Core Curriculum

A Dynamic & Balanced Clinical Experience

Focused Learning with the X+Y Curriculum

Our internal medicine residency curriculum is designed as a X+Y block schedule. This approach ensures that a balance is provided between inpatient clinical experiences and ambulatory rotations. Each resident is placed into a cohort consisting of inpatient medicine and one week of ambulatory experience. Three week blocks will consist of inpatient or subspecialty rotations, followed by a one week block of ambulatory medicine, outpatient subspecialty rotations, elective or administrative/research time. The structure of the schedule has improved resident satisfaction of inpatient and ambulatory rotations by minimizing disruptions and enhancing continuity.

Core Rotations Include

Over the course of the three-year internal medicine residency programs, each of our residents will spend time on each of the following rotations:

• Cardiology
• Critical Care (including MICU and CCU)
• Didactics and Quality Improvement
• Elective
• Emergency Medicine (MAR)
• Endocrinology
• Geriatrics
• Hematology and Oncology
• Hospice Service
• Infectious Disease
• Nephrology
• Night float
• Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Stroke and Neurology
• Medical Floor:
  • Team B (hospitalist-led inpatient medicine teams)
  • Team C and D (faculty-led inpatient medicine ward teams)

First Year Internal Medicine Residency (PGY-1) Rotation

• Adult Inpatient Medicine - 16 Weeks (wards and Hospitalist team)
• Medical ICU - 12 weeks
• Night Float - 8 weeks
• Ambulatory Medicine - 10 weeks
• Elective - 2 weeks
• Vacation - 4 weeks

Second Year Internal Medicine Residency (PGY-2) Rotation

• Adult Inpatient Medicine - 5 weeks
• Night Float - 8 weeks
• Critical Care Unit (CCU) - 6 weeks
• Clinic - 9 weeks
• Elective - 6 weeks
• Vacation - 4 weeks
• Specialty - 14 weeks (Endocrinology, Cardiology, Heme/Onc, Nephrology, ID, Gi)

Third Year Internal Medicine Residency (PGY-3) Rotation

• General Medicine - 8 weeks
• Elective - 6 weeks
• ICU (day/night) - 8 weeks
• MAR - 6 weeks
• Pulmonary - 2 weeks
• Medical Consult - 2 weeks
• Didactics &QI - 2 weeks
• Clinic - 10 weeks
• Geriatrics - 2 weeks
• Stroke Neurology - 2 weeks
• Vacation - 4 weeks

Electives

Explore Your Interests Through Elective Rotations

Elective rotations are a cornerstone of your residency training, offering valuable opportunities to delve into areas of personal interest, cultivate specialized skills, and strategically advance your career goals. We are committed to providing a flexible and enriching elective experience to help you achieve your professional aspirations.

Our program offers a diverse range of in-house elective rotations. We also encourage and support residents in pursuing away rotations at other institutions, both within and outside the Hackensack Meridian Health network, with prior program approval. 

Inpatient Elective Opportunities

Residents can choose from the following inpatient electives, typically lasting one to two weeks:

• Cardiology
• Emergency Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Geriatrics
• Hematology/Oncology
• Hospitalist Medicine
• Infectious Disease
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Palliative Care
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Rheumatology

Ambulatory Elective Opportunities

Experience patient care in an outpatient setting through these elective options:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Ambulatory Hematology-Oncology
• Ambulatory Pulmonary Medicine
• Cardiology Outpatient
• Primary Care (Hope Tower Faculty Practice and other)

Specialized & Advanced Electives

• Research: A dedicated research elective is available for residents wishing to engage in scholarly activity. The rotation must be arranged with a designated attending physician.
• Board Review: A one-week board review elective is offered exclusively for PGY-3 residents to support preparation for ABIM exam.

Night Float

Our night float rotation is a designated block of overnight shifts to prevent 24-hour call shifts for residents. Night float rotations typically consist of 12 hour overnight shifts with designated days off. Rotation is typically 2-3 weeks. Night float responsibilities consist of overnight management of teaching-patients, teaching-patient admissions, and rapid response coverage. During the day, overnight residents will sign out to their day team colleagues, allowing the opportunity to maintain a consistent sleep schedule to prevent fatigue and burnout.

Evaluations & Advisors

Coaching and Career Development Program

The Mentorship Program is one of the crucial aspects of that vision. This program aims to provide residents guidance not only through their time at JSUMC, but also to establish future goals and create a unique experience during residency. Focus is placed on establishing individualized goals for trainees and creating action plans on development. Program consist of focus on career goals, academic performance, networking and professional development.

Feedback Fridays

Monthly sessions held with the Chair of Medicine. Residents are given key updates for the Department of Medicine, JSUMC and Hackensack Meridian Health. Residents are also given a forum to express feedback to the program leadership in a confidential manner. The conference is also used to share ideas, recognize achievements and foster productive dialogue.

Mastering Outpatient Practice at the Jane H. Booker Family Health Center

A short drive from the main hospital, the Jane H. Booker Family Health Center is the heart of our community-focused outpatient training. This is where our residents will build their own patient panel and serve as a primary care physician to a diverse population from the Asbury Park and Neptune areas.

Under direct faculty supervision, residents manage every aspect of your patients' care:

• Conducting new, follow-up, and pre-operative visits
• Managing chronic conditions and medications
• Following up on labs and imaging
• Serving as the primary point of contact for your patients

This immersive experience provides outstanding preparation for independent primary care practice, ensuring you graduate with the confidence and skills to excel in the ambulatory setting. The center offers a wide array of services under one roof, including primary care, women's health, dentistry, and multiple subspecialties, providing a truly comprehensive care environment.