Research and Service
Research Opportunities
A resident-oriented research curriculum, extending across the three years of residency, provides a structure for residents to be involved in meaningful, longitudinal research projects. Beginning intern year, we supervise and guide the selection of mentors and help cultivate informal relationships that develop on the wards. During the PGY-2 year, residents participate in a special course to learn research basics including topics such as IRB application, practical biostatistics and study design.
We also offer the ABIM Research Pathway Track for qualified applicants with previous research experience. After completion of two years of Internal Medicine, residents on this track go directly into fellowship, typically with additional research years during fellowship (please note that a separate application is required for this option).
Resident Research
All Internal Medicine residents are required to perform a research project during their residency. This fosters an understanding of research techniques, biostatistics and interpretation of the literature. Research opportunities are available within all subspecialties and in the basic sciences. The resident outpatient practice, University Medical Associates, offers another source for clinical research projects.
All residents present their research at the end of their third year at the Carey-Marshall-Thorner Research Conference, a university-wide research day. Many residents also publish and present their work at state and national meetings (e.g., American College of Physicians).
Note: If you would like to explore basic or clinical research in greater depth during your residency, please indicate this at the time you arrange an interview and identify one or two subspecialty areas that interest you. We will arrange a tour of our research facilities and a time for you to meet with faculty investigators in your areas of interest.
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"The UVA Internal Medicine residency program has many unique features that make the resident experience wonderful. There are many opportunities to become involved in clinical and basic science research conducted by our internationally-recognized faculty. As an intern, you are set up with a faculty mentor in the medicine specialty you plan to pursue after residency, and this mentor can direct you to research projects in that specialty. You may become involved in projects started by faculty and fellows or develop a new project as a PI and primary author under the direction of faculty mentors. The program allows a “specials” month during years 2-3, specifically dedicated to your research. And there is grant support available and protected time to present your research at national academic conferences. During residency, I became involved in projects in GI-Hepatology: first author in a case report “Clear Cell Hepatocellular Carcinoma Arising 25 Years after the Successful Treatment of an Infantile Hepatoblastoma”; a project on the use of covered self expanding metallic stent (CSEMS) placement during endoscopic papillectomy of ampullary adenomas; and a retrospective study of refractory celiac disease patients. Excellent clinical training combined with the opportunity to conduct research allows residents to become well-rounded physicians who match well for fellowship." |
Community Service
In addition to the planned curriculum, residents are involved in several unique community service activities.
Many residents volunteer to participate in the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic held in Wise, Virginia, five hours from Charlottesville in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This University-supported activity provides health care to underserved populations who come to the annual clinic from a 4-5 state area. Services include mammography, colon cancer screening, retinal screening via telemedicine technology, and some gynecological procedures. Comprehensive screening for diabetes and hypertension was a special focus at a recent clinic. Each year, more than 250 UVA Health System volunteers provide care to more than 1,000 patients over the three-day event.
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"Having grown up in rural southwest Virginia, I understand well the important role that UVA serves to provide medical care to patients across the state. My favorite aspect of residency is serving patients from rural Virginia who often travel long distances to come for care. My most gratifying service experience involved journeying to remote Wise, Virginia to volunteer at the RAM event where UVA providers and other volunteers provided an estimated $1mill in free medical and dental care to rural patients in need. As a UVA resident, I am proud of the work we do and charmed by the people we serve." |
The Charlottesville Free Clinic was founded in 1992 by two University of Virginia Internal Medicine residents. Many residents volunteer at this non-profit clinic that provides free care and medications to the working poor population of Charlottesville and surrounding counties and other patients who "fall through the cracks" of the health care system. Since the clinic's inception, many Internal Medicine Residents have taken major roles in both provision of medical care and administrative functions such as medical directorship.
