Internal Medicine Residency Program

Overview

Welcome to the Cleveland Clinic Internal Medicine Residency Program at South Pointe Hospital! Our program is a fully ACGME-accredited three-year categorical program, with the distinction of Osteopathic Recognition by the ACGME. We take pride in having Cleveland Clinic Main Campus as our sponsoring institution.

Since our inception in 1959, our Internal Medicine Residency Program has provided a strong foundation in internal medicine rooted in osteopathic principles, fostering intellectual curiosity and a commitment to evidence-based learning. Designed to support a wide range of career goals, the program emphasizes critical thinking, professional growth, and individualized training within a close-knit environment. Residents benefit from the best of both worlds—hands-on experience at South Pointe Hospital, a community site serving patients with high area deprivation index, and exposure to complex cases at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, a world-class tertiary center. With only twelve residents, we offer personalized mentorship while providing the resources and networking opportunities of a major academic institution.

Highlights

• Close-knit program with 4 residents per class, 12 residents in total, making it a fantastic opportunity to work and bond with each other
• Program administration’s focus on growth of individual residents, personalized education and curriculum catered to the future needs of the residents
• Close association with Cleveland Clinic main campus, with opportunities for rotations at main campus, as well as in community hospital settings
• Networking opportunities with world’s top physicians
• Fellowship match results in competitive specialties
• Research grant of $20,000 available per project per resident, each year of training to pursue research
• Investment in osteopathic education excellence through a longitudinal curriculum
• Educational materials of MKSAP and UWorld sponsored by the program throughout the residency period
• Focus on wellbeing with resident wellness activities year-round, and a great leave and vacation policy to relax and recoup, without compromising training

Training Program

Our design

• Flexibility and customization – curated individualized learning
• Graduated autonomy and responsibility
• Variation in rotation

We pride ourselves on providing individualized learning experiences tailored to each resident’s professional goals. Working closely with residents to design personalized training paths, we ensure they gain the most from their education. Additionally, our rotation has offerings across various specialties and subspecialties, including customizable electives, allow residents to explore areas aligned with their interests and future career aspirations.

Our model of graduated autonomy fosters clinical independence through increasing responsibility based on each resident’s progression and readiness.

Training Sites

Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital

Our primary training site serves as the central hub for core rotations, didactic sessions, and the resident continuity clinic, providing a consistent and integrated environment for learning and patient care. The 223-bed acute care community teaching hospital has served Warrensville Heights and the greater Cuyahoga County area since 1957 and is home to ACGME-accredited residency programs in Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Pharmacy. As a regional teaching site for the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the hospital also hosts medical students each month, contributing to a dynamic and collaborative academic environment.

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus has been ranked as the second-best hospital in the world by multiple organizations for several years in a row. Located 8 miles from South Pointe Hospital, it is a 20-minute drive. Our residents have access and the opportunity to rotate in multiple electives of their choice at this prestigious campus. Also, residents interested in pursuing further career growth can connect with world-class researchers at Main Campus to work on amazing research and projects. During the senior clinic weeks, residents will attend a longitudinal specialty continuity clinic of their choice, which can be located at Main Campus, if preferred.

Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital

Fairview Hospital is approximately a 30-minute drive from South Pointe Hospital. Residents are offered a Cardiology elective rotation at this site for an in-depth experience in inpatient cardiology.

Rotations

Rotations offered at each site:

Schedule structure

Y-Week

All internal medicine residents rotate in X+Y model, on a 6+2 schedule. The six “X” weeks are composed of inpatient, elective, and research rotations, followed by two “Y” weeks of longitudinal resident clinic.

“X” weeks contain the core rotations including Inpatient Wards, ICU, and Nights at South Pointe Campus, and elective rotations which take place at Main Campus, South Pointe, or Fairview.

During “Y” weeks, residents serve as primary care physicians to a group of patients they follow longitudinally throughout their residency training period.

Rotation count

The following is the average distribution of rotations over a 3-year residency period, in weeks. Rotations are distributed in 2-week blocks. Most rotations are in 2-week increments, with some rotation being 4 weeks at a time. We take particular care to alternate residents between busier and less busy rotation blocks when possible.

PGY-1

• Medicine: 12 weeks
• Nights: 4 weeks
• ICU: 8 weeks
• Clinic: 12 weeks
• Elective: 14-16 weeks

PGY-2

• Medicine: 10 weeks
• Nights: 8 weeks
• ICU: 6-8 weeks
• Clinic: 12-14 weeks
• Elective: 14-16 weeks

PGY-3

• Medicine: 8 weeks
• Nights: 4-6 weeks
• ICU: 6-8 weeks
• Clinic: 12 weeks
• Elective: 20-22 weeks

Didactics

The didactics are systematically built into our program. We follow a systems-based approach and focus on relevant content to prepare for ABIM Boards. We supplement learning with MKSAP, an ACP resource that covers all internal medicine topics, as well as the UWorld question bank, which is the best resource for board preparation. These resources are provided by the program throughout the three years of training.

We believe that we learn best by teaching others. Accordingly, our didactics are a combination of resident and attending led presentations and interactive sessions. The sessions include presentations for Case Conferences, Outpatient and Inpatient curriculum, and Guest Lectures from attendings in various internal medicine subspecialties. We also participate in a monthly Tumor Board with our General Surgery Residency colleagues.

Didactic structure

Our Skills Lab at South Pointe Hospital.

South Pointe Skills Lab

The Skills Lab is a cornerstone of hands-on learning and procedural competency within our program. Our Skills Lab is available to residents and faculty on a 24/7 basis, providing open access to practice essential procedures in a low-pressure, high-fidelity environment. Residents can refine techniques such as intubation, central and arterial line placement, and participate in mock codes at their own pace. In addition to independent practice, we have monthly sessions led by experienced faculty and clinical professionals. These sessions simulate real-life scenarios- including emergent resuscitations and procedural training- with strong emphasis on proper technique, procedural sterilization, and clinical decision making.

Resident performing an intubation practice at South Pointe Skills Lab.

Research and scholarly activity

Our residents benefit from robust research opportunities through both South Pointe Hospital and Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus, gaining access to advanced research labs, mentorship, and collaborative projects with those at the top of their field. Whether you are interested in clinical outcomes, quality improvement, or translational science, you will find the support to pursue your interests. Residents are encouraged not only to participate in research, but to take leadership roles in driving innovation and contributing to the future of medicine. Dedicated research electives are available, allowing residents to focus on projects aligned with their career goals- whether that means strengthening a fellowship application, presenting at national conferences, or publishing in peer reviewed journals.

Through the Brentwood Foundation, which provides additional support to resident education at South Pointe Hospital, each resident can request up to $20,000 in research grant as a principal investigator for a project in each year of their residency period. A Research Curriculum has been created which guides you on the steps of starting a research project, from identifying a research question to publication. The curriculum includes instructions, resources, and outlines the steps to complete your project and utilize the research grant allotted to you.

Residents attending an OMM Workshop in the Skills Lab.

Library resources

The program offers access to a well-equipped physical library with 24/7 access, supported by a full-time library staff ready to assist with questions and research needs. Residents have access to a wide range of physical books and e-resources, and can request literature searches, including systematic and scoping reviews. A clinical librarian actively rounds with the medicine team on a weekly basis, enhancing point-of-care learning. Additionally, the library team helps facilitate referral connections for residents exploring interest in various specialties. Some of the resources offered include Covidence, EndNote, OhioLINK, and an entire online access to the Cleveland Clinic Library Resources.

Resident Experience

Daily schedule while on inpatient medicine

• 7:00 a.m.: Sign out, discuss overnight events and new admissions
• 7:00 – 8:30 a.m.: Chart review, patient visits, start notes
• 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.: Table Rounds with attending
• Rounds: Discharge patients, follow-up on orders, tie up loose ends
• 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.: Noon Conference (didactics)
• 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Intern Chalk Talk/UWorld Conference
• Post-Conference: Complete notes, follow-up on orders, handle new admissions
• 4:45 p.m.: Sign out to night team

Scholarly activity participation

The program actively encourages and supports residents to participate and present at regional and national meetings. With the variety of experts in different fields available in Cleveland Clinic available for our residents as a mentor, we often make our presentations in prestigious national conferences year rounds. These opportunities are the best avenues to network with the leaders in your field of interest, on a national scale. In addition to the support from Cleveland Clinic, we also receive funding support from Brentwood Foundation in these scholarly activities.

Our residents in front of their poster presentation at the American College of Gastroenterology Conference.

Our residents in front of their poster presentation at the American College of Cardiology Conference.

Wellness events

Our residency program is deeply committed to supporting our physicians’ well-being, not just inside the work setting, but also outside of work. This is why we host quarterly wellness events to help everyone step away from the hospital and connect in a relaxed setting. The program provides a generous budget to make these events special, and residents get to come together to choose the activities they’re most excited about. These events happen on protected half-days, which are free from clinical duties. These are the perfect chance to unwind, recharge, and build stronger bonds with your fellow residents. We’ve enjoyed some great times at events like Topgolf, cooking classes at STIR in Chagrin Falls, team challenges at Perplexity Escape Room, and laid-back outdoor barbecues. Each one offers a fun way to create lasting memories and maintain balance during the demands of residency.

Benefits

Vacation

• Residents receive competitive vacation benefits offered in multiple buckets
• Residents are offered 20 business days of Paid Time Off per academic year. This is broken down into 15 PTO days and 5 days for sick and personal leave.
• Residents are also eligible for 5 conference days if presenting.
• This is in addition to the 6 Cleveland Clinic holidays (Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year's Da, and Memorial Day).
• Residents are also entitled to a 6-week paid FMLA once during residency for qualifying reasons.

Smoke & drug-free workplace

We are a smoke and drug free workplace and have random drug screenings. We require yearly flu vaccinations and follow the Center for Disease Control for Covid vaccination practices.

Salary

• Find the most updated information regarding salary

Insurance

• View the current benefit program summary for residents
• View the current benefit brochure
• Review additional residency benefits

Residents

PGY-3 & Resident Leadership

PGY - 3

Sufia Ahmed, DO
Chief Resident
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA
Career Interest: Hematology/Oncology

Emma Goldblatt, DO
Chair, Osteopathic Education
Medical School: Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, IL
Career Interest: Palliative Medicine

Azka Khan, DO
Chair, Research and Quality Improvement
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA
Career Interest: Pulmonary/Critical Care

Jonah Stavsky, DO
Chair, Resident Clinic
Medical School: Ohio University, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine/Athens, OH
Career Interest: Primary care

PGY-2 

Adam Ginsberg, DO
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, NY
Career Interest: Gastroenterology

Neethu Mathew, DO
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL
Career Interest:Nephrology

Roshan Tasgaonkar, DO
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, WV
Career Interest: Gastroenterology

Tianyuan Xu, DO
Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, AZ
Career Interest: Gastroenterology

PGY-1

Sanim Choudhury, DO
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, ID
Career Interest: Cardiology

Tanya Gupta, DO
Medical School: Kansas Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, KS
Career Interest: Gastroenterology

Derek Wagner, DO
Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IN
Career Interest: Hospital Medicine

Zi Jie Wei, DO
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MI
Career Interest: Hematology/Oncology and Cardiology

Alumni

Class of 2026

Class of 2025

Class of 2024

Class of 2023

Class of 2022

Class of 2021

Class of 2020

Faculty

Sreerag Surendran, MD, MBA, FACP Program Director Inpatient Medicine	Jane D’Isa, DO Internal Medicine Chair, Morbidity and Mortality
Bianca Honnekeri, MD Internal Medicine Lead Faculty, Quality and Improvement	Lindsey Perusek, DO Addiction Medicine and Internal Medicine Lead Faculty, Clinic
Hardeep Rai, MD Critical Care and Pulmonary Disease Lead Faculty, ICU	Olalekan Olanipekun, MD Cardiovascular Medicine
Payal Sen, MD Critical Care and Pulmonary Disease Lead Faculty, Skills Lab and Critical Care Education	Vedha Sanghi, MD Gastroenterology Lead Faculty, Fellowship Support
Jennifer Solivas-Maluyao, MD Hospital Medicine	Michael Bourgeois, DO Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Lead Faculty, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Korrie Beverley-Waters, DO Director of Osteopathic Education Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine	Allan Chiunda, MD, PhD The Brentwood Foundation Chair of Research Radiology
Krutarth Pandya, MD Lead Faculty, Research	Amrinder Bhatti, MD Lead Faculty, POCUS

FAQs

How does scheduling work?

We take scheduling requests at the beginning of the academic year with rotation preferences and potential vacations so that we can build a master schedule around it.

The weekend call schedule is made based on which residents are available on each block as well as the approved PTO. The call schedule will be provided 3-4 months in advance.

What fellowship opportunities available?

Our past graduates have gone on to match in competitive fellowship programs across the country, reflecting the strength of our clinical training and mentorship across the enterprise. Through strong institutional ties with Cleveland Clinic Main Campus and direct access to subspecialty faculty and fellows, our residents are well-supported in pursuing fellowship in a wide range of disciplines. Whether your interests lie in cardiology, gastroenterology, critical care, or beyond, our program provides the foundation, guidance, and opportunity to help you succeed. Please be sure to visit our past residents page to see where our alumni have continued their training and careers.

What networking opportunities are available?

The program provides opportunities for networking by connecting you with the clinical researchers at your areas of your interest with our librarian acting as the point of contact.

We also provide you with rotations in specialties that you prefer, whether in South Pointe, Main Campus or other sites.

South Pointe Hospital also offers the residents access to physician outings such as Lady Caroline Cruise Day, Golf Outings etc., where you get to spend time with attendings of different specialties from different campuses, in a light social setting.

As part of the Cleveland Clinic House Staff Association, you also get opportunities to interact with Residents and Fellows throughout the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Once the opportunity to connect with the contact of interest is obtained, successful networking lies mostly in resident building relationships with attendings. Having mentors in the area that you are interested in working in can help make connections for research, other clinical opportunities, and networking for fellowship.

What is the Cleveland community like?

Cleveland offers a unique blend of urban energy with a touch of community charm. From a vibrant downtown area to three professional sport teams, to a nationally renowned theater district, the city is rich in culture and entertainment. It is also home to the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a must-visit destination for music lovers, and just a short drive from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton - making it a great hub for sports and culture alike. Food lovers will enjoy an exceptional and varied culinary scene, while outdoor enthusiasts can explore hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails across nearby metro and national parks. Whether you are catching a game, trying a new restaurant, or relaxing in nature, Cleveland provides something for everyone- making it a dynamic and livable city for residents and visitors alike.

Where do most residents live?

Most of the residents live close to the South Pointe hospital in Beachwood, Shaker Heights, Cleveland/University Heights, and Mayfield Heights. Nearby apartment complexes include The Vue (Beachwood), 4th and Park (Orange), and Upstairs at Van Aken (Shaker Heights). Some the residents rent apartments from private owners or own their own homes in the Shaker Height/Cleveland Heights neighborhoods. Some residents also live in the downtown Cleveland and Ohio City areas. The commute from these places to South Pointe Campus ranges from 5 minutes to 25 minutes.

Apply

Thank you for your interest in the Cleveland Clinic Internal Medicine Residency Program at South Pointe Hospital.

Audition

If you're interested in an audition rotation, we invite you to apply or email DOIM@ccf.org.

Residency application

Applications are accepted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

We do participate in ERAS Program Signaling. If you are interested in our program, we encourage you to use Program Signaling to express your interest. Learn more.

To maximize your chances of securing an interview, we strongly recommend submitting your application by the end of September, as interview slots fill up quickly.

The following documents are required for your application:

• ERAS Common Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae
• Dean’s Letter (MSPE)
• A minimum of three (3) Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Photograph
• Medical School Transcripts
• USMLE and/or COMLEX Transcripts

Program details:

• Program Code: Cleveland Clinic Foundation/South Pointe Hospital Program
• Accreditation ID: 1403800537
• City: Warrensville Heights
• State: Ohio

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants with any of the following are eligible for consideration for appointment for residency training in the Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program:
• Graduation from a Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) Approved College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM)
• Graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) who have obtained at least 120 hours of in-depth training in Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) from an educational program through a COCA approved COM, American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or any regional or state recognized osteopathic organization, including:
• Osteopathic philosophy, history, terminology, and code of ethics (ACGME OR II.B.1)
• Anatomy and physiology related to osteopathic medicine (ACGME OR II.B.2)
• Indications, contraindications, and safety issues associated with the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) (ACGME OR II.B.3)
• Palpatory diagnosis, osteopathic structural examination, and OMT (ACGME OR II.B.4)
• Graduates of medical schools outside of the United States and Canada who are certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Grads (ECFMG) who have obtained at least 120 hours of in-depth training in Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) from an educational program through a COCA approved COM, AOA, or any regional or state recognized osteopathic organization, including:
•  Osteopathic philosophy, history, terminology, and code of ethics (ACGME OR II.B.1)
• Anatomy and physiology related to osteopathic medicine (ACGME OR II.B.2)
• Indications, contraindications, and safety issues associated with the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) (ACGME OR II.B.3)
• Palpatory diagnosis, osteopathic structural examination, and OMT (ACGME OR II.B.4)
• MDs who meet the criteria of 120 hours of OPP education and are accepted into the program will have an osteopathic onboarding session and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) with the DOE to ensure readiness for the osteopathic curriculum. An individualized program will be created to address any deficiencies, if necessary.
• Residents entering the program who meet the above eligibility requirements will be designated osteopathic residents upon matriculation into the program.

Contact us

Stephanie O’Rourke
Program Manager
Email: OROURKS@ccf.org
Phone: 216.491.7818