The Physician Scientist Development Program (PSDP) in the Department of Medicine is a post graduate training program intended to produce clinically-trained scientists with interests ranging from basic to translational and clinically oriented research. The program accepts qualified applicants who have completed combined MD-PhD degrees (or an MD with equivalent research experience) into a pathway that includes both medical clinical training and post doctoral research.
Message from PSDP Leadership
We are excited to invite you to apply to the new PSDP pathway within the Department of Medicine Residency Program. The University of Chicago offers a unique opportunity for physician-scientists to develop their academic careers early on. This residency path allows the beginning resident to define a unique niche within challenging academic fields in medicine and science. It also allows one to interact with the world's leading physicians, physician-scientists, and scientists.
Ravi Salgia, MD/PhD
Eric Svensson, MD/PhD
PSDP Structure
Internal Medicine Residency Training: The pathway begins with clinical
training in the University of 
Chicago’s
Internal Medicine Residency Training Program. Residents benefit from
exposure to complex and diverse patient populations located on the South
Side of Chicago in an environment that values teaching, camaraderie
and a high level of resident autonomy. PSDP participants are strongly
encouraged to pursue the American Board of Internal Medicine’s
Research Training Pathway (ie. “Short Track”) which allows
qualified candidates to begin their sub-specialty fellowship training
in lieu of their third year of residency.
Clinical Fellowship Training: PSDP participants will be given the opportunity to pursue sub-specialty training in any of the University of Chicago’s Medicine fellowships. The Department of Medicine has 11 nationally recognized ACGME accredited clinical fellowships including fellowships in Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Pulmonary and Critical Care, and Rheumatology. The majority of these fellowships have well established NIH training Grants. There are also a number of non-ACGME fellowship training opportunities in areas ranging from general medicine and hospitalist medicine to ethics.
Post-Doctoral Research: Trainees are given great flexibility in their selection of laboratories and mentors for post doctoral research. Trainees may choose to pursue research within the Department of Medicine or take advantage of a host of opportunities located throughout the University’s Biological Sciences Division. The University of Chicago is the home to a number of world class research centers including the Ben May Cancer Research Center, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, the Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus & Immunology Research, the University of Chicago Institute for Cardiovascular Research, the Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, the MacLean Center for Medical Ethics, the Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Center.
Transition to Junior Faculty Position: Trainees who apply for an external career development grant award in the final year of their fellowship will be given automatic consideration for "bridge" funding and will be awarded a faculty position in their respective section. This bridge funding therefore guarantees assistance in the transition from fellowship to a junior faculty position within the University of Chicago's Department of Medicine.
Curriculum
During the first two years of the program, trainees enter a formal mentorship program that encourages participation in journal club and laboratory meetings. In addition, residents meet regularly with a senior physician scientist of their choice to explore career paths and potential areas of interest.
Trainees are invited to attend a regular seminar series in areas of interest. These seminars include the Molecular Medicine Seminar program, the Immunology series, the Molecular Biosciences Seminar Series, and Seminar series from each Section within Medicine.
Additional Support
Trainees within the PSDP are guaranteed stipend support for residency and fellowship training. Throughout the entire length of the program, the trainees receive additional financial resources to support their educational needs:
PGY1 / PGY2: During internship and the junior year of residency, trainees will receive educational funding of $3000 / year to support the purchase of computers, software, journal subscriptions and conference registration.
Clinical Fellowship: During the year(s) of clinical fellowship training, trainees will receive educational funding of $3000 / year to support the purchase of computers, software, journal subscriptions and conference registration.
Research FellowshipYears: During research years trainees will receive
a $15,000 / year supplement to their salary.
Application Process
Eligible candidates must have an MD-PhD or an MD with a strong background
in research. They must also meet eligibility requirements for the University
of Chicago’s Internal Medicine Residency Training Program.
Candidates must declare their interest in the Physician Scientist Development
Program during the application process to the University of Chicago
Internal Medicine Residency Program. The application requirements for
the PSDP are the same as for the categorical training program with the
exception of an additional application form and a mandatory letter from
the candidate’s PhD mentor or research supervisor. Candidates
must apply to both the conventional categorical residency program and
the PSDP. The supplemental application
form should be sent to address outlined below.
Candidates for the PSDP will have a two day interview process. The first day will be a visit and interviews with the categorical internal medicine residency training program. The second day will be a visit with PSDP leadership and interviews with potential fellowship faculty and research mentors. This second day will be tailored to the candidates needs based on the content of the PSDP application form and discussion with the candidate prior to the interview day.
Once accepted, a PSDP trainee may pursue the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Research Pathway (ie. “Short Track”) as long as the trainee complies with requirements as outlined by the ABIM AND maintains training evaluations at a level of “high satisfactory” or better.
For More Information:
Ravi Salgia, MD/PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Co-Director, Physician Scientist Development Program University of Chicago,
Department of Medicine
(773) 702-4399; rsalgia@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Eric Svensson, MD/PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Co-Director, Physician Scientist Development Program University of Chicago,
Department of Medicine
(773) 834-0313; esvensso@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Send Supplemental Application Form and Letter to:
PSDP Coordinator, Department of Medicine
5841 S. Maryland, MC 7082
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Phone (773) 702-0309
Fax (773) 702-2230
Email psdp@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
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