Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago

Internal Medicine Residency

Why choose us?

The Internal Medicine Department is the largest department at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago, offering residents both a strong clinical experience and a well-structured didactic environment. We are a multinational residency program offering a diverse and enriching experience for both residents and faculty. Our program focuses on teaching residents the value of strong doctor-patient relationships. As a community hospital, our program teaches residents the value of cultural sensitivity and hands-on experience to improve cross-cultural and diverse patient populations. The program also boasts a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory, cancer clinic and digital radiology system.

A well-balanced curriculum

The national trend in medicine has been a movement of patient care activities from the inpatient environment to the outpatient environment. Our hospital is fortunate to have gifted and committed faculty in both inpatient and outpatient settings, allowing our training program to reflect that trend.

Our first-year residents begin their training with a two-month introductory course. This Intern Workshop introduces residents to skills required in both ambulatory and inpatient settings to integrate into daily clinical workflow. Some examples of the workshops are pelvic exam workshop, writing history and physical workshop, IPASS signout workshop, burnout prevention, introduction to POCUS and many more useful topics.

The continuity clinic experience is conducted at two locations, including Laboure Clinic and a westside CommunityHealth free clinic serving the immigrant and low-income patient populations. Laboure Clinic is a unique experience serving the LGBTQ patients from the surrounding Boystown neighborhood and also geriatric patients from neighboring assisted living communities.

The outpatient training also includes ambulatory rotations in geriatrics, emergency medicine and primary care rotations. In addition, residents also participate in ambulatory rotations that involve varied experiences in private and group practice clinics: heart station, surgery clinic, ophthalmology, HIV clinic, dietician clinic, cardiology outpatient clinic, wound care clinic and urogynecology clinic. When residents attend subspeciality rotations, they do both inpatient rounds and outpatient subspecialty clinics.

“Internal Medicine Residency Program at [Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago] helped me build a strong foundation in clinical medicine. The interactive morning reports in the presence of faculty and program directors provided excellent opportunities for me to think outside of the box and solve the challenging clinical questions.”

Mandeep Acharya, MD
Class of 2012

Supportive environment

The faculty and staff are truly committed to the success of the trainees. Education and patient care are the focus of our faculty who strive to help the residents realize their goals. The faculty stand ready to help create individualized paths to facilitate the achievement of each person's success.

“The fact that I get to wake up every morning, knowing that I am headed to ‘class’ surrounded by supportive colleagues, teaching and non-teaching staff who care about you and sport the best smiles in the world, is one of the many things I love about doing my residency at [Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago]. And another thing, you just can’t beat that view.”

Thomas Varghese, MD, MBA
Class of 2019

Resident wellness

True camaraderie exists among the residents. The program supports the development of a community feel with social outings throughout the year. We have a dedicated wellness committee involved in planning and executing wellness activities throughout the year. Activities include: 

  • Potluck and outdoor activities: They provide the perfect setting for residents to come together, sharing not only multicultural homemade dishes but also the laughter and stories that enrich their relationships. In addition, we organize group outings to Chicago's renowned museums, aquarium and zoo, creating memorable moments that extend beyond the hospital walls.
  • Outdoor sporting activities: Organizing sports like soccer, volleyball, bowling and table tennis encourages physical activity and healthy competition. It also strengthens team dynamics.
  • Creative activities: Activities like pumpkin carving, canvas painting and making gingerbread houses foster creativity and allow residents to unwind and express themselves. 
  • Open pantry: An open pantry with snacks and drinks is available to the residents in the house staff lounge. This is a convenience for residents to grab a quick bite or refreshment during their busy daily work schedules.
  • Monthly resident recognition award: We celebrate residents who display outstanding work ethic, including teamwork, compassionate bedside communication, immense enthusiasm for learning and/or admirable professionalism. They are awarded a certificate by the chief residents and a gift of appreciation from the program director.
  • Resident Week: Rather than confining our appreciation to a single day, we dedicate an entire week to celebrating our residents during Resident Week. Fun activities and heartfelt tokens of gratitude from the residency program fill this special week, reinforcing our deep appreciation for their dedication.
  • Birthday celebration: We ensure that every resident's birthday is a cause for celebration. Our wellness committee arranges for a monthly birthday bash, complete with delicious cake to mark the occasion.
  • Assign mentors: After the MATCH season, we go a step further by assigning resident mentors to incoming residents. This invaluable support system helps newcomers seamlessly navigate the onboarding process, making their transition into our program smoother.

Overall, our program prioritizes not only the professional development of residents but also their overall well-being and sense of belonging within the community. These activities and support mechanisms contribute to a positive and enriching experience for all involved.

 

Hospital quality

The medical staff and administration of Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago take great pride in the hospital's recognition for clinical excellence and patient safety by HealthGrades, the largest independent hospital rating company. Residents benefit from an opportunity to train in an environment in which the goal is always the highest quality of care.