Curriculum

4+2!

Our rotations are scheduled according to a 4+2 model during PGY-1 and PGY-2.

During PGY-3 and PGY-4 years we have a modified 4+2 model allowing for flexibility with unique electives and
independent curriculum. 4+2 means you will have four weeks of an inpatient rotation, followed by
two weeks of ambulatory medicine or inpatient consults. In general, you will not have to attend
continuity clinic while you are your inpatient rotations so you can focus on your clinical duties.
In some rare circumstances, you may go to clinic on an inpatient rotation; however, if
this occurs, we will ensure adequate inpatient flexibility and/or provide coverage. Both the
categorical IM and Peds programs also follow a 4+2 model.

Sample PGY-1 Schedule:

Block Rotation
1a General Pediatrics Pediatrics w/ Endocrinology, Rheumatology (Maroon)
1b General Pediatrics Night Float / Ambulatory Clinic
2a Med-Peds Ambulatory Clinic
2b Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
3a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
3b Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP)
4a General Medicine Inpatient (Gens)
4b Adult Inpatient Heme/Onc (HONC)
5a Adult Infectious Disease Consults
5b Vacation
6a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
6b Adult Inpatient Heme/Onc (HONC)
7a Geriatrics Clinic
7b Mother Baby Unit (MBU)
8a Mother Baby Unit (MBU)
8b Child Abuse and Pediatrics Advocacy
9a Vacation
9b General Pediatrics w/ GI, Nephrology, Cardiology (Silver)
10a General Pediatrics Pediatrics w/ Endocrinology, Rheumatology (Maroon)
10b Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP)
11a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
11b General Medicine Inpatient (Gens)
12a Med-Peds Ambulatory Clinic
12b Adult Inpatient Cardiology
13a Cardiac/Coronary Care Unit
13b Adult Nephrology Consults

Intern Year

The goal for intern year is to provide broad exposure to inpatient and ambulatory Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Rotations are in two-week blocks with switches between Medicine and Pediatrics every 3 months. The intern is exposed to critical care rotations in the Medical ICU, Cardiac ICU, and Neonatal ICU. In addition, interns are brought into the Med-Peds continuity practice during non-ICU inpatient and outpatient sessions. During the Med-Peds Ambulatory Block, interns grow even more comfortable in their clinic and are provided experiences to explore specialty or adolescent/young adult clinics. The ambulatory rotation pairs interns and 4th year residents to facilitate direct mentorship and support.

Medicine Pediatrics
Inpatient General Medicine Comer Inpatient General Pediatrics  (1 week of nights)
Heme Onc (solid and/or liquid oncology) Comer Inpatient GI/Nephrology/General Pediatrics Service
Inpatient Cardiology / CCU Comer NICU (overnight call)
MICU (Medical Intensive Care) GCN (Well Baby Nursery)
Consults (ID, renal, pulm, cards) Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Outpatient Geriatrics 2 weeks / Vacation 2 weeks Child Protective Services 2 weeks / Vacation 2 weeks
Med-Peds: MP Ambulatory (pair with PGY 4 in quatro)

Second Year

For 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year residents, flexibility is afforded by allowing residents to switch between Medicine and Pediatrics as frequently as every month – with rotation changes every 2-4 weeks – to allow residents to explore future careers and meet educational goals. During second year, further foundational experiences in General Medicine and General Pediatrics are provided with the resident serving as a senior/supervisory resident. During Medicine rotations, there is flexibility in the selection of service for the second inpatient experience between Cardiology, Supportive Oncology, and General Medicine. During Pediatrics, residents gain additional experience with inpatient General and Subspecialty Pediatrics. Additionally, critical care experience is furthered with the first rotation in the PICU, and supervisory experience in the CCU, MICU, and NICU. Throughout their 2nd through 4th years, residents maintain their continuity practices as well as Med-Peds Ambulatory Blocks.

Medicine Pediatrics
General Medicine Inpatient Senior Comer Inpatient GI/Neurology/General Pediatrics Senior
Inpatient Senior (two 2-week blocks: Solid Oncology, Cardiology, or General Medicine) Inpatient Hematology-Oncology
CCU Senior 2 weeks / MICU Night Float Senior 2 weeks NICU Comer or NorthShore (Evanston)
Emergency Department PICU
Consults, Elective or Research Adolescent, Consults, or Elective
Geriatrics 2 weeks / Vacation 2 weeks ED 2 weeks / Vacation 2 weeks
Med-Peds: MP Ambulatory

Third Year

During third year, supervisory experience is maintained with inpatient experience in Medicine on any floor service and with General Pediatrics at Comer. Additional General Pediatrics inpatient experiences can be at Northshore Hospital in Evanston, La Rabida Hospital in South Shore, or Saint Anthony’s Hospital on the West Side of Chicago depending on resident’s choice. Residents interested in the LUCENT primary care program may substitute ICU rotations for dedicated primary care blocks. There are several options to allow for an individualized curriculum while maintaining ACGME requirements.

Medicine Pediatrics
Inpatient Senior (General Medicine, Cardiology, Solid Oncology) Comer Inpatient General Pediatrics Senior
Inpatient Cardiology Senior NICU Comer or North Shore (Evanston) – may opt out if LUCENT or with permission for individualized curriculum
MICU Senior (opt out if LUCENT) ED 2 weeks / Inpatient General Pediatrics Night Senior 2 weeks
Consults, Elective, or Research Additional Inpatient Senior, or Adolescent, Consults, Elective or Research
Consults, Elective, or Research Consults, Adolescent, Elective or Research
Consults, Elective, or Research 2 weeks / Vacation 2 weeks ED 2 weeks / Vacation 2 weeks
Med-Peds: MP Ambulatory

Fourth Year

Med-Peds 4th year residents complete ACGME requirements while pursuing individualized curricula in the final year. They also receive professional development as Chief Residents focusing on a leadership activity of their choice. Working with their advisors and the program director, residents meet all ACGME requirements and have the flexibility to pursue interests like global health, transition care, ethics, education, or research. Examples in recent years include residents completing University of Chicago fellowships in Medical Ethics, Medical Education, and the LUCENT primary care track.

Medicine Pediatrics
Any supervisory senior inpatient month (e.g. General Medicine, Cards, Heme-Onc, MICU) Any supervisory senior inpatient month  (e.g. Inpatient General Pediatrics at Comer or offsite, Hem-Onc, GI/Neuro subspecialty services)
Consults, Elective or Research Consults 2 weeks / Day Float/Sick Call 2 weeks
Consults, Elective or Research Consults, Adolescent, Elective or Research
Consults, Elective or Research Consults, Adolescent, Elective or Research
Consults, Elective or Research Elective, Adolescent, or Research
Consults, Elective or Research / Vacation ED 2 weeks / Vacation 2 weeks
Med-Peds: MP Ambulatory

Neurology Consults should be done on Medicine during a 2-week consult block or shared with Procedure Service.