Our goal is to prepare future internists for a wide range of career paths, including careers in academic medicine, primary care and subspecialty clinical practice. Training occurs at two sites, the University of Illinois Hospital and the West Side Veterans Administration Hospital. Both provide primary and tertiary care to a large number of patients, many of whom look to the residents as their primary health care providers. The faculty and all departmental conferences are fully integrated across both institutions. In both the inpatient and outpatient settings, residents have substantial primary decision-making responsibility and develop strong relationships with their patients.
Education is a priority, with housestaff serving in the role of both learner and teacher.
A teacher-training program is offered each year to help prepare housestaff for their leadership and teaching responsibilities. The resident's obligation to be a role model for more junior trainees is emphasized to foster the development of an ethical and compassionate approach to patient and colleague interactions and to encourage a scientific approach to clinical care decisions. The city of Chicago provides an extraordinary backdrop for residency training. The 'city of big shoulders' offers a rich mixture of recreational and cultural activities. Together, Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Medicine offer an exciting environment for professional and personal growth.