Career Development - Internal Medicine

Sub-specialties include adolescent medicine, advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology, allergy and immunology, cardiovascular disease, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, critical care medicine, endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, gastroenterology, geriatric medicine, hematology, hospice and palliative medicine, hospital medicine, infectious disease, interventional cardiology, nephrology, oncology, pulmonary disease, rheumatology, sleep medicine, sports medicine, and transplant hepatology.

Qualities recognized as important to internal medicine include:

• Communication, communication, communication!
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Critical thinking and problem solving

We have over 100 faculty in the department of medicine, and there are research opportunities available in most areas. One way to find out about research in the department and to make some contacts is to attend our research conference. These are held the 3rd Monday of the month at noon in the 7th floor library (room 7001) of the School of Medicine building.

Additionally, students may want to pursue research opportunities through the DeBakey Scholars Program. This program offers medical students the opportunity to pursue and complete a longitudinal, structured, closely supervised research experience culminating in a capstone presentation prior to graduation. For more information, contact Dr. Derek Pociask. 

The C. Thorpe Ray Society is dedicated to promoting the ideals and interests of the field of Internal Medicine through both social and academic functions. Participation in this organization provides students with additional opportunities to pursue an interest and increase knowledge in the field of Internal Medicine. Group functions also provide students with the opportunity to interact with the Internal Medicine faculty on an informal basis. The Society’s monthly academic meetings cover a broad range of topics that allow for learning and discussion of issues important to Internal Medicine. Through participation, students become more prepared for their clinical experiences in the field of Internal Medicine. The old tradition of the rorning report has taken on new form as part of the Society’s yearlong series of luncheons, round-table discussions, and increasingly, interactive problem solving sessions. Social events hosted by the C. Thorpe Ray Society include the Annual Wine & Cheese party and a Residency Match Panel. The Society also has the honor of presenting the Medicine Clerkship Award to the most outstanding student of each third year Medicine rotation.

Dr. Kristin Bateman---specialty advisor

There are no IM elective opportunities available for T3's, while they complete the core internal medicine clerkship. Within the clerkship, students will do two weeks of a subspecialty and will get to choose between cardiology, renal, gastroenterology, infectious disease, and hematology-oncology. As a T4 who is interested in applying to IM residency, an acting internship (AI) rotation in IM is strongly encouraged. Aside from this rotation, there are over 50 elective choices for internal medicine; choose any that appeal to you. Aside from the AI, elective choice will not affect residency application.

Sample-T4-MED-Schedule.pdf

Summary Statistics (from "Charting Outcomes in the Match 2022")

Matched N = 3,024

Note: Only U.S. MD seniors who gave consent to use their information in research are included.

*Only applicants who reporting taking Step 1 prior to the transition to pass/fail included.

There are no special considerations when applying to this residency.

Important Advice

Applying to Internal Medicine is generally not competitive, provided you apply to a range of programs.

Try to develop a working relationship with one or more IM faculty who can give you feedback on various parts of your ERAS application, including your personal statement and places to apply.

AAMC Careers in Medicine

NRMP's Charting Outcomes in the Match 2024

NRMP's Program Director Survey 2024

Tulane’s Medicine Department

Determining the Optimal Number of Program Applications

Dr. Chakraborti's ERAS application tips

Dr. Katrina D’Aquin can put you in touch with potential mentors.