We, the members of the Department of Medicine, are embarking on a mission to create, nourish and sustain a residency training curriculum founded on the philosophical ideal of the comprehensive internist.
We believe that the ideal, inclusive, comprehensive internist is characterized as:
- An expert in managing diseases of diverse populations, such as older adolescents and adults, who are equally effective in the office and in the hospital setting.
- A consultant to all populations of patients and generalist physicians - in rural, under-represented and other special environments - for difficult or undifferentiated patient problems, or in areas in which the internist has a unique expertise.
We also believe that the future comprehensive internist will be:
- A compassionate and ethical physician who is a passionate advocate for equity of all patients.
- A physician who is trained in clinical epidemiology, clinical decision-making, and preventive medicine.
- A master of communication, who listens and conveys information effectively, without bias, to patients and colleagues.
- A resource manager who can bring a thoughtful and efficient style of practice to the evaluation and management of diverse patients and their problems.
- A generalist in outlook who possesses special skills to respond to the changing medical and social needs of local communities.
- An effective leader and coordinator of the entire patient care team who can work in a complementary fashion with equality for all members of this team.
- A clinical information manager who can take full advantage of electronically stored data and who can use the most modern technological tools for communication.
- A person who is capable of balancing between personal growth and professional development.
Accordingly, we are committed to designing and developing a curriculum which:
- Offers a solid foundation in the management of patients with complex multi-system disorders, preventive medicine and the delivery of health care.
- Instills a foundation for future training in subspecialty medicine and/or medical research.
- Promotes attributes and skills for life-long learning, inquiry and teaching.
- Develops the skills required to function and excel in multiple practice settings.
- Brings awareness to issues of race, gener, ethnicity, culture, the medically underserved and issues specific to indigenous peoples.
We recognize that the goals of education and service are correlated and are equally essential for the effective training of future comprehensive internists. Consequently, we are committed to providing our residents with a supportive learning environment that enables them to successfully attain those objectives.
We are primary care. Tomorrow is here today. Come grow with us!