Yearly Schedule

"When I was applying for Residency programs, I was set on going back home to California… until I interviewed at NU. I remember my Interview day was cold, but I quickly forgot how cold I was because I was simply amazed by the Northwestern program. I was impressed with the support the residents had in achieving their goals, and I was blown away by their Cardiology match list. Northwestern is a program that does not limit my growth—whether I want to become a General internist or sub-specialize—I know that I always have access to the resources I need to excel. "

- Ike Okwuosa, MD
Georgetown University

To read more about Ike, click here.

Each year of the curriculum is divided into 13 rotations of 4 weeks. During the first year, trainees rotate through the general medicine wards at NMH and at the West Side VA. Trainees have an ambulatory medicine rotation, 2 weeks of night float at NMH and 3 rotations on medical subspecialty inpatient units (Cardiology, Hematology-Oncology, Hepatology) and one or two subspecialty consultation electives.  Three weeks of vacation are scheduled during outpatient, consult and nightfloat blocks.

Sample Intern Schedule, Year 1

During the 26 rotations of the second and third years each resident assumes additional responsibility functioning as a supervising resident on the general medicine, subspecialty and critical care rotations. The resident also assumes primary responsibility for ambulatory patients during several outpatient rotations (2-3 rotations divided between the NMH emergency room and the VA ambulatory care areas). In addition, there are numerous elective rotations, which are selected from a list that includes research, ambulatory block medicine subspecialty electives, palliative care, women's health, and sports medicine. Residents are scheduled for 3 weeks of vacation and 1 week for conferences per year.

Sample Resident Schedule, Year 2

Sample Resident Schedule, Year 3

Residents are on call every 6th night on the General Medicine Wards at NMH. At VA-Westside, teams are on an 8 day call schedule which includes overnight call and short call responsibilities. On ICU rotations call is every 4th night for interns and every 4th night for residents. During consult months, residents do not have call responsibilities. There is a night float team at NMH every night from 7:30pm to 7:30am. This team is composed of two interns who cross-cover patients already in the hospital and one resident who admits new patients. Each resident spends 2 to 4 weeks on night float each year.