PGY1 Omar Moinuddin, M.D., Bernadete Ayres, M.D., Bradford Tannen, M.D., J.D., M.B.A., and patient Andrew McKeon.
The traditional way…
Before graduating medical school, students apply for and match with a residency program in their desired specialty, such as a three-year ophthalmology residency. During the first postgraduate year or PGY1, a newly minted doctor completes a one-year internship in a different medical specialty or combination of specialties before formal residency begins. Internships and residencies are often completed at different institutions.
As of July 2019…
Aspiring ophthalmologists can complete a PGY-1 internship at Michigan Medicine that includes three one-month blocks of ophthalmology training interspersed among nine months of training in internal medicine.
The change, approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, will soon become the standard for post-graduate training in ophthalmology.
“This is an exciting evolution in how ophthalmologists are trained,” says clinical associate professor Bradford Tannen, M.D., J.D., M.B.A. “While building a ‘provider skill set’ at a top medical school, they’re also getting a jump start on the fundamentals of practicing ophthalmology, including patient work-ups, basic diagnostics and even an introduction to the operating room.”
“By covering the basics sooner, they’re ready to hit the ground running when their ophthalmology residency begins,” adds professor Shahzad Mian, M.D. “It also frees up more time at the end of residency for more focused, tailored studies and even research.”
Dr. Tannen assumed responsibilities as Kellogg’s residency program director in 2019, succeeding Dr. Mian, who had served in the position since 2004.