Training Program: International Scholars Program

Adeel A. Butt, MD, MS, Director, International Scholars Program

• The Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Pittsburgh offers a special track for a select group of physicians who are at the beginning of their career and show the promise of becoming leaders in research and academic medicine in major universities worldwide. During their training, scholars complete clinical training in internal medicine, initiate a research career under the supervision and guidance of experienced mentors, and develop the skills that are necessary to function as leaders and agents of change in their home institutions.
• The main goals of the International Scholars Program (ISP) are:
1. To recruit an elite and internationally diverse group of medical graduates who have a clear ambition to pursue careers in academic medicine
2. To foster and enhance clinical, educational, and research relationships with exceptionally successful medical schools throughout the world
3. To train future clinician investigators to serve as key contacts and bridges for international collaboration in medical clinical research and medical education
• At the end of the 3-year training program, the ISP graduates are eligible to take the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Examination. The clinical training in the ISP is similar to that in the Categorical Training Program and conforms to all requirements of the Residency Review Committee and the ABIM. In addition, time is protected for ISP trainees to receive formal classroom and hands-on training in various aspects of clinical research. This training includes courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, research design and methodology, measurements in research, clinical trials, and medical ethics.

Program Accomplishments

ISP graduates have demonstrated exceptional motivation and determination in accomplishing the goals set forth for the program. They perform extremely well in the Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP), successfully complete research projects, publish in top-tier peer-reviewed journals, present their research at national and international meetings, and secure the most competitive fellowships. The program has demonstrated that it is possible for residents to successfully complete the CRTP without sacrificing their clinical training.

Research

ISP residents are extremely productive academically, as measured by the number of recent publications in peer-reviewed journals. Current and past residents have published papers in journals of the highest reputation, including Science, Circulation, Journal of American College of Cardiology, American Journal of Cardiology, Blood, American Journal of Gastroenterology, and Journal of Hepatology. To view a partial list of recent publications by ISP residents, click here.

Fellowship Placements

Although the ISP is a relatively new program, its graduates have been highly successful in obtaining competitive fellowship positions in leading programs around the country. To view a partial list of recent fellowship placements, click here.

Mentorship

Academic success is not achieved without faculty mentors to provide guidance and support in research, career development, and personal growth. Mentorship is provided by faculty within the program and by a research mentor chosen by the ISP Scholar. The mentors help navigate the sometimes tortuous path of research and training.

How to Apply

To apply to the ISP, please send a CV and a personal statement to Dr. Adeel A. Butt. In addition, please view our current recruitment process and timeline along with our invitation for residency. Make sure to visit our Applicant Corner page for more information on general application procedures and administrative contacts.