Overview
The Internal Medicine Residency Program at Cleveland Clinic Florida is a comprehensive three-year training program. We offer 9 categorical positions per year and 4 preliminary positions (2 positions reserved for neurology preliminary trainees, accepted through the neurology department) with a total number of thirty-one residents. We were commended for our outstanding program by the ACGME in our last review in 2010 and received the maximum accreditation cycle.
Our residents at Cleveland Clinic Florida have proven to be among the best physicians in the country. Our overall ABIM exam-passing rate is 100% for the last 6 years, and our residents consistently score in the top 80% on the ACP In-Training Exam.
The goals of the internal medicine residency program are:
- To provide residents with the skills required to generate a comprehensive diagnosis and to manage medical problems within the broad scope of general internal medicine.
- To foster the development of essential intellectual attributes which will then facilitate growth and development throughout the graduates' careers through lifelong learning.
- To promote the delivery of healthcare in a caring, compassionate and professional manner.
- To facilitate and foster the personal career development of each resident physician in the program.
Every resident here at Cleveland Clinic Florida plays an integral role in daily patient care. Under the supervision of our world-renowned physicians, they diagnose and treat the majority of patients that present to our facility.
Our residents at Cleveland Clinic Florida have proven to be among the best physicians in the country. Our overall ABIM exam-passing rate is 100% the last 3 years, and our residents consistently score in the top 95% in the ACP In-Training Exam.
Darby Sider, MD, FACP, FAAP – Program Director
Vice-Chair of Internal Medicine, Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency, Graduate Medical Education
Program
Our year is divided into 26 modules, each module is 2 weeks in length. We work in a 6+2 block schedule. A sample three-year plan is noted below:
| Name of Rotation | Modules | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 | PGY-2 | PGY-3 | |
| Inpatient Internal Medicine | 10 | 4-5 | 4 |
| Intensive Care Unit | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Ambulatory Internal Medicine | 5.5 | 6 | 6 |
| Selective*/Elective** | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Night Float | 3 | 3-4 | 4 |
| Consults | 2 | 1 | |
| Research | 0.5 | 1 | 2 |
Selectives
These rotations must be completed during the 3 years of training. They Include: Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Endocrinology, Pulmonary, Neurology, Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine.
Electives
These rotations are not mandatory and may be chosen to suit the resident’s individual interests and needs. They include: Allergy & Immunology, GYN, Ophthalmology, ENT, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Anesthesia, Radiology, Rheumatology, Vascular Medicine, Heme/Onc, Palliative Care/Hospice, Transplant nephrology and hepatology, and Hospital medicine.
Call Frequency
Inpatient Internal Medicine teams are on call every 3rd day until 7pm. There is no overnight call.. Two ICU day teams alternate coverage until 4 pm and 6 pm daily. We utilize a night float system for both the inpatient service as well as for the ICU. Every resident will have at least 1 day a week off, averaged over 4 weeks. There is no call during elective/selective or ambulatory rotations for first year residents, PGY-2s and 3s take an occasional cross cover call while on elective.
Continuity Clinic
The +2 ambulatory block allows for ongoing care in both our primary care clinic as well as in our specialty clinics. We encourage residents to build their patient panels starting in their intern year. Residents follow their patients through completion of their residency. This provides exposure to long-term care issues that are only encountered in the ambulatory setting.
Didactic Curriculum
Our program prides itself on our clinical diversity and acuity as well as our extensive didactic education. We deliver a wide variety of conferences and board review opportunities.
Noon Conference
These conferences cover a broad range of topics and include our core curriculum, procedural course, and pertinent internal medicine topics from the perspective of our diverse faculty and fellows. Grand Rounds are held Wednesdays during our noon conference.
Teaching Rounds
Our version of morning report occurs 3x weekly. The main emphases of these conferences are clinical signs interpretation, differential diagnosis and management. Cases include attempts to “stump our Master”, during which we present cases to our emeritus program director and learn as he works through his diagnostic reasoning; classic morning report discussions about management of a new admission; and cases encountered primarily in the outpatient setting in which we role play difficult conversations in a safe environment.
Simulation curriculum
The Mangurian Foundation Simulation Center provides an exceptional setting for our ever evolving simulation curriculum. There is a skills lab to practice the technical skills needed to insert central venous catheters and arterial lines, and to perform lumbar punctures, thoracenteses, and paracenteses. There is a fully functional mock-up hospital room that houses 2 SimMan 3G patients, and a fully functional simulated operating room. These settings provide opportunities to practice various patient situations including mock codes, rapid responses, difficult conversations, and diagnostic interviews. Visits to the sim center take place during the ambulatory block, or during teaching rounds. The environment provides an excellent opportunity for our junior learners to practice basic skills, and for our more senior learners to practice more advanced skills, as well as, to practice providing feedback and education to our junior learners, all while being directly supervised by our faculty.
Board Review
This is an optional conference led by our emeritus program director who is an excellent resource for ABIM exam preparation. These conferences are held daily at 7am.
In addition, each spring, we host the Cleveland Clinic Florida Board Review Course, currently in its 12th year. This is a 6-day, comprehensive review course. Our 3rd year residents are required to attend and we invite our incoming categorical interns to attend as well.
Other Conferences
Journal Clubs are held monthly. Second year residents discuss a timely journal article and its implications are discussed with various faculty members. Morbidity and Mortality cases are presented by Third year residents. Our intensive care colleagues join us twice monthly for ICU teaching rounds and for ICU M & M discussions.
Educational Resources
All Residents receive the MKSAP Board Review course material during their intern year and additional board prep material in their third year. Residents also have online access to the Goldblatt Medical Library, 24 hours a day. All the computers at Cleveland Clinic Florida, as well as the provided iPhone, have internet access which allows access to UpToDate, MDConsult, Access Medicine, and a variety of full text resources.
Board Pass Rate
Since 2014, 100% of our graduates have passed the ABIM exam on their first attempt.
Applications
All applications are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We consider applicants with USMLE scores of 220 and above or COMLEX scores of 550 and above. All applicants are encouraged to rotate in our facility either in internal medicine or in a subspecialty.
We participate in the National Residency Matching Program, and we do not accept any applicants outside of the Match. We offer the Categorical Internal Medicine, Preliminary Medicine and Neurology Preliminary Training Programs:
Cleveland Clinic Florida Internal Medicine - Categorical
NRMP # 1383140C0 ACGME ID # 1401121528 (9 Total Positions)
Cleveland Clinic Florida Internal Medicine - Preliminary
NRMP # 1383140P1 ACGME ID # 1401121528 (1 Total Position)
Cleveland Clinic Florida - Neurology Preliminary
NRMP # 1383140P0 - ACGME ID # (2 Total Positions)
We strongly encourage applicants interested in internal medicine training to apply to our programs and learn its unique features through the interview process.
Our Categorical Residency Program provides outstanding clinical training and academic opportunities for physicians interested in a career in internal medicine whether it is as a practicing or academic General Internist or to proceed on to fellowship.
In order to learn the unique features of our program, applicants selected for interviews are encouraged to participate in our interview day (this will be done virtually for the 2020-2021 Match cycle).
Application Requirements
Applications will only be accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). We do not accept applications via FAX, email or postal services.
- ERAS Common Application Form
- Curriculum Vitae
- Dean’s Letter (MSPE)
- A minimum of three (3) Letters of Recommendation; Department letter is optional
- Personal Statement
- Photograph
- Medical School Transcripts
- USMLE Transcripts and/or COMLEX Transcripts
Osteopathic Medicine Graduates
Applicants from AOA-approved osteopathic medical schools are encouraged to apply. Any resident selected will be allowed to fulfill AOA requirements for licensure.
IMG Applicant Requirements
A minimum of 6 months of hands-on direct clinical experience in a US or Canadian accredited teaching hospital is required. We will not interview candidates who have not obtained this required clinical experience. Observerships without direct clinical responsibility do not meet this criteria.
- Visas:
- All applicants who match with us are responsible for all visa fees. Please contact the GME office for more information
- All matched applicants must obtain a valid visa prior to intern orientation
- All matched applicants must obtain a valid visa prior to intern orientation (around June 12 yearly).
- J1 Visa: We refer matched interns to the ECFMG website regarding all the necessary paperwork. Please contact the GME office for more information
- H1-b Visa: Should you be eligible for H1-b visa, we will refer you to the GME office regarding the necessary paperwork.
- In order to be considered for a position in our program, applicants from medical schools located outside the US and Canada MUST have graduated from medical school in the last 3 years.
- Passed USMLE Step I & II Knowledge test on the first attempt
- Passed USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills on the first attempt (or qualified for a waiver)
- USMLE Step 3 is not required to apply
- Fluent in spoken and written English
- You must be eligible for an ECFMG Certificate in order to apply. We require that you submit your ECFMG certificate through ERAS BEFORE February 1. We are required to have an ECFMG certificate on file for every IMG intern who matches with our training program.
Application Review and Interview Selection Procedures
- We only accept application materials through ERAS (see application requirements)
- October 21 is the application deadline. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their applications ASAP because our interview days fill very quickly.
- Invitations to interview are sent by email via ERAS.
- Interviews will be done virtually and will take place from October through February
- We will be unable to interview applicants without an interview appointment..
General Information About ERAS
If you are graduating or have graduated from a U.S. medical school, you must contact your medical school's student affairs office or other designated dean’s office. Your dean’s office will provide you with the information and the software for ERAS. If you are graduating or have graduated from a Canadian medical students, please contact the Canadian Resident Matching Service, phone 613.237.0075, for ERAS processing information, or write to:
Canadian Resident Matching Service
151 Slater Street, Suite 802
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P-5H3
Canada
If you are graduating or have graduated from a foreign medical school, you must contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for application materials and eligibility requirement. Write to:
ECFMG-ERAS Program
P.O. Box 13467
Philadelphia PA 19104-3467
U.S.A.
Contact
Safiya Deen
Program Coordinator
deens@ccf.org
954.659.5884
Location
All of our applicant visitations and interviews will be done virtually for the 2020–2021 application cycle.
Benefits
Salary
Please refer to the table below for new salary rates, effective July 1, 2020:
| Grad Level | Current Pay Rate |
| 1 | $54,335 |
| 2 | $56,411 |
| 3 | $58,098 |
| 4 | $60,734 |
| 5 | $62,983 |
| 6 | $65,817 |
| 7 | $69,696 |
| 8 | $73,694 |
On-Call Meals
Paid Time Away: Vacation, Maternity, & Paternity
- Vacation – 3 weeks (15 working days) provided at the beginning of each academic year
- Maternity – 6 weeks paid leave for natural childbirth or adoption; 8 weeks for cesarean section. Additional time off unpaid up to a maximum of 12 weeks under the Family Medical Leave Act.
- Paternity – 2 week paid leave. Additional time off unpaid up to a maximum of 12 weeks under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Insurance
- Healthcare – Cleveland Clinic Florida covers 50% of annual Healthcare Plans for Clinical Trainees and their families. Effective on the first day of training with no waiting period.
- Dental and Vision Care – Cleveland Clinic Florida covers 100% of annual Dental and Vision Care Plans for Clinical Trainees.
- Maternity Care – 100% coverage is provided through the health care plan that you select within the plans guidelines.
- Pharmaceuticals – As outlined by the Cleveland Clinic Florida Health Plan.
- Malpractice – Paid by the Cleveland Clinic Educational Foundation/Cleveland Clinic Florida. Limited to activities within the training program.
- Life Insurance – $25,000 term group policy.
Travel Privileges and Other Education Activities
PGY 2s and 3s that meet eligibly criteria as outlined in the Graduate Physicians Manual may be approved to attend academic meetings for the purpose of presenting or engaging in leadership roles within national societies will be eligible up to 5 days per academic year with a maximum reimbursement of $1,200 per academic year.
Our Team
- Darby Sider, MD, FACP, FAAP – Program Director
- Kristen Hagar, MD – Associate Program Director
- Jared Piotrkowski, MD – Associate Program Director
- Jose Muniz, MD, MACP – Emeritus Program Director
If you have questions about the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, please contact:
Safiya Deen
Program Coordinator
Phone: 954.659.5884
Email: deens@ccf.org
Cleveland Clinic Florida Graduate Medical Education
2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard
Weston, Florida 33331
Alumni
| Alumni | Institution Placement | Program / Specialty |
| Class of 2020 | ||
| Amir Asaseh, M.D. | Advent Health Hospital, Daytona Beach | Hospitalist |
|
Zaimat Beiro, M.D. |
Memorial Health System |
Hospitalist |
|
Michael Castillo, M.D. |
New York Presbyterian - Brooklyn Methodist Hospital |
Gastroenterology Fellowship |
|
Jodi-Ann Chin, M.D. |
Cleveland Clinic Florida |
Hospitalist |
|
Annie Gupta, M.D. |
Oregon Health & Science University Hospital |
Palliative Care Fellowship |
|
Jeevna Kaur, M.D. |
University of Florida, Gainesville |
Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship |
|
Ana Rivas, D.O. |
Baptist Hospital Homestead |
Hospitalist |
|
Fayssa Salomon, M.D. |
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark |
Transplant Hepatology Fellowship |
|
Melissa Woo, M.D. |
Cleveland Clinic Florida |
Hospitalist |
|
Luis Wulff, M.D. |
University of South Florida, Tampa |
Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship |
Research
Class of 2020
Assessing The Association Of Breast Arterial Calcification And Aortic Stenosis
Amir Asaseh MD, Jacobo Kirsch MD, Craig Asher MD, Felipe Martinez MD
Rapid Initiation, Titration, And Transition From Iv To Oral Treprostinil: A Retrospective Study
Chin J, Kaur J, Mehta J, Rahaghi F
Demographic And Historical Risk Factors Associated With Incomplete, Missed And Cancelled Colonoscopies
Michael Castillo MD, Adalberto Gonzalez MD, Ishtiaq Hussain MD, Vaibhav Wadhwa MD, Alison Schneider MD
Real-World Treatment Patterns And Outcomes In Hr+/ Her2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients: A National Cancer Database Analysis
Annie Gupta, Abby B. Statler, Brian P. Hobbs, Wei Wei, Cassann N. Blake, Zeina A. Nahleh
Retrospective Analysis Of 1749 Ct Pulmonary Angiogram Studies To Compare Well’s Score Versus Revised Geneva Score To Optimize Ctpa Ordering In Ed
Jeevna Kaur MD ,Samantha Gillenwater MD, Rajaganesh Rajagopalan MD, Miquel Gonzalez MD, Allen Lavina MD, Felipe Martinez MD, Jinesh Mehta MD
Vancomycin Associated Nephrotoxicity In Knee & Hip Arthroplasties With Antibiotic Spacers
Ana Rivas, DO
Assessing Rate Of Screening Colonoscopy In Ccf Patients: A Quality Improvement Project
Fayssa Salomon MD, Rafael Miret MD, Amir Riaz MD, Schella Derosier MD, Scott F. Ross MD
Use Of A Dedicated Observation Unit To Decrease Length Of Stay In Hours For Observation Status Patients
Melissa Woo, MD, Shayan Mahapatra, MD, F. Scott Ross, MD
Screening Methods For Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Luis Wulff MD, Christine Girard MD, Andrew Daya MD, Sam Gurevich MD, Frank Rahaghi, MD
FAQ's
What is the application deadline?
October 21 is our application deadline. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their applications by early October because our interview days fill very quickly.
When do you notify applicants if they will be invited for an interview?
We review complete applications as received via ERAS on a rolling basis and will notify applicants of interview offers as the applications are reviewed.
When do you begin reviewing applications?
ERAS opens October 21 and our Selection Committee will begin reviewing applications at that time. We will begin inviting applicants for interviews (via email) through November.
Do you waitlist invited applicants for the interview days that are filled?
Yes, we will waitlist.
I have scheduled to interview for a PGY 2 positions with another department at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Can I interview for my preliminary internal medicine internship on the same day?
We DO NOT interview the preliminary candidates for the Neurology Residency Program. This is done by the Department of Neurology.
Should I apply to both the Preliminary and Categorical Programs?
It is preferred that an applicant applies to EITHER a preliminary position OR a categorical position, not to both.
Is there a medical school graduation cutoff date?
In order to be considered for a position in our program, we prefer that applicants have graduated from medical school no longer than 3 years from the date of application.
Is there a minimum USMLE Step 1 score?
Applicants must pass USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt. Most of our applicants have USMLE scores of at least 220. However, we do not specifically exclude applicants based on the USMLE score as we carefully consider the entire application and encourage all interested students to submit applications to our residency programs.
Is there a minimum USMLE Step 2 CK score?
Applicants must pass USMLE Step 2 CK on the first attempt. Most of our applicants have USMLE scores of 240 or higher. However, we do not specifically exclude applicants based on the USMLE score as we carefully consider the entire application and encourage all interested students to submit applications to our residency programs.
Do I have to pass USMLE Step 2 CS?
Applicants must pass USMLE Step 2 CS on the first attempt or receive a COVID-related waiver this year.
Do I have to take USMLE Step 3?
USMLE Step 3 is not required to apply.
Do I have to submit both Step 1 and Step 2 before you consider my application for interview?
Yes, we need Step 1 and Step 2 CK prior to interview
What are the minimum COMLEX score requirements for graduates of Osteopathic Medical Schools?
Applicants must pass COMLEX step 1 and step 2 on the first attempt. Most of our applicants have COMLEX scores in the top 20th percentile or three digit score of 550+.
Is US Clinical experience required for IMG’s?
Yes, a minimum of 6 months of hands-on direct clinical experience in a US or Canadian accredited teaching hospital is required. We will not interview candidates who have not obtained this required clinical experience. An Observership without direct clinical responsibility does not meet these criteria.
Visas
Do you sponsor H1-b Visas?
Matched applicants will be advised as to which Visa they are eligible for by the Graduate Medical Education Department. Should you be eligible for H1-b visa, the GME office will notify you with the necessary paperwork.
Do you require an ECFMG certificate when I apply to your training program?
You must be eligible for an ECFMG Certificate in order to apply. We require that you submit your ECFMG certificate through ERAS BEFORE February 1. We are required to have an ECFMG certificate on file for every IMG intern who matches with our training program.
How many total residents in your training programs?
We have 1 Internal Medicine Residency Training Program. During the academic year we have a total of 31 interns and residents.
- Internal Medicine Residency: 9 categorical residents per year
- Internal Medicine Preliminary: 2interns
- Internal Medicine Preliminary - Neurology: 2 interns
Contact Information
If you have questions about the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, please contact:
Safiya Deen
Program Coordinator
Phone: 954.659.5884
Email: deens@ccf.org
Program Wellness
We have had the wonderful support of Robert and Lila Tickman, who have generously donated to a wellness fund for our program. This allows us to host monthly activities to promote wellness and resiliency amongst our residents. Activities to date have included yoga, guided meditation, ice cream socials, pizza parties, team building sessions and monthly house-staff meetings. This is a great opportunity to unwind from work and get to know everyone in the program.
Graduation Ceremony & Senior Resident Dinner
The successful completion of Internal Medicine residency training is an accomplishment worthy of celebration. Each May, residents, their guests and staff gather for an evening to acknowledge this milestone. Highlights of the festivities include a look ahead at the future plans of graduates as they receive their training certificates and a comedic look back on residency training created by the graduates themselves.
Welcome Evening for New Interns
As part of a two-week orientation for new interns, we host an Evening event to provide an informal opportunity for the “freshman” class and their families to get to know one another. Senior residents, and staff who act as advisors for the program’s residents also attend with their families.
Wellness Luncheon
The program sponsors a Luncheon for all residents where they get to meet with residents from all classes at the monthly housestaff meeting. This is a great opportunity to unwind from work and get to know everyone in the program.
Social Events
GME hosts a weeklong celebration of our training programs for all programs in Cleveland Clinic and this is so much fun to attend and participate.
