The five-to-seven year Program, depending upon specialty, is designed to enhance the general training program with the opportunity for additional research-intensive training consistent with the needs of the individual and with Board requirements. At the completion of training the PSTP Scholar will be prepared and eligible to pursue a career as both a physician-scientist and a board-certified specialist or subspecialist. While the organization of the program is department-specific, the basic structure will involve a graduated progression from general clinical activity to specialization, and from clinical work to research-related activities. Specific aspects of the clinical training program will vary according to requirements for Board eligibility in that specialty. In programs where a distinction is made between general training and subspecialty fellowship training, acceptance into the PSTP will include acceptance into both the general residency and the subspecialty fellowship training program of the Scholar’s choice. For surgical subspecialties, post-residency fellowship may be determined in PGY 4. Click here for a printer-friendly version of this page. Click here for a link to the Department of Medicine PSTP web site.
Internal Medicine Training: Trainees are encouraged to participate in the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Clinical Investigator Track, which allows completion of internal medicine training in two years and initiation of subspecialty fellowship training during the PGY-3 year. As per ABIM requirements, 20 months of direct patient care responsibility will be performed. Training at Northwestern provides the opportunity to care for a diverse patient base and interact with our numerous and talented clinical faculty members. Clinical rotations will encompass both inpatient and outpatient rotations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and VA Chicago. A laboratory rotation during the PGY-1 or PGY-2 year may also be possible.
Clinical Fellowship Training: Applicants will fulfill the required clinical fellowship training as determined by their subspecialty board. This is typically one year of intensive clinical training with maintenance of a subspecialty clinic during subsequent years.
Research training will be completed under the mentorship of any faculty member at Northwestern University. Applicants will be encouraged to interview potential research mentors before or early during their clinical fellowship training. Final selection of a research mentor will be made with the assistance of the program mentor. During research training, a mentoring committee consisting of the program mentor, research mentor and at least one other faculty member knowledgeable in the chosen area of research will be formed to assess the trainee and ensure progress towards independence.
Trainees in the PSTP are guaranteed support for their clinical training years and three years of research training. Trainees in their research years will be encouraged, with the support of their research mentor, to seek outside support to help facilitate their transition to independence. In addition to salary support for postgraduate years one through six as stipulated by the Office of Graduate Medical Education, the following financial support will be provided to trainees:
Year 1 (Internship) $4,000 to provide support for travel to a national meeting, journals, etc. Year 2 (Junior Residency) $4,000 to support for travel to a national meeting, journals, etc. Year 3 (Clinical Fellowship) $7,000 to support travel to a national meeting, journals, etc. Year 4–6 (research) $15,000/yr to supplement stipend; $5,000/yr to support travel, journals, etc.
Applicants should apply to the Categorical Internal Medicine Training Program of the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University through ERAS. In addition to their application through ERAS, applicants should submit a Medicine PSTP Application. If not already included in ERAS, applicants should also submit a letter of recommendation from their principal research mentor, one additional letter from an individual familiar with their research potential, and copies of all published research publications. Applicants will be notified if they are invited to interview. Interviews for the program will occur concurrently with interviews for the Categorical Internal Medicine Training Program. Acceptance into the program will be via the NRMP and will be based on commitment to and potential for a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist.
For more information, or to submit an application, please contact:
Eric W. Boberg, Ph.D.
Director of Research Development, Department of Medicine
Northwestern University
Galter 3-150
251 East Huron Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2908
e-boberg@northwestern.edu | 
