Education & Curriculum
Residency Overview
Our resident group is divided into cohorts, each on a rotating 4+1 schedule. During the +1 week or Ambulatory Week, residents and interns manage their continuity patients in clinic. The Ambulatory Week also gives our residents the opportunity to take part in ongoing Quality Improvement & Patient Safety projects.
These projects are original and many of our residents’ works are presented at local and national conferences. The +1 schedule also allows for a “golden weekend” where residents are free from clinical duties and can enjoy local San Antonio or other nearby attractions.
Categorical PGY-1 Blocks
| 4-5 months of Internal Medicine Wards |
| 1 month of Critical Care |
| 1 month of Cardiology/CCU |
| 1 month of Night Float |
| 1 month of Procedure Team / Patient Safety |
| 2 weeks of Neurology |
| 2 weeks of Palliative care/ 2 weeks of Backup Rotation |
| 4 weeks of Electives |
PGY-2 Blocks
| 2-3 months of Internal Medicine Wards (with the option of 1 month on HIV Wards) |
| 1 month of Critical Care |
| 1 month of Cardiology/CCU |
| 2 weeks of High Value Care |
| 2 weeks of Endocrinology or Nephrology Core Rotation |
| 2 weeks of Emergency Medicine |
| 2 weeks of Backup Rotation |
| 3 months of Elective |
PGY-3 Blocks
| 2-3 months of Internal Medicine Wards (with the option of 1 month on HIV Wards) |
| 1 month of Critical Care |
| 1 month of Cardiology/CCU |
| 1 month of Night Float |
| 1 month of Medicine Consults |
| 2 weeks of Medicine Triage |
| 2-4 weeks of Backup Rotation |
| 3-4 months of Elective |
Rotations are offered at both teaching hospitals and are supplemented with daily conferences covering high-yield, board-testable topics.
Categorical Internship Curriculum
The goal for our PGY1 residents is to develop a strong base in medicine through robust exposure to general medicine wards, ambulatory care, critical care, palliative care, bedside procedures, and an elective of choice.
Intern Learning Group (ILG)
The transition period from undergraduate to graduate medical education can be challenging. Our ILG, a half-day learning opportunity, is designed to provide a supportive environment for interns, helping them learn the medical knowledge and skill sets that are essential for the transition from functioning as medical students to practicing at the graduate level. A variety of topics are covered through ILG during one-hour didactic sessions. The didactics curriculum is based on a needs assessment with observation and incorporates Individualized Learning Plans (ILP). Following each didactic session is a one-hour case presentation conference, during which one intern will present a case he or she has seen on any rotation.
Resident Curriculum
The goal for our upper-level residents is to build on their foundation to become confident, competent, and independent physicians. Inpatient rotations cover a broad range of clinical disciplines including internal medicine wards, HIV wards, medicine consultation, night float, cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, and neurology. Additionally, senior housestaff have 2-4 months of electives, including the option of a board study month.
Preliminary Internships
Preliminary interns rotate through internal medicine wards, Cardiology, MICU, and night float. They also receive elective months and their ambulatory weeks which may be used to rotate in areas of their chosen specialty (such as neurology, radiology, anesthesia or ophthalmology).
