Internal Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP)

The goal of the IM Physician Scientist Training Program is to provide a formal mechanism to facilitate and support the development of physician-scientists who wish to pursue a career in academic medicine. The PSTP is part of the Jean Wilson Society , a program for physician-scientist career development in our department, honoring the legacy of the late Dr. Jean Wilson, a pioneer in academic medicine. Our PSTP has been training future physician-scientists since 2009. We have a 3-pronged mentorship approach:

1. Build a strong physician-scientist network
2. Foster an environment of discovery and innovation
3. Support research career development and long-term success

Our Success

About our Program

• Structure of the Program

  Structure of the Program

  The IM PSTP supports a tailored pathway for developing academic leaders in medicine and science. The Department of Internal Medicine follows the policies and procedures of the American Board of Internal Medicine's Research Pathway. This guarantees that individuals who successfully complete the training program will be eligible for board certification in Internal Medicine and in a subspecialty. Key features of our PSTP are:

  • Program duration of 6-7 years, depending on fellowship, which includes 2 years of short-track categorical IM residency.
  • PGY-1 and PGY-2 trainees are part of the categorical IM residency program.
  • We guarantee a spot in the fellowship chosen during the interview process.
  • Fellowship (3-4 years, depending on the discipline) includes 2-3 years of protected research time and continuity clinics.
  • Trainee salaries during research are supported by several T32 programs and when needed, directly by the Department.
  • Individuals are eligible for Internal Medicine Board Certification in August of the PGY-4 year, and for Subspecialty Board Certification in November of the PGY-6 or PGY-7 year.
  • We seek to recruit our trainees to the department’s faculty, including those who are at the early stages of applying for early career awards, like K grants.
  • Our graduates who join our faculty are eligible for a number of internal early career awards specifically designed for physician scientists, such as the Disease Oriented Clinical Scholar Award.

  Trainees engage in robust academic activities, including weekly IM Research Conferences which feature presentations by leading physician-scientists on our campus and beyond, PSTP alumni, and current trainees showcasing their work-in-progress. Engagement in campus-wide research events is strongly encouraged, including the University Lecture Series and the Donald W. Seldin Symposium—the Department’s most prestigious annual event celebrating outstanding trainee-led research. This event also includes the annual recipient of the ASCI Seldin-Smith Award.

• Application Process

  Trainees with both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees, as well as M.D.s with a master's degree and/or other substantial research experience will be considered.

  The IM Residency Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center strongly supports the match and offers positions to physician-scientist applicants only through the match. All applications must come through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) . A letter from the applicant's Ph.D. mentor or research mentor is required. Please make sure to include this as part of your ERAS application packet.

  We only interview applicants who signal our program gold or silver. Application submissions will close two weeks after ERAS opens. In addition to submission of your ERAS application, submit via email a PSTP statement of interest.

  1. PSTP Statement of Interest

     1. Submit the PSTP statement of interest via JeanWilsonSociety@UTSouthwestern.Edu (JeanWilsonSociety@UTSouthwestern.Edu). 
        The email subjectlLine should include: Last Name, First Name, ERAS AAMCID#.
     2. Attach to the email your PSTP Statement of Interest as a PDF document, using the following general structure:
     1. Letter size, 0.5 inch margins, Arial 12 font
     2. Page Headers: ERAS AAMCID# and Last Name/First Name, Subspecialty Interest(s)
     1. Section 1: Subspecialty of interest. If you are undecided and/or have more than one interest, provide your top 3 choices in a rank order.
     2. Section 2: Prior research experience. Describe the research you have conducted to date and its significance. We read this section with great interest, feel free to give sufficient detail.
     3. Section 3: Career Goals. Describe your career plans and goals including any research or clinical interests you may have developed.
     4. Section 4: Other applicable tracks. If you are also interested in other tracks offered at UTSW, such as the categorical medicine track, note this in your PSTP statement of interest.
     5. Section 5: Faculty of interest. Provide up to 5 names of faculty members that you would like an opportunity to meet during your interview as potential mentors.
     6. Section 6: Visa sponsorship needs, if applicable.  If this is not applicable to you (as a US citizen or permanent resident), indicate so.  Applicants in need of VISA sponsorship to participate in our residency program should note that we offer H1- B Visas on a case-by-case basis (exceptions may include EAD and EAD spouse-visas). As this can be a lengthy approval process, we seek to identify this need as early as possible for discussion during your interview with the Program Director. Please note that a USMLE Step 3 passing score must be submitted prior to H1-B application.

  2. Apply through ERAS, select the appropriate track(s) for consideration:

     1. The IM PSTP Program NMRP Code is 2835140C3
     2. If you are also interested in other tracks, apply using the appropriate NMRP Codes.  We will take your interests in other tracks into consideration at the time of interviews to schedule a visit that covers all your interests. 

Life in Dallas

Discover UT Southwestern

• A National Leader in Academic Medicine

  A National Leader in Academic Medicine

  UT Southwestern is an internationally recognized academic medical center, known for excellence in education, research, and clinical care. With four degree-granting schools—the Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Professions, and the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health—we train nearly 4,000 students, residents, and fellows each year.

  With over 25,000 employees and an annual operating budget of $5.5 billion, UT Southwestern is one of the largest and most impactful academic medical centers in the country. Our faculty and trainees deliver outstanding care at UT Southwestern’s Clements Jr. University Hospital and outpatient clinics, as well as its key partner institutions including Parkland Health, the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Dallas VA Medical Center. Each year, we provide more than 5 million outpatient visits, care for over 120,000 hospitalized patients, and handle 360,000 emergency room visits.

• Research with Real-World Impact

  Research With Real-World Impact

  Research is the cornerstone of our mission. Each year, we support nearly 6,000 active research projects, with over $767 million in funding from the NIH, foundations, state programs, industry partners, and philanthropic donors. Recognized globally, UT Southwestern ranks #4 in the world among healthcare institutions in the Nature Index for publishing high-impact research that shapes the future of medicine. Our distinguished faculty includes 6 Nobel Laureates, 26 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 21 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 13 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators.

• Expore Internal Medicine

  Explore Internal Medicine

  UT Southwestern’s nationally recognized Department of Internal Medicine includes more than 850 primary and secondary faculty members and is home to a remarkable community of physician-scientists and educators. Among its ranks are 3 Nobel Laureates, 8 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 9 members of the National Academy of Medicine, 4 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 39 members of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and 28 members of the Association of American Physicians.

  The Department is organized into 14 divisions and 3 major research centers, which are highly recognized nationwide, achieving top U.S. News & World Report rankings and many other accolades. The faculty in the department lead efforts in discovery, clinical excellence, and education. Its residency program is consistently ranked among the top 10 Internal Medicine programs in the country.

 

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