on the content of the PSTP application form and discussion with the candidate prior to the interview day.

Once accepted, a PSTP trainee may pursue the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Research Pathway (ie. “Short Track”) as long as the trainee complies with requirements as outlined by the ABIM AND maintains training evaluations at a level of “high satisfactory” or better.