Medicine-Pediatrics
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine & Pediatrics
Associate Program Director
Pediatrics & Internal Medicine
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine & Pediatrics
Program Director
Pediatrics & Internal Medicine
serena.kurien@utsouthwestern.edu Serena Kurien to schedule a meeting.
About the Specialty
Med/Peds is four years of training in categorical pediatrics and categorical internal medicine. At the end of this combined residency, you are a full pediatrician and a full internist, and you take the same board exams as your colleagues in categorical programs. Med-Peds trainees go on to have very diverse career paths ranging from full-spectrum primary care, hospital medicine, transition medicine, public health, global health, and a range of sub-specialties in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, or both. The field of Med-Peds is highly versatile in its depth and breadth.
Answers to Common Questions
- Attributes of a Competitive Student
What factors typically make a student competitive for this specialty?
While Med-Peds is more competitive than categorical pediatrics or internal medicine, most US candidates can find a Med-Peds program that fits their level of competitiveness. Having a strong board score has historically been helpful, and some programs used to filter/limit their interview slots to candidates above a certain board score. This is less relevant in our new era of Pass/Fail Step 1, but many programs are using Step 2 as a stronger marker.
Excelling during clinical rotations is much more important than preclinical grades. Candidates with other strengths (including grit and robust life experiences) may overcome a less-than-stellar academic record. Competitiveness includes a variety of factors, so be sure to discuss with your deans and advisors if you are concerned.
- Research
How important is research experience in your specialty? If important, does it need to be in the specialty itself?
One of the attractive things about a Med-Peds career is that it includes diverse career opportunities. For some physicians, this includes research. For others, they focus their career on clinical and educational priorities. Emerging career drivers are quality improvement, global health, and other unique interests. The most important thing to do during the preclinical years is to learn as much as possible in your coursework and engage in activities that allow you to develop your unique passions, skills, or interests. This could be serving as the leader of an interest group, getting involved in curriculum development / medical education, service organizations, global health initiatives, local or national advocacy work, etc. Most programs want to see that you have taken an active role and put significant time or effort into something meaningful to you, and impactful to others.
For those planning a research-heavy fellowship path or applying to very competitive academic programs, having research during medical school (or before) can be important. Students can show their unique contributions and involvement in the project by presenting a poster, giving an oral presentation, or being an author. “First author” status on a paper certainly isn’t expected or required for residency applicants, but it will be highly impressive if achieved. Most importantly, any student documenting any level of involvement in research needs to clearly, succinctly, and articulately describe their project and level of involvement during interviews.
- Shadowing
How can students identify opportunities for shadowing and other opportunities?
Shadowing opportunities for combined Med-Peds rotations are limited. During your MS2 and MS3 clerkships, you will gain important exposure to Med-Peds through your ambulatory, IM, and Pediatrics clerkships—this will give you the best sense of what you enjoy about each and whether Med-Peds is the best option for you. You should consider requesting the Med-Peds clinic for your ambulatory clerkship, but otherwise, there is nothing else you need to plan for during the MS2/3 year.
- Electives
What electives would you recommend to a student who is interested in pursuing your specialty?
We encourage students to explore areas of interest that they might not have the opportunity to do again in residency - i.e. Dermatology, Radiology, Otolaryngology, Sports Medicine, other areas of personal interest.
Based on your experience, what tips do you have for students to shine on your electives?
There are no Med-Peds dedicated electives. Again, we encourage students interested in Med-Peds to indicate their desire to work alongside combined Med-Peds faculty in the Med-Peds Clinic during their required ambulatory clerkship. They may also consider requesting to work with a combined Med-Peds hospitalist attending during their IM or Pediatric clerkships. The key areas to shine include patient ownership, independent problem solving, and dedication to expanding their knowledge base both on the wards and outside the clerkship. Patient and caregiver communication across the lifespan is a core skill for a Med-Peds physician. We encourage students to hone this skill set by investing in relationships with their patients and their families.
- Away Rotations
Does your specialty recommend doing away rotations?
Away rotations are not necessary in our field, but some situations might cause them to be beneficial. If you have a clear first-choice program, it might be helpful to you to do an away rotation so that they can get to know you better. Doing an away at a program shows specific interest in that program, and it’s beneficial to reach out to program staff during your time there to express your interest. Away rotations also give you the opportunity to experience the culture at other places and to enter interview season with a bit more experience. Students with geographic limitations may find it helpful to do an away rotation at 1-2 areas they hope to match. However, it is important to note that some students have expressed concern that other programs see an away rotation at another institution as having less interest in their program. Thus, it may be best to avoid excessively “advertising” where you have done away rotations if you choose to do them.
Please also remember that an away rotation can bring you down as much as it can help you. An away rotation is a month-long interview, so be prepared to bring your A-game all day, every day. It can also be hard to show off your best self at a brand-new place with a different EMR, etc. For those of you who “look good on paper,” it is probably best not to do an away rotation unless you have a good reason (see above). On the other hand, an away rotation may be prudent for those who look less good on paper but do better when they have a chance to work with someone for an extended period.
If your specialty recommends doing away rotations, how many “aways” do you recommend?
See above
If away rotations are necessary, when should they apply and when should they be completed?
See above
- Interview Timing
Which month do you recommend taking off to interview?
November
- Letters of Recommendation
How many letters of recommendation are needed to apply to your specialty?
From a logistical standpoint, Med-Peds applicants basically need 4 letters. Many programs want a "department letter" from each side (Peds and IM) that you request through clerkship directors and department chairs. If you chose not to have two department letters, we recommend prioritizing the Internal Medicine department chair letter. For the remaining two letters, it is ideal to have a clinical letter from each side.
Does your specialty recommend that all letters of recommendation be written by members of your specialty?
The most helpful letters are those that meaningfully comment on your clinical skills as it is difficult for residency leaders to gain a clear understanding of a student’s clinical skillset from the rest of the application (which focuses on activities, research, grades, and exam scores). Thus, choose faculty who had a significant opportunity to observe you clinically. Having letters from your sub-I or other senior rotations is often ideal as faculty can comment more robustly on your clinical confidence and readiness for internship.
If you have a meaningful relationship with a non-pediatric or non-internal medicine faculty member, that would also be fine as one of the additional letters. In general, unless you are an MD-PhD candidate or did a full research year, we would rather see a letter from a clinical attending rather than a research mentor.
If letters can come from other disciplines, do you have a recommendation as to which disciplines are more highly valued?
Not applicable
Does the academic rank of the letter writer matter?
No, see above
Does your specialty require a letter from the chairman?
Yes, see above
- Additional Support
National Med-Peds Residents’ Association - this resource includes things such as program map, the history of Med-Peds, comparison/contrast with Family Medicine, Med-Peds career choices, and importance residency tips.
Check out: Med-Peds Guide
Check out: Program Map
Check out: Program Spotlights Summer 2024
