Residency Program

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• Environment

  Vanguard 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

  We emphasize an academic approach to problem solving. Evidence-based medicine is taught along with critical thinking skills. Twentyfour-hour access to computers for database searches is available.

• Academic Affiliation

  The Internal Medicine Residency Program at Weiss is affiliated with the University of Illinois. The Transitional Year Program is co-sponsored by the General Surgery Residency program of the University of Illinois, Chicago.
  

• Clinical Skills Development

  All residents receive solid training in basic clinical skills, including comprehensive history and physical examination, thoughtful evidence-based problem solving and development of lifelong learning skills.

  • All Categorical R1s and R3s must pass an observed clinical examination.
  • All residents are required to take the ACP in-training exam every year.

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

• Schedule Samples

  	Preliminary	Internal Medicine	Transitional
  PGY- 1 Year
  Inpatient Services	5 Months	6-7 Months	4 Months
  General Surgery	N/A	N/A	1 Month
  Emergency	1 Month	N/A	1 Month
  ICU	1 Month	2 Months	1 Month
  Night Float	½ Month	½ Month	½ Month
  Electives	2 Months	2 Months	2½ Months
  Ambulatory	1 Month	N/A	1 Month
  Vacation	1 Month	1 Month	1 Month
  PGY- 2 Year
  Inpatient Services	4-5 Months
  ICU	2 Months
  Night Float	N/A
  Electives	2-3 Months
  Psych/Geriatrics	1 Month
  Emergency Dept.	1 Month
  Medical Consult	1 Month
  Vacation	1 Month
  PGY- 3 Year
  Inpatient Services	2-3 Months
  Consult Service	1 Month
  ICU	1 Month
  ICU Night Float	1 Month
  Electives	4-5 Months
  Ambulatory	1 Month
  Psych/Geriatrics	1 Month
  Vacation	1 Month

   

  Note: Night Float is scheduled in 2 two-week blocks.
  Curriculum development is an ongoing process and changes in the schedules may be made as appropriate.

• Available Electives

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

  The required ambulatory month for categorical internal medicine includes clinics in ophthalmology, allergy and immunology, ENT, adolescent medicine, orthopedics, hospice and palliative care, rheumatology and wound care.

  The required ambulatory month for transitional and preliminary year includes clinics in pediatrics, general medicine, general surgery, family medicine and ob/gyn.

• Outside Rotations

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

• Conferences

  • CME Lectures
  • Collaborative Care Rounds
  • Core Lecture Series 
  • Geriatric Conference
  • Grand Rounds
  • Journal Club
  • Morbidity and Mortality Conference
  • Morning Report
  • Organ Rounds
  • Program Director Rounds
  • Psychosocial Rounds
  • Resident Topic Reviews
  • Teaching Rounds at Bedside 
  • Tumor Board

• Scheduled Call

  PGY-1
  Night shift (7 p.m. - 7 a.m.) one week in ICU rotation.
  
  PGY-2 and PGY-3 

  • Overnight call for PGY-2 only in the ICU rotation on Saturday.
  • Scheduled ICU back-up calls during elective weekends for PGY-3 residents.

• Night Float

  Night Float hours are from 9:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. six days a week.
  Call Room and 24-hour access to Resident Lounge with computer.

• Student Program

  Medical students from University of Illinois, Chicago rotate through Weiss Memorial Hospital for twelve weeks as part of their core clerkship in medicine.

• Application Requirements

  For 2012, we offer positions in the categorical internal medicine, preliminary medicine and transitional year programs.
  
  The requirements for applications include:  

  • 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:
    
    • Internal medicine program: 212 in step 1 and step 2
    • Preliminary year program: 212 in step 1
    • Transitional year program: 212 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 who have graduated in the past 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, 2012. ECFMG certification is required for NRMP ranking.
  • J1 visas are the only visas sponsored by the program.
  • U.S. clinical experience, although preferred, is not a requirement for our programs.
  • Three letters of recommendation are required, one of which should preferably be a dean's letter.

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

• Benefits (subject to change)

  • Medical Coverage: PPO – Various Plans 
  • Dental Coverage Available
  • Vision Coverage Available
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Vacation: 4 Weeks
  • Short Term Disability
  • Long Term Disability
  • Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Tax Sheltered Annuity Plans
  • Credit Union
  • Direct Deposit
  • 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-1 and PGY-2 residents receive $800 and PGY-3 residents receive $1,000 for conference fees, related travel expenses and other educational related expenses approved by the Program Administrator.
  • Housing: Many housing options are available locally and throughout Chicago's North Side. Free parking in hospital's parking facility.
  • Download a sample resident contract.

• Salary

  The resident salaries for the 2012-2013 academic year are:

  • PGY1:  $47,116
  • PGY2:  $48,481
  • PGY3:  $49,852

• Location

  Weiss Memorial Hospital is conveniently located at 4646 N. Marine Drive (Wilson at Lake Shore Drive), on the lakefront of the city of Chicago, a major national center for medical education. Chicago is also the home of the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons.

  Beaches on Lake Michigan are within walking distance from the hospital. The Art Institute, Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry and Lincoln Park Zoo are all within easy reach.

  The summer months bring a variety of activities, including art fairs in the Lake View, Gold Coast, Old Town and Hyde Park neighborhoods and free concerts at beautiful Millennium Park. The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre are just a few of the city’s cultural treasures.

  For sports fans, Chicago is home to Cubs and White Sox baseball, Chicago Bulls basketball, Chicago Bears football and Chicago Fire soccer. Beautiful theaters located in downtown Chicago are home to exciting plays, musicals and ballets. Please visit the City of Chicago web site for more information.

  Weiss Memorial Hospital has teamed up with several Chicago professional athletic organizations, including the Chicago Sky professional women's basketball team and the Joffrey Ballet, Chicago’s premier dance company, to become their exclusive healthcare partner, providing them with team physicians.

• Public Transportation

  Weiss Memorial Hospital's location provides easy 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.

• Directory

  Program Director: Shehzad Ali, M.D.

  Associate Director: Allan Tachauer, M.D., F.A.C.P.

  2010-2011 Chief Residents: Mugurel Bazavan, M.D. and Ashvarya Mangla, M.D.

  Program Administrator: Terry N. Tuohy

  Program Coordinator: Karen Verga

  Core Faculty: Hema Azad, M.D., David Balling, M.D., Theodore Balsam, M.D., Nelson Kanter, M.D., Sabah Khan, M.D., Clement Rose, M.D.