Application

Physician-Scientist Training Pathway

The Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) in the Department of Internal Medicine is committed to training physician scientists and preparing them for successful careers in academic medicine. The program focuses on the period from the completion of the combined MD-PhD degree through the clinical and post-doctoral research training years, culminating in a full-time academic appointment. The PSTP combines the intensive clinical training environment of Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University Medical Center with the rigorous scientific training of the world-renowned laboratories at Washington University. Trainees will obtain their internal medicine training in the Categorical Internal Medicine training Program and then have the opportunity to continue their subspecialty clinical training amongst any of the ten clinical divisions within the Department of Internal Medicine. Post-doctoral research training can be conducted in any laboratory within Washington University.

For the Academic Dermatology applicant, training consists of completion of a PGY-1 year in the Washington University Preliminary Internal Medicine program followed by 3 years of dermatology residency.  The 3rd year of dermatology may be set up as a 75% research and 25% clinical format in preparation for post-doctoral research training in any laboratory within Washington University.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants include graduates with a combined MD-PhD degree or a MD degree and a strong record of basic science research experience. Applicants must fulfill all eligibility requirements for the Categorical Internal Medicine Training Program. The most competitive candidates will have a strong commitment to a research career in academic medicine and an outstanding academic record.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates must apply and be accepted to the Categorical Internal Medicine Training Program at Washington University. The supplemental PSTP application should be concurrently submitted delineating the candidates’ research commitment, accomplishments, clinical and research interests and career plans. A recommendation letter from the applicant’s PhD mentor or research supervisor is required. Interviews and acceptance of candidates will be carried out concurrently with their application and match for the Categorical Internal Medicine Training Program.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Trainees are guaranteed funding for their clinical training years and three years of post-doctoral research. Senior trainees will be encouraged to obtain additional funding to facilitate their subsequent transition to their first academic position. Trainees will receive additional funds to assist their career development that include:

Year 1 (Internship)- $3,000 for the purchase of computers, software, journals, and library access.

Years 2 and 3 (Junior resident & clinical fellowship)- $2,000/year for travel to national meeting and purchase of software, journals and library access.

Years 4, 5 and 6 (Laboratory years)-$15,000/year supplement to salary.

SALARIES (for the 20098-2010 academic year)

Year 1- Internship $45,680

Year 2- Resident $47,680

Year 3- Clinical Fellow $49,882

Year 4- Research Fellow $67,127 (includes salary supplement)

Year 5- Research Fellow $69,473(includes salary supplement)

Year 6- Research Fellow $71,923 (includes salary supplement)

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Clinical Training:

Internal Medicine Training: Trainees will complete their internship and junior resident years within the Categorical Internal Medicine Training Program. Trainees are highly encouraged to participate in the American Board of Internal Medicine Clinical Investigator Track (i.e., short-track) and begin their subspecialty fellowship training during their third post-graduate year (PGY3) in lieu of their senior resident year in Internal Medicine. Trainees pursuing a career in academic dermatology will complete their PGY1 year within the Internal Medicine Training Program before embarking their clinical training in dermatology.

Clinical Fellowship Training: Trainees will complete the required clinical subspecialty training as outlined by their subspecialty colleges. This typically entails one year of clinical fellowship.

Research Training:

The selection of an appropriate post-doctoral training environment is critical to the success of the trainee. To assist this critical selection process, trainees will have the opportunity to attend annual retreats offered by each Department and Research Programs within the Graduate Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences. Trainees can complete their post-doctoral research training in any laboratory at Washington University.

(http://dbbs.wustl.edu)

Coursework:

Trainees can enroll in or audit courses offered through the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences covering every aspect of contemporary biomedical research. All trainees will enroll in an Ethics in Biomedical Research course required by the National Institutes of Health. Additional coursework will be coordinated on an individual basis.

Seminar series:

Trainees will participate in three seminar series focused on research in medicine.

1. Seminar Series in Molecular Medicine. This series will be centered on reviews of recent developments in molecular medicine. In addition, senior trainees will discuss their research at this monthly forum.
2. Discussion in Medical Research. Conjoint seminar series with the MD-PhD (MSTP) program in which faculty members at Washington University discuss their research programs and career paths.
3. Annual PSTP Retreat. Senior trainees will present their work at the annual PSTP Retreat.

In addition, trainees are invited to attend the weekly Seminar Series offered by the various Programs within the Graduate Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences.

Additional information can be obtained at http://meded.im.wustl.edu and applications sent to:

Anthony Muslin, MD
Stuart Kornfeld, MD
Co-Directors
Physician Scientist Training Program
Washington University School of Medicine
660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8125
St. Louis, Missouri 63110

Telephone: 314-362-8803 .........FAX: 314-362-8826
Email: AMUSLIN@dom.wustl.edu or jgibbs@dom.wustl.edu

Contact us at: wuintmed@im.wustl.edu