Program Goals

The Department of Medicine at the MetroHealth Campus of Case Western Reserve University is proud to present the Physician Scientist Pathway (PSP). This program is designed to provide rigorous training to future physician investigators in the methods of disease- and patient-oriented biomedical research. The program is designed to train future leaders in academic medicine. Clinical and basic science is valued equally. Applicants may, but are not required, to have a specific subspecialty interest. Upon completion of this program, trainees will be board eligible in Internal Medicine, their subspecialty of interest (if desired), and will have received in-depth research training needed to develop a career as an independent physician investigator. It will provide key elements of oversight, and will allow for the maximum protected research time that enables satisfactory completion of ABIM board requirements for residencyand subspecialty training. The program is designed to optimize utilization of and collaboration between the rich research, clinical and training environments available at the MetroHealth Campus of Case Western Reserve University. The program will also foster expertise in "translational medicine," thereby promoting the rapid application of scientific discoveries to diagnostic and therapeutic innovations at the bedside.

Emphasis on:

  • Critical thinking skills
  • Identification of research problems
  • Formulating testable, important hypotheses
  • Preparing a research proposal
  • Interpretation of scientific results
  • Communicating data effectively in a variety of forums including published manuscripts and presentations at national meeting

The program will accomplish its goals by attracting the most talented medical graduates into The MetroHealth System as a result of the unique opportunities offered, and because specialized training will be leveraged against existing areas of research and training excellence within the institution and university. Although trainees will receive comprehensive clinical training in Internal Medicine and their clinical subspecialty of interest (if desired), the continuity of scientific inquiry throughout the entire training period is unique, and will permit the trainee to establish substantial track records in their respective fields, providing a critical springboard to an academic career.

Key Features of the Program

  • Protected research time needed to establish a track record of research accomplishment.
  • Optimizes time for research training by reducing duration of clinical training.
  • No need to apply separately to subspecialty training program, allowing more time to focus on research.
  • Board qualification in Internal Medicine and subspecialty (if desired) upon completion of program.
  • Formal training in biostatistics, bio-ethics, research study design.
  • Availability of advanced degree programs (e.g. MPH) for those interested in clinical science, health care policy research, epidemiology, biostatistics, etc.
  • Continuous mentorship with regard to career development from academic and research advisors, and support and oversight from the PSP Committee.

 

The ABIM Research Pathway

Trainees in the PSP Program will qualify for the previously established and approved American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Research Pathway as outlined below.

  • Recommended only for physicians who intend to seriously pursue a career in basic science or clinical research.
  • Must complete two years of accredited categorical Internal Medicine training. Minimum of 20 months involving direct patient care responsibility.
  • Can be carried out with or without clinical subspecialty training.
  • At least three years of research training at 80% commitment per year.
  • Last year of research may be undertaken as faculty with 80% research.
  • Research must be mentored and reviewed.
  • Twenty percent of each research year to include clinical experiences, including half-day/week clinic.
  • If the candidate leaves the program prematurely, he/she must complete three years of clinical training in Internal Medicine to be board eligible.

 

Application Process

  • Apply with categorical candidates. Can indicate preference for PSP Program at time of application or subsequent to interview, but before match preference is submitted.
  • In addition to application information required for categorical Internal Medicine and subspecialty training, the applicant must provide narrative indicating reasons for pursuing PSP Program, specifying areas of potential research interest, specify subspecialty area (if desired), letter of reference from previous research mentors, and at least two reference letters which specifically address the candidates suitability for PSP Program training and future potential as a physician-scientist.
  • Interview process includes Internal Medicine, subspecialty area, director of PSP and designated PSP committee members.
  • Final decision on match rank order determined cooperatively by Internal Medicine, subspecialty, and PSP Program director. Candidates should not be ranked into the PSP Program without consensus of these directors.
  • Candidates can be considered for PSP Program during PGY1 year if positions are available. However, these candidates must fulfill application requirements outlined above.

 

Training Process and Timeline

  • PGY1: Clinical Internal Medicine Training 1. Assignment of academic advisor. Trainees will identify research mentor (research advisor) and project by end of year.
  • PGY2: Clinical Internal Medicine Training 2. Submit written mini-proposal by January 1. Present oral research proposal defense by April 1. Trainees can proceed with research when research program is approved by PSP Program Committee.
  • PGY3: Research Training 1 (as Internal Medicine resident, supported by Internal Medicine). Trainees will undergo course work or literature review as appropriate to research area. Didactic courses in medical statistics, ethics, study design. Twenty percent clinical activities are approved by the Internal program director, PSP Program director, research and academic advisors.
  • PGY4: Research Training 2 (supported by research mentor). Twenty percent clinical activities are approved by the Internal program director, PSP Program director, research and academic advisors.
  • PGY5: Research Training 3 (as subspecialty resident, supported by subspecialty program). Twenty percent Clinical activities are approved by the subspecialty program director, PSP program director, research and academic advisors.
  • PGY6: Clinical Subspecialty Training 1 (as subspecialty resident, supported by subspecialty program).
  • PGY7: Clinical Subspecialty Training 2 (as subspecialty resident, supported by subspecialty program). This year only required by some subspecialties.

 

Additional Information

Financial Support

PSP trainees will receive salary support as dictated by their post-graduate year level. Laboratory space, supplies, and equipment will be provided by the research mentor. The PSP program will provide support for attendance at scientific meetings during PGY3 - PGY5 years.

Didactic Lectures

  • Mandatory attendance at all IM conferences in PGY1, PGY2.
  • Mandatory attendance at all subspecialty conferences in PGY6, PGY7 (where applicable).
  • Mandatory attendance at Rammelkamp Research Seminar as well as other seminars germane to the PSP Program trainees research and subspecialty area PGY3 - PGY7.

Tracking Performance and Competency

  • Clinical performance judged in accordance with standards developed by IM and subspecialty training program.
  • Candidates required to present updates of research progress formally to PSP Program Committee bi-annually.
  • Minimum bi-annual meetings between PSP Program trainee and academic advisor.
  • Mentor expected to be directly overseeing PSP Program trainee activities on a daily basis.
  • PSP Program trainee should present research findings at laboratory meetings in research advisors laboratory on regular basis.
  • PSP Program trainees are expected to present abstracts at national meetings and participate substantively in the writing of a grant proposal. PSP Program trainees are also expected to publish original scientific articles in high quality peer reviewed journals.
  • PSP Program trainees in PGY4 - PGY7 are expected to present a poster each year at Rammelkamp Research Days.
  • PSP Program trainees are expected to present at least one research seminar at Rammelkamp Research Seminar
  • PSP Program trainees are expected to present an overview of their research with emphasis on implications to clinical medicine at Medicine Grand Rounds or comparable subspecialty grand rounds.

Requirements for Research Advisors

  • Independent application process for faculty interested serving as research advisors in the program.
  • Must have demonstrable track record of research accomplishment at the highest levels (e.g. Principal investigator on NIH or other national grant).
  • Must have demonstrable track record for training scientist.
  • Appointment in Department of Medicine or MetroHealth not necessary.
  • Must submit signed letter indicating in writing willingness to provide support and resources as needed to PSP Program trainee during the relevant training period.

PSP Steering Committee
Richard Blinkhorn, M.D.
Alfred Conners, M.D.
Randall Cebul, M.D.
Regis McFadden, Jr. , M.D.
Michael McFarlane, M.D.
David Rosenbaum, M.D., Chairman
John Sedor, M.D
 Dennis Super, M.D., MPH

 

Tradition of Research Excellence at MetroHealth

From its beginning as Cleveland's first academic medical center in 1837, our institution has been dedicated to the science of improving health care. MetroHealth Medical Center is presently a major teaching hospital for Case Western Reserve University, one of the nation's leading research universities. All faculty hold appointments at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, often with additional appointments in basic science departments. At the MetroHealth Campus of Case Western Reserve University, we have established Centers of Excellence that integrate basic research in molecular, cell, and whole organ physiology, with genetic epidemiology and clinical research to identify the genetic and environmental causes of disease. Our Centers are comprised of basic scientists, clinical scientists, and epidemiologists who are extensively funded by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health. The integrated approach of our Centers of Excellence lead to unique and novel diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Our ongoing commitment to academic and clinical excellence, coupled with extensive capabilities in biotechnology, bioengineering, genetics, and population science will assure that MetroHealth continues to grow as one of the major research and training centers in the country.



PSP Faculty Mentors

PSP Faculty Mentors are listed here.