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Residency Program

Environment
Weiss Memorial Hospital is a university affiliated community hospital located in an area with a diverse patient base. The age, ethnic, and cultural diversity reflects a cross section of the population. A varied case mix covering primary to tertiary care is available.

Evidence Based Medicine
Strong emphasis is placed on the academic approach to problem solving. Evidence-based medicine is taught along with critical thinking skills. Twenty-four hour access to computers for database searches is available.

University of Chicago Partnership
Weiss Memorial Hospital is affiliated with the University of Chicago Hospitals. Pritzker School of Medicine is the sponsor of the internal medicine program, and the University of Chicago general surgery residency program is the cosponsor of the transitional year program.  Surgical residents from the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago rotate at Weiss, as well as anesthesia residents from the University of Chicago.

Clinical Skills Development
Regardless of the career path, all residents receive solid training in basic clinical skills, including comprehensive history and physical examination, thoughtful evidence-based problem solving, and lifelong learning skills.

• All R1s and R3s must pass an observed clinical examination.

Commitment to Education
All programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.  Weiss Memorial Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Graduate Programs

• Transitional Program
• Preliminary Medicine Program (one year)
• Categorical Internal Medicine Program (three years)

	Preliminary	Internal Medicine	Transitional
Inpatient Services	5 Months	5-6 Months	4 Months
Surgery	N/A	N/A	1 Month
Emergency Department	1 Month	1 Month	1 Month
ICU	1 Month	2 Months	1 Month
Night Float	1 Month	1 Month	1 Month
Electives	2 Months	1-2 Months	2 Months
Ambulatory	1 Month	N/A	1 Month
Vacation	1 Month	1 Month	1 Month

PGY-2 Year

General Medicine	4 Months
ICU	2 Months
Night Float	1 Month
Electives	2 Months
Psych/Geriatrics	1 Month
Consult Service	1 Month
Vacation	1 Month

PGY-3 Year

General Medicine	3-4 Months
ICU	1 Month
Night Float	1 Month
Electives	5-6 Months
Vacation	1 Month

Available Electives

Cardiology	Hematology/Oncology	Orthopedics
Community Medicine	Hospitalist	PM&R
Critical Care	Infectious Diseases	Pulmonary
Endocrinology	Nephrology	Radiation Oncology
Gastroenterology	Neurology	Radiology
General Surgery	Nuclear Medicine	Rheumatology
Geriatrics	Ophthalmology	Urology

The required ambulatory month for categorical internal medicine includes clinics in endocrinology, urology, allergy, internal medicine, dermatology, adolescent medicine, orthopedics, and ob/gyn.

The required ambulatory month for transitional year includes clinics in vascular surgery, ENT, ophthalmology, general medicine, general surgery, adolescent medicine, and ob/gyn.

Outside Rotations
University of Chicago: Most specialties available.
Other outside rotations may be arranged by resident with approval of Program Director.

Conferences
CME Lectures
Daily Noon Lectures
Geriatric Conference
Grand Rounds
Joint Surgical M&M
Journal Club
M&M
Morning Report
Organ Rounds
Program Director Rounds
Psychosocial Rounds
Resident Topic Reviews
Tumor Boards

Scheduled Call

PGY-1 (Floor Call)
Overnight call is approximately once per month on the medical service and every fourth night in the ICU.

PGY-2 and PGY-3 (Floor Call)

• Overnight call approximately once per month.
• Scheduled ICU back-up calls during elective weekends.

Night Float
Night Float calls are from 8:00 pm - 8:00 am six days a week.
Resident Lounge with computer access 24 hours a day.

Application Requirements
For 2008, we offer positions in the categorical internal medicine, preliminary medicine, and transitional year programs.

The requirements for applications are as follows:

• All applications must be sent through ERAS.  We will not accept faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications.
• We have no deadline for applications other than the one determined by the ERAS system.
• The minimum score requirements are as follows:
• Internal medicine program:  82 in step 1 and step 2
• Preliminary year program:  90 in step 1
• Transitional year program:  90 in step 1
• Scores cannot be combined for an average required score.
• Although we have no definite cut-off period from the year of medical school graduation, applicants that have graduated in the last three years are preferred.
• International graduates do not need an ECFMG certificate in order to apply; however, they do need to be ECFMG certified prior to the end of the interview season, which is February 15, 2006.  ECFMG certification is required for NRMP ranking. 
• J1 visas are sponsored by the program.  For those candidates already holding an H-1B visa, we could arrange continuing sponsorship; however, we cannot initiate the H-1B visa process.
• U.S. clinical experience, although preferred, is not a requirement for our programs.

If you have further questions, please e-mail the Medical Education Department at meded@weisshospital.com.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage: HMO or PPO
• Dental Coverage Available
• Vision Coverage Available
• Vacation: 4 Weeks
• Paid Sick Time: Up to 10 days per year
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tax Sheltered Annuity Plans
• Credit Union
• Direct Deposit Available
• Meals: Free Breakfast every weekday up to maximum of $3.00. Free evening meals while on call. Residents on call on weekends also receive meal tickets for breakfast.
• Educational Stipend: PGY-3 residents receive $1,000 for conference fees and related travel expenses or other educational related expenses approved by the Program Director.
• Housing: A variety of housing options are available locally and throughout Chicago's North Side. Free parking in hospital's parking facility
• Click here to download a sample resident contract

Location
Weiss Memorial Hospital is located in one of the nation's leading centers for medical education, offering varied opportunities for participation in specialty and subspecialty society activities.  Weiss is conveniently located at 4646 N. Marine Drive (Wilson at Lake Shore Drive).  Beaches on Lake Michigan are within walking distance of the hospital.  View a Map of Weiss Memorial Hospital.

Chicago is the home of the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons.

The Art Institute, Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, Alder Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, and Lincoln Park Zoo are within easy reach.

Chicago is an architectural treasure house with something for everyone:

• Elegant stores on Michigan Avenue
• Millennium Park
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Ethnic Neighborhoods
• Gold Coast, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and Hyde Park Art Fairs
• Variety of Theater
• Cubs and White Sox Baseball
• Chicago Bulls Basketball
• Chicago Bears Football
• Chicago Fire Soccer
• Visit the City of Chicago web site for more information

Public Transportation
Weiss Memorial Hospital's location provides access to public transportation with buses that stop in front of the hospital. The L trains are only four blocks from the hospital. Easy connections are made to either O'Hare or Midway Airports via the L trains or combination of bus routes and the L trains.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you accept applications outside ERAS?
No, we only accept applications submitted through ERAS.

What are the required documents?
At a minimum, we require the following:

• USMLE scores
• Medical school transcripts
• Letters of recommendation (3)

Is a letter of recommendation from the dean or chair of medicine required?
For U.S. graduates, we require a dean’s letter.  For international medical graduates, it is not required, although it is preferred.

What are specific requirements for international medical graduates?

• A letter from the dean or chair of medicine is preferred.
• One of the letters of recommendation from a U.S. teaching institution is preferred.
• U.S. clinical experience is appreciated but not necessary.
• We prefer candidates who pass USMLE in one attempt.

How many letters of recommendation are required?
At least three letters of recommendation are required, including a dean’s letter (if available).

What visas do you sponsor?
We sponsor J1 visas.  For those candidates already holding an H-1B visa, we could arrange continuing sponsorship; however, we cannot initiate the H-1B visa process.

Where did some of your graduates go?
Many of our graduates went into fellowships, such as cardiology, pulmonary critical care, nephrology, infectious disease, geriatrics, endocrinology, and hematology-oncology.  Others chose primary care or hospitalist positions.

Do you offer observerships?
Not at this time.

Do you offer prematch positions?
For a few selected candidates, we may offer prematch positions.

Is USMLE Step 3 required?
No.

Do you accept international medical graduates (IMGs)?
A large number of our residents come from various countries around the globe.

Can you provide specific statistics (such as scores, percentage of IMGs, board passing rates, etc.)?
We do not keep track of this data; however, NRMP, ABIM, and ACGME may have some of the numbers you are looking for on their websites.