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 an elite group of young 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 close 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 and internationally.

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 sit for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Examination. Clinical training in the ISP is similar to the Categorical Training Program and conforms to all requirements of the Residency Review Committee and the ABIM. In addition, time is protected for ISP Scholars to receive formal classroom and hands-on training in various aspects of clinical research. This training includes courses in research design and methodology, measurements in research, biostatistics, computer based data analysis, epidemiology and medical ethics. This training is completed at the beginning of the second year of training, and Scholars may earn up to 10 credits, entitling them to a Certificate of Completion of Research Training from the program. With prior approval from the Program Director and the Department of Medicine, the Scholars may enroll for an additional 5 credits during the second and third year of training (on their own cost), completion of which may entitle the Scholar to a Certificate of Clinical Research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Depending on future plans of the scholars, many or all of these credits may be transferable towards a Masters in Science degree (the Masters in Science is NOT a part of the ISP curriculum).

Core Curriculum in Clinical Research

All scholars complete 10 units of course work during the summer following their intern year and a remaining 1 credit of Clinical Research Ethics in the Spring of PY2. The scholars may take further courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, medical grant writing and clinical trials over the next 18 months to earn up to a total of 15 credits entitling them to a Certificate in Clinical Research. Such courses must be approved by the Program and must not conflict or interfere with the clinical training of the scholars.

CSTP/ISP Resident Monthly Seminar

This is the schedule of CSTP/ISP Resident Monthly Seminar series. All seminars are on the second Wednesday of each month (September - May) from 6:00 - 7:30pm. A minimum of two-thirds attendance is required for all residents.

• 2008-2009 CSTP/ISP Resident Monthly Seminars

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 Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE), 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 their research training 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

Graduates of the International Scholars Program 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. Close 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. In addition, all scholars are mentored and guided by the Program Director over the entire duration of training.

Application Information

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.

Recruitment for International Scholars Program for 2010

Recruitment for the International Scholars Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will begin in September, 2009. Applications will be accepted beginning September 1, 2009. The timeline and application procedures are listed below:

Timeline

Application Procedures

The ISP does not participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). This decision was made to ensure that the most competitive international applicants have ample time to apply for appropriate visas in their home country. However, applications are required to be submitted through ERAS. You MUST also send an electronic copy of your CV and personal statement to the Program Director, Dr. Adeel A. Butt (butta@dom.pitt.edu), Program Administrator Suzanne Stewart (stewartsk@upmc.edu) AND ISP-ICRE Coordinator Ben Huffman (huffmanbm@upmc.edu) and indicate that you want to apply for the International Scholars Program. (apply to University of Pittsburgh Medical Education Program – NRMP Code 165214 OCO, check applying to ISP track)

To apply for ISP, you must have:

• USMLE Step 1 and 2 scores (CK and CS)
• ECFMG certification
• ERAS application uploaded, and provide us your ERAS number
• Passing Step 3 is viewed very favorably
  (see visa guidelines if you wish to request an H1-B visa)

Visa Guidelines

Traditionally, international medical graduates are sponsored for residency training through ECFMG on J-1 visas. A certain number of H-1b visas are permissible, provided that criteria for H-1b eligibility are met AT THE TIME OF FIRST OFFER. If applicants do not meet those criteria, H-1b visa applications will not be processed.

• H1b Visa Criteria

Contact Us

For more information, visit our websites at:
http://residency.dom.pitt.edu
http://www.icre.pitt.edu/isp/isp.html

Adeel A. Butt, MD, MS
Program Director, International Scholars Program
butta@dom.pitt.edu

Suzanne Stewart
Program Administrator, UPMC Internal Medicine Residency Program for International Scholars Program
stewartsk@upmc.edu

Benjamin M. Huffman
ISP/ICRE Coordinator
huffmanbm@upmc.edu

International Scholars Program
Institute for Clinical Research Education
Parkvale Building
200 Meyran Avenue
Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15213