The Medical Research Track is an established residency program within the Weill Department of Medicine that aims to recruit and train the next generation of leading physician-scientists. The curriculum provides rigorous training in clinical medicine and allows trainees to reach subspecialty training by their third year (PGY3). Individuals who match into this program are also matched into the fellowship program of interest within our department. As a "fast track" or research pathway resident, the full training commitment includes an additional two years to be added at the end of subspecialty clinical training, for the sole purpose of research and establishing an academic career. Most candidates in this program have a significant background in research (typically M.D./Ph.D. or similarly intensive training) and identified a specific scientific niche.
With a renewed commitment to biomedical research, Weill Cornell Medicine continues on an unprecedented commitment to deliver groundbreaking, interdisciplinary discoveries and future leaders in biomedical research. New scientific initiatives, housed in the 480,000 square foot Belfer Research Building (a centerpiece of this expansion), include interdisciplinary programs in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, global health, metabolic health, inflammatory bowel disease, and an innovative set of partnerships between Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Rockefeller University, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, termed the Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, Inc. (Tri-I TDI) and Bridge Medicines, that aim to expedite early-stage drug discovery into treatments and therapies for patients. Importantly, these initiatives have also been accompanied by parallel investments in trainee mentorship across all stages of their professional career paths, including a specific emphasis on physician-scientists.
The Department of Medicine holds physician-scientists among its most unique and valued assets. Accordingly, it offers the MRT program as a formal 24-month curriculum that can accelerate clinical training in internal medicine and additional subspecialty training (if desired) to facilitate the ultimate initiation of an independent research-based career. Candidates with substantive training in, and a clearly defined commitment to, research are encouraged to apply. (Please note: the Supplemental Application is required for consideration into this program.)
As prescribed by the research pathway of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), this track provides extensive, coordinated training in clinical sciences and basic biomedical research. The first two years are identical to the categorical residency program with the addition of career development workshops and personalized academic mentorship. In addition, candidates within the Medical Research Track are afforded elective time to explore the scientific offerings of the Tri-Institutional Community and future potential laboratory opportunities. By the PGY3 year of training, Medical Research residents are fully immersed in their clinical subspecialty field of choice, after which they commit to spend 80 percent of their time in full-time research training, and 20 percent of their time in clinical work.
Matched applicants are assured a fellowship position in their chosen subspecialty, or may choose to pursue fellowship elsewhere.
Training | Duration |
---|---|
Internal Medicine (direct patient responsibility - 20 months) | 24 months |
Research (80%) | 36 months |
Ambulatory Clinics During Research (10%) | 1/2 day per week |
Additional Clinical Training During Research (10%) | May be intermittent or block time |
Total | Five Years |
Internal Medicine Examination | Summer, R-5 |
Training | Duration |
---|---|
Internal Medicine (direct patient responsibility - 20 months) | 24 months |
Subspecialty Clinical | 12-24 months* |
Research (80%) | 36 months |
Ambulatory Clinic During Research | 1/2 day per week |
Total | 6-7 years* |
Internal Medicine Examination | Summer, R-4 |
Subspecialty | Fall, R-6 or 7* |
* based on the subspecialty
Taken from ABIM Policies and Procedures February 2011
Program Director, Medical Research Track
Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
Attending Physician, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
Advisory Committee for the Medical Research Track
Oncology, MSKCC
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rheumatology, HSS
Clinical Epidemiology & Evaluative Sciences
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Rockefeller
Clinical and Translational Science Center; Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Oncology, MSKCC
Medical Oncology, MSKCC
Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Roberts Institute
Oncology, MSKCC
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Microbiology & Immunology
Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health (Rheumatology)
Cardiovascular Research Institute
Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center; Hematology & Medical Oncology