Physician Scientist Pathway

The Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) is a program within the Osler Medical Residency that is intended to produce clinically well-trained scientists. Our goal is to recruit, inspire, develop, and retain physician scientists who will make scientific breakthroughs for the future of medicine. This program formalizes a long tradition of these goals at Johns Hopkins. 

Our Residents

About the Program

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine has long been at the forefront of medical education and the training of physician scientists. This environment affords trainees a wide range of research options within an institution with a strong historical commitment to the physician scientist model and with unparalleled mentorship, depth and breadth of scientific accomplishments, and spirit of discovery and innovation. The program provides continued clinical and scientific education, mentorship, networking opportunities, and career advice.

The goal of the Physician Scientist Training Program is to provide young physician scientists opportunities to flourish within their research in the biomedical sciences and to facilitate the early career development of individuals with the high potential to conduct transformative research to advance human health.

The Physician Scientist Training Program aims to:

  • Expose trainees to broad intensive clinical training. Some of the most important research questions come from the bedside.
  • Foster an environment of intellectual curiosity through exposure to PhD, MD/PhD and MD scientists throughout the University. This will occur through clinical rotations, journal clubs, specialized lectures, and social events with Johns Hopkins scientists.
  • Develop research goals and fellowship plans and facilitate meetings with Johns Hopkins researchers in the trainees’ area of interest.
  • Match trainees into their chosen fellowship programs at Johns Hopkins, facilitating the continuous development of their research interests over time.

Several reports published during the past 35 years have chronicled the decrease in physician-scientists in the biomedical workforce. Learn more about the JHSOM Physician Scientist Training Program.

Internal Funding Opportunities

Program Structure

The Physician Scientist Training Program of the Osler Medical Residency has a separate application track through ERAS. Information on how to apply to this track can be found here. Invited applicants will interview with both the categorical program and the physician scientist program (each held on different days). Eligible applicants include MD/PhDs in biomedical sciences, bioengineering and epidemiology, or MDs without formal doctoral training but with at least three years of biomedical research experience, publications in biological sciences, and who anticipate independent research careers. Upon matching into the Osler Medical Residency as a member of the PSTP, participants will be guaranteed a fellowship spot, contingent upon meeting clinical competency during their time in the Osler Medical Residency and are meeting all other milestones and expectations of Osler residents.

Members of the PSP receive longitudinal mentorship and linkage to research mentors from PSP leadership, and participate in an annual two-week PSP elective (example schedule below). The pathway consists of two or three years of intensive clinical work in Osler Medical Residency and is designed to meet all criteria required by the ABIM for certification eligibility. This decision to pursue the ABIM research pathway (i.e., “fast track” with 2 years of internal medicine residency) is made in conjunction with the program directors in the middle of the intern year and allows qualified candidates to begin their sub-specialty fellowship training in lieu of their third year of residency. Regardless of the path chosen, the rigors of the Osler Medical Residency ensure our trainees are extremely well prepared for clinical practice in medical subspecialty fellowships and as future leaders in biomedical sciences.

Below is an example of a fast-tracking PSP resident schedule (for non-fast tracking PSP residents, the schedule will be the same as non-PSP residents).

Year 1: Develop superior clinical skill

Service Blocks (2 weeks)  Call Cycle Patients Role Inpatient/Outpatient
Osler 7-8 Q4 call GIM Primary Provider Inpatient
Brancati 1 Days/Nights GIM Primary Provider Inpatient
Medical Progressive Care Unit 1-2 - GIM Primary Provider Inpatient
Emergency Department 1 - ED Primary Provider Inpatient
MICU 2 Q4 call Intensive Care Primary Provider Inpatient
CCU 1 Q3 call Intensive Care Primary Provider Inpatient
Oncology 1-2 - BMT/Solids/Leuks Primary Provider Inpatient
Ambulatory 6-7 - Continuity/Rheum/Endo Primary Provider Outpatient
Vacation 2 - 2 two-weeks + 7d winter - -

Year 2: Explore subspecialty medicine, investigation, and clinical leadership

Service Blocks (2 weeks) Call Cycle Patients Role Inpatient/Outpatient
Osler 2 - GIM Supervising Resident/Primary Provider Inpatient
Carol Johns 1 - Pulmonary Primary Provider Inpatient
Brancati 1 - GIM Supervising Resident/Primary Provider Inpatient
Medical Progressive Care Unit 1 - GIM Supervising Resident/Primary Provider Inpatient
MEG 1 - Hepatology Primary Provider Inpatient
MICU/CCU 4 Q3 or Q4 call Critical Care Supervising Resident/Primary Provider Inpatient
PCCU 1 Q4 call General Cardiology and Heart Failure Primary Provider Inpatient
Polk 1 - Infectious Diseases Supervising Resident/Primary Provider Inpatient
Oncology 1 Q4 call BMT/Solids/Leuks Supervising Resident/Primary Provider Inpatient
Jeopardy 1 - - - -
Ambulatory 6-7 - - Primary Provider Outpatient
Elective 2 - - - -
Vacation 2 - 2 two-weeks + 7d winter - -

PSP 2-week Elective Schedule

Over the 10 days you will have daily presentations in the morning from faculty leaders including physician scientists in academics and those who have transitioned to industry or moved to technology outside of academics while remaining faculty. 

In the afternoon each day, you will have the opportunity to meet one on one with the PSP Pathway directors, potential mentors and collaborators, and with recent PSP graduates. These discussions are individualized to the needs of the resident and focus on career development and research planning.

Leadership

  • Ramana Sidhaye, MD

    • Director of the Physician-Scientist Pathway, Osler Residency Program

    Expertise: Pulmonology

  • Eileen Scully, MD PhD

    • Director of the Physician-Scientist Pathway, Osler Residency Program

    Expertise: Infectious Diseases