General Internal Medicine Internship Programs

Research

This project consists of the adaptation, refinement, and testing of a behavioral intervention delivered by peer coaches designed to improve mental health among people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Because of the stigma of mental health diagnoses, we will engage people with RA suffering from chronic pain, a population highly enriched for depression and anxiety. We completed Aim 1, interviewing people living with RA and chronic pain, to learn their perspectives on the barriers they face to optimizing their mental health and their preferences for a peer coach delivered intervention. We are actively implementing Aim 2 where we will refine peer a coach delivered intervention called Living Healthy that uses exercise to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain and proven to decrease depression. Living Healthy integrates principles of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) designed to improve mood despite chronic pain and includes a home exercise program designed by a physical therapist. We will convene and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary stakeholder panel of physical therapists, psychologists, rheumatologists, primary care physicians, and patients with RA to adapt and refine the intervention to the RA context. In Aim 3, which will be active during Summer 2025, we will recruit patients with RA and chronic pain, randomizing them to the intervention or an active control arm. The intervention consists of 8 telephone sessions that integrate principles of CBT, stress reduction skills, and physical activity. 

Interns will be working with the team (PIs and RAs) to execute portions of our clinical trial to improve mental health outcomes for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Tasks may include: participation/observation of patient advisory board meetings, assisting with recruitment tasks of patients, analyzing preliminary data, participation/observation of peer coach training and team meetings, and evaluation of qualitative data.   

1. Watch this interview of Dr. Navarro-Millan: https://rheumlab.org/meet-the-investigator-iris-navarro-millan-md/
2. View Dr. Navarro-Millan's and Dr. Young's research bios: https://medicine.weill.cornell.edu/divisions-programs/general-internal-m...
3. View Dr. Navarro-Millan's publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=navarro-millan
4. View Dr. Young's publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Sarah%20R.%20Young

Workplace: hybrid 

Research 

This study uses qualitative methods to identify provider perspectives regarding barriers to referring Hispanic men at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and supporting their engagement in the DPP. We will conduct semi-structured individual interviews remotely with Providers at FQHCs. The students will partake in qualitative analysis (qualitative coding) of interviews. 

https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/cwid-cjg7003

Workplace: Hybrid, Remote

Research

Lab research aims to improve health and healthcare delivery for adults with chronic conditions, with a specific focus on home health care and leveraging the role of home health aides to improve patient outcomes. Our research spans the medical school, Cornell U (Ithaca) and Cornell Tech campus. Interns will work on literature review, intervention development, recruitment and study events, data collection, and data analysis. 

https://www.madelinesterling.com/
https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/carow/incubator/home-care-work

Workplace: Hybrid

Research 

Osteoarthritis (OA) and congestive heart failure (CHF) are both highly prevalent, often co-occurring chronic diseases that significantly impact the quality of life (QoL) and healthy aging of older adults. As of 2020, an estimated 50% of adults aged 65 and older live with OA, and 18% are diagnosed with heart failure. These figures are expected to rise as the population ages, posing significant medical and social challenges. Of particular concern is the need to maintain health and QoL during extended life expectancy as managing QoL is a key predictor of mortality, particularly in older adults living with chronic conditions like OA and CHF.

To address the challenge of maintaining health while aging with these chronic conditions, I conducted a qualitative study titled "Perceptions of Aging Well among Older Adults Living with Heart Failure: Insights from a Qualitative Study." This study sought to understand the meaning of "aging well" from the perspective of older adults living with CHF, as well as to identify their facilitators and barriers to aging well. The study explored the experiences of 20 individuals living with CHF, many of whom also had OA, from both affluent and less affluent neighborhoods in New York City. The study was stratified by neighborhood affluence since neighborhood contributes to health disparities and influences key factors associated with aging well, such as access to healthcare, social support, and overall quality of life. The findings of my study challenged Rowe and Kahnâ's widely used conceptualization of "successful aging," which emphasizes the avoidance of disease and disability. While participants did value social engagement, physical functioning, and cognitive health—consistent with Rowe and Kahnâ's model - 70% of them considered themselves to have aged well, despite many having to rely on medical equipment for ambulation. This suggests that the presence of serious chronic conditions does not necessarily prevent individuals from feeling they have aged successfully. Instead, factors like chronic pain management and overall well-being emerged as crucial yet under-recognized dimensions of aging well, which are not included in Rowe and Kahnâ's framework. Additionally, the study revealed economic stability as a significant facilitator of aging well among residents of affluent neighborhoods. Meanwhile, residents of less affluent areas prioritized social cohesion and community support, with access to healthcare identified as a barrier in both affluent and less affluent neighborhoods. These findings highlight the need for a patient-centered framework for healthy aging that better reflects the realities of living with chronic conditions.

Before designing and testing interventions to optimize QoL based on this new framework, it is crucial to first confirm that the findings are generalizable to a broader population, allowing me to refine my model. In the future, I hope to use my Patient-Centered Model of Successful Aging to develop widely applicable interventions that allow diverse groups of older adults with chronic conditions to age successfully, from their perspective.

I plan to build on my qualitative study of aging well to now develop a survey and administer it in a larger sample, gaining skills in survey development and administration.This research could highlight actionable differences between neighborhoods of varying affluence, ultimately addressing health disparities and improving the ability of all older adults to age well.

Proposal aims:

1. Develop a survey based on the Aging Well qualitative study results. The survey will be designed based on insights from the 20 individual interviews conducted as part of the Aging Well study, focusing on the newly identified dimensions of aging well. We will create both closed- and open-ended questions, determine the logical flow, conduct pilot testing and revise any unclear items based on feedback. We will also adapt questions from validated scales to ensure statistical rigor, validity, and reliability.
2. Administer the survey to a broader population. The survey will be administered to 100 adults with CHF and OA from both affluent and less affluent neighborhoods, enabling a comparative analysis of health disparities and factors influencing aging well in diverse socio-economic contexts. Hypothesis: Participants will rate the five domains identified in the Aging Well study. A secondary hypothesis is that neighborhood affluence will reveal differences in perceived barriers and facilitators, highlighting health disparities and the need for targeted interventions to support members of diverse communities to age well.

Interns may be asked to assist with the following:

Survey Development and Testing

• Questionnaire Design: Contribute to drafting and refining survey questions, ensuring clarity and relevance based on the qualitative study findings.
• Pilot Testing: Support pilot testing by coordinating participant recruitment, administering the survey, and collecting feedback to refine the instrument.

Data Collection and Administration

• Participant Recruitment: Assist in recruiting participants from both affluent and less affluent neighborhoods, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines and diversity goals.
• Survey Administration: Help administer surveys to study participants, whether online, by phone, or in person, ensuring a smooth process and addressing any participant concerns.
• Data Entry and Management: Accurately input survey responses into a secure database, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Preliminary Data Analysis: Perform initial data cleaning and organize survey data for analysis using statistical software or other tools.
• Thematic Analysis: Assist in analyzing open-ended survey responses, identifying key themes related to the dimensions of aging well.
• Statistical Support: Collaborate with the research team in conducting basic statistical analyses, such as comparing responses across neighborhood affluence.

Workplace: Hybrid

Research/Communication

A novel patient education platform that is highly engaging and easily understood by individuals with low health literacy. We have ongoing research projects that test various aspects of the system, as well as opportunities to learn content development under the guidance of a research librarian and physician. We also have ongoing content development that needs creative visuals such as GIFs, infographics, and videos. Interns will learn to develop medical content under the guidance of a research librarian and content developers in the Division of General Internal Medicine, as well as have opportunities to work with their mentors on ongoing research projects that test various aspects of the system.

Please check out our platform at www.palsforhealth.com.
Workplace: hybrid

Research

Large national epidemiology cohort study with 10 years of follow-up and rigorously adjudicated outcomes. Students and trainees interested in observational research methods can be integrated into a research team and participate in studies of health disparities. Students/trainees with statistical or mathematical skills would find this project of interest. We are looking for a medical student who is interested in writing a first author manuscript using REGARDS data.

https://medicine.weill.cornell.edu/news/dr-safford-receives-79-million-g...

Applicants: WCM medical students only 

Workplace: hybrid

Research

This large pragmatic trial enrolled 1,592 black Americans who live in the Alabama and North Carolina Black Belt regions. The trial tested peer coaching vs. practice facilitation vs. both vs. enhanced usual care to understand which, if any, of these interventions can best improve blood pressure control. Students and trainees can be integrated into a research team, conduct a literature review, analyze data collected from this cohort, and write a manuscript as a first author. We are looking for a medical student who is interested in writing a first author manuscript using SEC data. 

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2816426

Applicants: WCM medical students only

Workplace: hybrid

Research

Students from all health disciplines (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, health policy, and pre-health) with an interest in working together with a team to improve the quality and safety of patient care are encouraged to apply. The selected candidate will receive an introduction to the field of healthcare systems improvement through participation in a quality improvement project under the direction of a faculty member currently participating in the Quality Improvement Academy (QIA). The intern will:

1. Develop an understanding of quality improvement and how it can be applied to improving systems
2. Contribute to a QIA project in data collection, qualitative patient interactions, interviews, etc.
3. Obtain a letter of recommendation to build their academic portfolio, if requested

Workplace: hybrid

Research

Health Services Research and Community-based Studies:
Lab research aims to improve health and healthcare delivery for adults with chronic conditions, with a specific focus on home health care and leveraging the role of home health aides to improve patient outcomes.

Our research spans the medical school, Cornell U (Ithaca) and Cornell Tech campus.

Workplace: hybrid

Research

Studies have found that around 80 to 90 percent of an individual's health is determined by social determinants of health. While the medical system impacts health during visits for injury or illness, the social determinants interact with health much earlier and on a day-to-day basis. Peer coaching, which is the use of lay individuals to deliver evidence-based behavioral interventions, has been shown to improve social determinants of health and chronic illness management. Our team aims to address this public health concern in individuals with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who suffer from depression. Joining our team will allow you to learn more about the effects of public health on a chronically ill population. You will help in the development of patient-facing educational materials, data collection, peer coach training, and more. To get a better understanding of the standard of care for patients with RA, you will have the opportunity to shadow Rheumatologists, work on literature review projects related to the field of rheumatology, and have one-on-one mentorship meetings with Dr. Iris Navarro-Millan.

Workplace: hybrid

Research 

Women with diabetes and breast cancer have a 50% higher risk of death up to 10 years after cancer diagnosis compared to non-diabetic women with breast cancer, which may be partially due to suboptimal diabetes management during active cancer treatment. The goal of this study is to pilot test a stakeholder- engaged intervention to manage diabetes for women receiving treatments for breast cancer. Findings from this innovative pilot study will lay the groundwork for a future, multi-site, randomized trial testing the intervention developed here.

Workplace: hybrid

Research

Black adults with cancer have twice the risk of poor cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes compared to White adults with cancer; and we hypothesize that social determinants of health (SDOH) such as structural racism and individual-level socio-economic position are partially responsible for this observed Black-White disparity. The objective of this study is to elucidate the role of SDOH including structural racism on CVD outcomes among a Black and White, community-based cohort of nearly 8,000 male and female adults with cancer. Our proposed work will generate new evidence to inform interventions designed to eliminate Black-White disparities in CVD outcomes during survivorship.

Workplace: hybrid

Research 

Randomized controlled trial comparing a social-network enhanced lifestyle (intervention group) to an individual-level lifestyle intervention (control group). Subjects in both arms (n=66 each) will receive the same number of behavioral coaching sessions (15 total) with four sessions conducted in person (baseline, week 8, week 16, and week 24), and the remaining 11 sessions conducted virtually. Subjects randomized to the social network intervention will nominate up to a maximum of two members of their social network (n=132) who will also be consented at baseline, complete a brief baseline interview, and attend the virtual coaching sessions with the randomized subject at weeks 3, 5, and 15. The social network members will also complete a close-out study interview at week 24.

Workplace: hybrid 

Research 

Two-arm community-based cluster randomized control trial that will evaluate the initial (10-wk) and longer-term (24-wk) effect of the Sleep2BWell enhanced Sleep Health intervention compared with usual care BWell4Life lifestyle behavioral intervention on improving cardiometabolic health (CMH). 6-wk Sleep2Bwell intervention, consists of the 4-wk standard BWell4Life intervention plus: 1) two 90-min sleep health education and group coaching sessions, 2) self-monitoring and motivational enhancement using a Fitbit, and 3) addressing prominent structural barriers to healthy sleep in NYC such as noise, light, air pollution, and excessive heat waves by supplying participants with ear plugs, eye masks, blue light blockers, air purifiers (which also serve as noise machines), and portable air conditioners.

Workplace: hybrid

Research 

Two-arm cluster, NR wait-list control trial that trains NYC public middle school science teachers on implementing a six-unit cancer educational curriculum over 5 weeks with a 6-month follow-up on behavior intentions. 10 NYC public middle schools are evaluating a cancer education intervention.  As effectiveness in increasing the intention to engage in health-promoting behaviors among middle school students; increasing communication about cancer-related risks in the household; and improving the health-promoting behaviors of at least one of their parents/guardians. Phase I of the study was to develop the curriculum (intervention) and receive feedback through qualitative interviews/focus groups. Phase II of the study will consist of training the participating science teachers and implementing the curriculum in NYC public middle schools as outlined in this protocol.

Workplace: hybrid

Research 

Due to climate change, heat waves have increased in number and magnitude, exacerbating heat-related morbidity and mortality. One long-term solution to reducing heat in cities is by expanding the urban forest. However, the number of trees is not equally distributed, often resulting in low-income and communities of color having the least tree cooling benefits and the highest risk of heat vulnerability. Our study aims to understand which trees to plant and where to plant them to reduce adverse heat-related health outcomes, particularly for those most vulnerable. Therefore, we are interviewing NYC community leaders in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods to both understand the community values around trees and heat, as well as how to implement an environmental justice-focused tree plan.

Workplace: hybrid 

Research 

Most preventable maternal deaths occur in intrapartum and immediate postpartum (PP) periods, as do complications from undetected/undertreated mental health (MH) conditions (e.g., suicide, overdose) and cardiovascular (CV) events. Ethnically and racially minoritized and low-income birthing people develop medical comorbidities at earlier ages, are less likely to have conditions detected or adequately managed and are more likely to experience the complications of those conditions. In New York City (NYC), maternal deaths are 8-12 times higher for Black than for white birthing parents. We will address these gaps by implementing and evaluating Living Healthy for Moms (LHMoms) in three complementary settings and populations (Brooklyn, Queens, and Northern Manhattan). 

Workplace: hybrid

Research

Looking for a summer intern who is eager to learn more about the role of data in Health Services Research and population health and assist with current epidemiological and clinical research projects. The student will get exposure to secondary data sources pertaining to healthcare and population statistics from Census. Potential projects may involve statistical analysis using tools such as SAS, R and Stata. The candidate must be interested in working with data and familiarity with statistical software (i.e. SAS, R or Stata) is needed.

Workplace: hybrid

Research

Diagnostic error is the leading cause of preventable medical errors and is most attributed to faulty diagnostic reasoning. In teaching hospitals, medical decision making for hospitalized patients is performed in teams of small groups of experienced clinicians and trainees. Our program investigates team dynamics and group decision making in the hospital, and seeks to identify factors that influence team functioning and the incidence of diagnostic errors.

Workplace: hybrid

Research

The mission of the Program for the Care and Study of the Aging Heart is to improve the wellbeing of older adults with heart failure by developing, testing, and implementing novel patient centered strategies of care. Dr. Goyal first established this Clinical Research Program in 2017. Over the years, the program has been supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging, American Heart Association, the New York Community Trust, and the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation. The research program is anchored by clinical programs dedicated to Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Cardiac Amyloidosis. Ongoing research projects are focused on addressing the challenges of polypharmacy, self-care, and healthcare utilization in heart failure. These efforts involve innovative methodologies such as N-of-1 trials, as well as integration of implementation science principles and theories of behavior change such as self-determination theory.

Workplace: hybrid

Interns practice communicating medical concepts clearly and complete a literature review while writing for PALS, a patient health education website in development. Interns are also taught how to navigate useful programs such as Endnote and Qualtrics, in addition to others specific to one's research project. There are various opportunities to shadow doctors and gain exposure to a variety of jobs in the healthcare sector outside of medicine, too. 
—Lawrence Kwong, M.D. candidate, Class of 2026, Weill Cornell Medicine

I was placed in the Department of Pediatrics and had a wonderful experience learning from the administrative staff and clinical faculty. In just eight weeks, I learned so much about the role of finance and operations in academic medicine. I was also fortunate to experience many of the exciting initiatives within the Division, including the clinic integration project. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone with a business background who is interested in healthcare and medicine.
— Morgan Greifer, Class of 2023, Northwestern University

During my time as a GIM intern, I was able to learn about the field of public health research in deeply engaging ways, even while working remotely. This program allowed me to form lasting connections with my research team, gave me perspective on how I can contribute to the field of medicine in the future, and expanded my opportunities with valuable mentor connections. Altogether, I deeply value my time as a GIM intern and am grateful for the lessons I have learned from my team. 
— Julia Loughman, Class of 2023, Tufts University

The GIM internship provided me the unique opportunity to immerse myself in a field that closely aligned with my career goals and connect with professionals who feel have the same passion. This program provided me with exposure to the field of medicine and what a career in the field would entail.
— Matthew Luebke, Class of 2022, Cornell University

Through the GIM internship, I was able to participate in the research process from start to finish, observe medical student training sessions, and gain a broader perspective on academic medicine. I developed a strong relationship with my faculty mentor that has expanded my view on what it means to practice medicine and strengthened my desire to enter the field. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to participate in this program and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the variety of career opportunities in Internal Medicine. 
— Karissa DiPierro, Class of 2022, Cornell University

My experience strongly reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career in medicine. By learning from and working with GIM faculty, I was able to hone my research skills and take advantage of the academic resources that a prestigious medical research institution like WCM has to offer. Through the internship, I developed an invaluable mentor relationship with a GIM faculty member, and learned how to collect and synthesize data from academic studies in order to write my first scoping literature review.
— Alex Zarska, Class of 2020, Cornell University