Curriculum
The curriculum of the UPMC Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Training Program is designed to provide basic skills in the first postgraduate year (PGY1) and progressive supervisory responsibilities in subsequent years.
Our curriculum is designed so that the intern year lasts 12 months.
Our residents switch between medicine and pediatrics every 3 months. To experience the seasonal variation in illness patterns, our residents complete one 6-month block in the same discipline at the end of the second year and beginning of the third year.
| Rotations M=Medicine P=Pediatrics M-P=Med-Peds |
Number of Months Per Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGY1 | PGY2 | PGY3 | PGY4 | Total | ||
| Inpatient Medicine (M) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | |
| Inpatient Pediatrics (P) | 3 | 1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 7 | |
| MICU/CCU (M) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | |
| Delivery Room (P) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| NICU/PICU (P) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Med-Peds Ambulatory Care (M-P) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Pediatric Ambulatory/Child Advocacy(P) | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | |
| Electives (M) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 10 | |
| Electives (P) | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |
| Emergency Department (M) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Emergency Department (P) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Adolescent Medicine (P) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Geriatrics (M) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Newborn Nursery/CDU (P) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Vacation (weeks) | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 | |
Inpatient Medicine—Rotations are split between the inpatient wards at UPMC Montefiore and UPMC Shadyside to ensure the broadest inpatient medical training experience. Teams consist of one senior resident and two interns.
Inpatient Pediatrics—General pediatrics admissions at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC are shared by “color teams.” Teams consist of one senior resident, two interns, and an attending (these are dedicated pediatric hospitalists). Additionally, residents rotate through “subspecialty teams” (such as oncology), in which your team may also include a fellow.
Medical Intensive Care Unit/Coronary Care Unit (MICU/CCU)—The adult ICU rotations are at UPMC Shadyside. This hospital has a large cancer referral base, as it is the primary location of the UPMC Cancer Centers. The CCU month is at UPMC Presbyterian. This hospital is a major referral center, providing diversity and a high volume of patients to solidify the cardiac ICU experience. Residents become skilled at managing critically ill patients, placing various types of central venous and arterial lines, and conducting family meetings. Of note, the UPMC ICUs have 24-hour critical care attending coverage.
Delivery Room—During this month at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, residents are responsible for attending deliveries in one of the country’s busiest and best women’s hospitals. Residents become comfortable with newborn resuscitation skills, umbilical line placement, and stabilization of infants.
Med-Peds Ambulatory Care—During this block, residents have the opportunity to see both adult and pediatric patients. These are valuable months, as they allow residents to start integrating both aspects (internal medicine and pediatrics) of their training. The second, third, and fourth year rotations are flexible in design, with some residents choosing to work in a variety of different sites within the UPMC Health System. Senior residents also serve as the clinic supervisor, working with residents, faculty and staff to better understand office logistics.
Child Development Unit (CDU)—On this outpatient rotation in a multidisciplinary clinic, residents are exposed to children with a variety of developmental issues, including Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X syndrome, school problems, and behavior difficulties.
Program Year One (PGY 1)
All four of our interns begin the year together in either medicine or pediatrics. Starting together allows our interns to form a cohesive class by staying in close contact with one another and to support each other with advice about hospital systems and specific rotations.
Here is a sample first-year schedule:
| Rotation | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Newborn (P) | Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Pediatrics (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Neonatal ICU (P) | Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Medicine (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Medical ICU (M) | UPMC Shadyside | |
| Inpatient Medicine (M) | Presbyterian Pavilion (Cardiology service) | |
| Emergency Department (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Pediatrics (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Pediatrics (P) /Elective (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Medicine (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Presbyterian or UPMC Shadyside | |
| Outpatient Medicine-Pediatrics (M-P) | Med-Peds Ambulatory | |
| Vacation 4 Weeks |
Inpatient Pediatrics—During the first year, Med-Peds residents rotate through general pediatrics teams and subspecialty teams. General pediatrics admissions at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC are shared by four “color teams”. Experiences will range from caring for patients with acute, self-limited illnesses to caring for more serious and chronic conditions in pediatric patients. Teams consist of one senior resident, two interns, and an attending (these are dedicated pediatric hospitalists). When residents rotate through the “subspecialty teams,” the team may also include a fellow. Patients are covered by residents on night team 6/7 days of the week; floor team residents cover the 7th night.
Newborn Nursery—During this rotation, residents will learn about prenatal care and its effects, postpartum care of newborns, breastfeeding and support, safety and accident prevention, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), growth, and many other topics. Supervision is by members of the general academic pediatrics faculty.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)—This rotation emphasizes the care and stabilization of ill and/or premature babies, neonatal resuscitation, and some of the chronic problems of premature infants (such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and sequelae of asphyxia). Residents round daily with the NICU attending and have ample opportunity to perform procedures.
Pediatric Emergency Department—The residents’ experience in the Children’s emergency department will range from trauma to common pediatric illnesses. It is busy and well-staffed. Residents will work alongside other residents in pediatrics, emergency medicine, and family practice, as well as with fully trained emergency room pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. This is also a rotation in which residents will learn and practice procedures (lumbar punctures, for example).
Inpatient Medicine—Med-Peds residents’ time is split between inpatient wards at UPMC Montefiore and UPMC Shadyside, including one month on the UPMC Presbyterian Pavilion cardiology service, to ensure the broadest inpatient medical training experience. Teams consist of one senior resident and two interns. Overnight, patients are covered by a night float resident.
Medical ICU—This rotation takes place at UPMC Shadyside, which has a large cancer referral base, as it is the primary location of the UPMC Cancer Centers. The team consists of four intern-resident pairs (mini-teams) and an intensivist. Residents become skilled at managing critically ill patients, placing various types of central venous and arterial lines, and holding family meetings. Of note, a critical care attending is there 24 hours a day. There is a night team system to cover patients over night.
Med-Peds Ambulatory Care—During this block, residents have the opportunity to see both adult and pediatric patients. This is a valuable month, as it allows residents to start integrating both aspects of their training (internal medicine and pediatrics). The block is flexible in design, with residents choosing to work in a variety of sites within the UPMC Health System.
Program Year Two (PGY 2)
In the second year, residents take on progressively more responsibility and begin supervising interns.
The individual resident chooses his or her subspecialty electives.
Here is a sample second-year schedule:
| Rotation | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| MICU (M) | UPMC Shadyside | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Med-Peds Ambulatory Care (M) | Ambulatory Rotation | |
| Cardiology (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Child Advocacy Center (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Emergency Department (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Medicine (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Emergency Department (M) | UPMC Presbyterian | |
| Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Adolescent Medicine (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Elective (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Vacation 3 Weeks |
Med-Peds Ambulatory Care—During this block, residents have the opportunity to see both adult and pediatric patients. Residents continue to integrate both aspects of their training (internal medicine and pediatrics) in the ambulatory setting. The block is flexible in design, with residents choosing to work in a variety of sites within the UPMC Health System.
Pediatric Cardiology—On this rotation, residents will work in the inpatient setting for 2 weeks, treating children who have congenital heart disease or heart failure and children who have undergone cardiac procedures. Residents will spend 2 weeks working in the outpatient setting at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh cardiology clinic.
Child Advocacy Center—Senior residents will serve as the supervising resident in the Oakland based primary center center. Residents will care for pediatric patients presenting with acute concerns or for preventive care. Residents will also rotate through the Child Advocacy Center to further develop their skills in caring for patients in the Child, Youth, and Families system and in advocating on behalf of their patients.
Inpatient Medicine—Responsibilities include supervising and teaching the first-year residents in the evaluation and management of each patient from the time of admission to discharge. You will also present cases in morning report, teach medical students, and conduct daily work rounds.
Subspecialty Elective—Examples of subspecialty electives are cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, hematology, oncology, neurology, endocrinology, allergy and immunology, and rheumatology. Residents have also created their own electives, such as sports medicine.
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)—Residents rotate through the PICU at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, one of the largest and most fully staffed in the country. Emphasis is on the pediatric role in critical illness (both medical and surgical) and on stabilizing the seriously ill child. There is a night team to cover patients overnight.
Adolescent Medicine—During this month, residents work in the adolescent clinic and see patients for acute illnesses as well as health maintenance. Residents also participate in the health clinic of incarcerated youth in the Pittsburgh area.
Program Year Three (PGY 3)
In the third year, residents are exposed to an increasing number of subspecialty electives.
The individual resident chooses his or her subspecialty electives such that they have a wide exposure to subspecialty care in adults and children.
Here is a sample third-year schedule:
| Rotation | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Inpatient Medicine (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Geriatrics (M) | UPMC Shadyside | |
| Subspecialty Elective (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Med-Peds Ambulatory Care (P) | Ambulatory Transitional Care Rotation | |
| Delivery Room (P) | Magee Women’s Hospital of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Medicine (M) | UPMC Shadyside | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Montefiore | |
| Emergency Department (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Pediatrics (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Subspecialty Elective (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Pediatric Primary Care Rotation (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Vacation 3 Weeks |
Subspecialty Elective—Examples of subspecialty electives include cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, hematology, oncology, neurology, endocrinology, allergy and immunology, and rheumatology. Residents may choose to do more general electives in sports medicine or transitional care, or may choose to work in the outpatient HIV clinic.
Delivery Room—During this month at Magee-Women’s Hospital of UPMC, residents are responsible for going to deliveries in one of the country’s busiest and best women’s hospitals. Residents become comfortable with newborn resuscitation skills, umbilical line placement, and stabilization of infants.
Med-Peds Ambulatory Care—During the third year, the med-peds ambulatory rotation’s theme is transitional care. Residents have the opportunity to rotate through combined clinics such as the Adolescents and Adults with Congenital Heart Clinic and the Cystic Fibrosis Teen Clinic. The block is flexible in design, with residents choosing to work in a variety of sites within the UPMC Health System.
Pediatric Primary Care Rotation—Senior residents will serve as the supervising resident in the Oakland based primary center center. Residents will care for pediatric patients presenting with acute concerns or for preventive care.
Program Year Four (PGY 4)
In the fourth year, residents are exposed to an increasing number of subspecialty electives.
The individual resident chooses his or her subspecialty electives.
Here is a sample fourth-year schedule:
| Rotation | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Primary Care Rotation/Child Advocacy Center (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Subspecialty Elective (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Night Team (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Ward (M) | UPMC Shadyside | |
| Coronary Care Unit (M) | UPMC Presbyterian | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Presbyterian | |
| Subspecialty Elective (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Inpatient Ward (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Child Development Unit (P) | Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC | |
| Medicine-Pediatrics Ambulatory Care (M-P) | Ambulatory Rotation | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Presbyterian | |
| Subspecialty Elective (M) | UPMC Presbyterian | |
| Vacation 3 Weeks |
Coronary Care Unit (CCU)—This rotation is at UPMC Presbyterian, a major referral center, providing diversity and a large volume of patients to solidify your cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) experience. Residents will become skilled at managing critically ill patients with cardiac illness, placing various types of lines, and holding family meetings. Of note, the ICUs all have 24-hour critical care attending coverage.
Pediatric Primary Care Rotation/Child Advocacy Center—Senior residents will serve as the supervising resident in the Oakland based primary center. Residents will care for pediatric patients presenting with acute concerns or for preventive care. Residents will also rotate through the Child Advocacy Center to further develop their skills in caring for patients in the Child, Youth, and Families system and in advocating on behalf of their patients.
Child Development Unit (CDU)—On this outpatient rotation in a multidisciplinary clinic, residents are exposed to children with a variety of developmental issues, including Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X syndrome, school problems, and behavior difficulties.
Internal Medicine Residency Program
UPMC Montefiore, N-715
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-692-4942
Fax: 412-692-4944
Email
Medicine/Pediatrics
Residency Program
NRMP CODE: 1652700C0
For more information on the program, contact:
Tiffany Thomas, Coordinator
dixont2@upmc.edu
412-692-4945
Mailing Address
Department of Pediatrics
1 Children's Hospital Drive
4401 Penn Avenue
AOB Suite 5400
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
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