Our Curriculum: Building Expertise Through Comprehensive and Compassionate Care

At JHMC IM Residency our curriculum is designed to provide a robust and well-rounded training experience that prepares residents to become exceptional internists, with the flexibility to pursue subspecialty training or careers in academic medicine, hospitalist roles, and primary care. Our aim is to cultivate competent, compassionate, and mission-driven physicians who are prepared to serve diverse patient populations with confidence.

In JHMC IM Residency we follow an X+Y schedule to optimize both inpatient and outpatient training. In this structure, residents spend dedicated blocks of time in different rotations:

• X Weeks: Focus exclusively on inpatient rotations or electives, allowing for immersive, uninterrupted clinical experiences.
• Y Week: A dedicated week in the outpatient continuity clinic, where residents manage their own panel of patients, fostering long-term relationships and continuity of care.

*Subspecialty Electives may have both inpatient and outpatient elements.

Block Schedule: 2 week blocks with 26 total blocks per year

PGY-1

First year residents are introduced to clinical methods and patient care. The primary goals of this year are to learn the elements of establishing a clinical database (history, physical examination, and evaluation of laboratory data), following an inpatient’s progress, diagnostic planning (sequence & cost effectiveness), and supervised workup. Training includes basic procedural skills for diagnostic workup and treatment, as well as an emphasis on therapeutic planning, patient education, primary care and continuity of care.

PGY-2

Promotion to the PGY-2 training year implies satisfactory acquisition of the skills outlined under the PGY-1 section. Second-year residents work to further development of the essential skills of an Internist. Clinical data is used to formulate an extended differential diagnosis, with greater emphasis on a diagnostic workup and therapeutic plan. In addition, the PGY-2 assumes an immediate supervisory role for the PGY-1 resident, in which they act as role-models and teachers in the examination, workup, and continuity care planning of patients, as well as the performance of bedside procedures. In addition, they rotate through the core subspecialties of Gastroenterology, Cardiology, and ID, and act as an integral link in subspecialty inter-consultation and patient care.

*(schedule may vary depending on individual residents education needs)

PGY-3

The PGY-3 year represents the product of two intensive years of training in patient care management. Commensurate with their increased maturation, the PGY-3 functions as the senior physician on the team, directing patient care and supervising the first and second year house officers. The PGY-3’s role is to synthesize his or her clinical experience with a review of the current literature and to formulate a balanced academic approach to patient management. Consistent with this view is that the PGY-3 is the academic leader of an assigned team, rotates extensively in the sub-specialty consultations, and acts as a role model for the junior staff. Additionally, the PGY-3 rotates as the Medical Admitting Resident, with a hands-on approach to the evaluation and workup of patients admitted to the hospital, and allowing them to acquire the competence and confidence to transition into excellent physicians in independent practice.

*(schedule may vary depending on individual residents education needs)

Floor Rotation:

This rotation serves as the foundation for inpatient medicine, helping residents build confidence in managing critically ill patients while fostering communication, leadership, and clinical judgment.

During the floor rotation, residents gain hands-on experience managing a broad spectrum of medical conditions on the inpatient wards. This rotation is designed to develop core clinical skills through direct patient care, from admission to discharge. Residents work closely with attendings and a multidisciplinary team to manage complex cases, coordinate care, and lead family discussions.

Key aspects of the floor rotation include Direct Patient Care, Teamwork, Teaching & Learning, Procedural skills

ICU rotation

The ICU rotation provides in-depth exposure to the complexities of critical care medicine, helping residents refine both their clinical judgment and procedural competency in high-pressure environments.

During the ICU rotation, residents manage critically ill patients in a high-acuity setting, developing skills in advanced life support and complex decision-making. This rotation emphasizes the stabilization, monitoring, and treatment of patients with life-threatening conditions, while working alongside intensivists and critical care teams.

Key aspects include: Advanced Life Support, Ventilator Management, Procedures, Team Leadership, Acute Management.

IMCU Rotation: Intermediate Care Unit

The IMCU rotation sharpens residents’ skills in recognizing early signs of clinical deterioration and stabilizing patients in a high-monitoring environment.

In the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) rotation, senior level residents care for patients who require close monitoring but are not critically ill enough for the ICU. This rotation serves as a bridge between standard inpatient care and critical care, with a focus on managing patients recovering from serious illness or at high risk for deterioration.

Key aspects include: Acute Management, Team Leadership, Procedures, Transition of Care, Patient Stability

CCU Rotation: Cardiac Care Unit

The CCU rotation offers a focused cardiology experience, helping residents deepen their understanding of cardiac pathophysiology and sharpen their ability to manage critical cardiac events and post procedure patients.

In the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) rotation, residents gain experience managing patients with acute cardiac conditions, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, and arrhythmias. This specialized setting provides advanced training in cardiology-focused critical care.

Key aspects include: Cardiac Monitoring, Acute Interventions, Collaborative Care, Procedures

Ambulatory Care Rotation: Outpatient Clinical Experience

The ambulatory care rotation helps residents develop their skills in primary care, communication, and preventive medicine, preparing them for both outpatient and continuity clinic practice.

The Ambulatory Care rotation focuses on outpatient medicine, providing residents with the opportunity to manage a wide variety of chronic and acute conditions in a clinic setting. This rotation emphasizes continuity of care, preventive medicine, and long-term management of patients over time.

Key aspects include: Preventive Medicine, Continuity of Care, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Communication

Subspecialty Rotations:

With access to all available subspecialties, these rotations provide comprehensive exposure to various fields in medicine, helping residents refine their interests, develop expertise, and prepare for potential fellowship training or general practice in their chosen specialties.

During the subspecialty rotations, residents gain in-depth exposure to all available subspecialties within internal medicine. These rotations allow residents to explore specific areas of interest, develop specialized skills, and work closely with experts in each field.

Key aspects include: Focused Clinical Experience, Procedural Exposure, Outpatient & Inpatient Care, Subspecialty Didactics:

Educational Highlights (same bucket or different bucket? Is this too much for one bucket?)

At JHMC, we take pride in offering a comprehensive educational experience that cultivates both skilled and compassionate physicians. Our curriculum is built around structured didactics and conferences, providing residents with a solid foundation in inpatient and outpatient medicine. Daily noon conferences feature a diverse range of topics, from core internal medicine concepts to advanced subspecialty knowledge, all with a strong focus on evidence-based medicine and board preparation. We enhance learning with interactive case discussions, simulation training, and Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) workshops, equipping residents with essential tools and skills. Our Health Equity series and cultural competence training further prepare residents to deliver inclusive, high-quality care to our diverse patient population while fostering both professional and personal growth.

(want to learn more about our conferences click here…)

Educational Highlights: Empowering Future Physicians

Critical Care & POCUS Training

Residents gain experience in the ICU with comprehensive exposure to critical care management, including procedures and the integration of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS). POCUS is taught through hands-on training in bedside diagnostic and procedural ultrasound, empowering trainees to provide efficient, real-time patient care.

Simulation-Based Learning

Our simulation program focuses on improving both technical skills and communication during real-world scenarios such as Rapid Response and Code Blue events. The secondary goal is to enhance teamwork and group problem-solving during high-stress situations, enabling residents to develop confidence and competency in emergency settings.

Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health

We are deeply committed to training culturally sensitive physicians who are prepared to care for underserved communities. Our Health Equity Didactic Series explores the intersection of medicine and social determinants of health. Residents participate in monthly sessions that dive into topics like cultural competence, implicit bias, and advocacy, with a focus on improving healthcare outcomes for marginalized populations.

Longitudinal Didactics and Board Preparation

Didactic sessions are integrated throughout the academic year, providing a balanced mix of lectures, interactive sessions, and case-based learning. We focus on:

• Clinical Skills: Core medical knowledge through board-style questions and presentations.
• Subspecialty Exposure: Lectures from faculty across various disciplines.
• Wellness Sessions: A full year of protected time for wellness activities and reflection, supporting resident well-being throughout the program.

Additionally, board preparation is embedded into the conferences. Residents also receive dedicated resources to prepare for board certification.