The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin: A Comprehensive Overview
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offers a robust and well-established Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Residency Program, designed to cultivate future leaders in physiatry. Under the esteemed direction of Karin Goodfriend, MD, an associate professor, the department is dedicated to fostering an outstanding training environment for clinicians, academicians, and rehabilitation leaders. This integrated program leverages the resources of three major teaching hospitals, providing residents with a broad and deep educational experience.
A Foundation of Expertise and Support
A cornerstone of the MCW PM&R Residency Program is its distinguished faculty, comprising 29 well-trained, knowledgeable, friendly, and committed members. A significant strength of this faculty lies in their dual training; many are experts in PM&R and also hold subspecialty qualifications in areas such as pediatrics, spinal cord injury medicine, stroke rehabilitation, interventional spine care, electrodiagnostic medicine, or pain management. This high level of expertise significantly enhances bedside teaching and didactic sessions, offering residents unparalleled opportunities for learning.
The program actively supports its residents, fellows, and medical students, cultivating a supportive atmosphere conducive to both working and learning. This commitment to a positive environment is mirrored in the superlative care provided to patients, a dedication evident across all departmental services.
Diverse Rotational Experience: Balancing Inpatient and Outpatient Care
The MCW PM&R Residency Program distinguishes itself by offering a nearly equal balance between inpatient and outpatient rotations, a feature that contrasts with many other programs. Residents dedicate approximately 12 months to inpatient care, another 12 months to outpatient settings, and 2 months to consults service. Further enriching the curriculum, 4 clinical months are specifically allocated to electromyography (EMG) and 3 months are available for electives, allowing residents to tailor their training to specific interests.
The program also offers specialized tracks to cater to diverse career aspirations. The Research Intensive Track provides protected research time, non-competitive funding, significant mentorship, and expanded project opportunities, ideal for residents pursuing a career in clinical investigation. For those interested in medical education, the Education Track offers protected time for an education project, fostering the development of future educators.
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Program Structure and Logistics: Convenience and Accessibility
Convenience and ease of training are hallmarks of the MCW program. The Medical College of Wisconsin is situated on a suburban campus that offers easy access, ample parking, and close proximity to its major teaching hospitals. Froedtert Hospital and Children's Wisconsin are located on the same campus, interconnected by walkways, which facilitates seamless attendance at didactics and coursework. The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, another key affiliated hospital, is also readily accessible.
The program adheres strictly to the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) and accepts applications exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Application review commences in October, with interview invitations extended thereafter. The Residency Leadership Team meticulously reviews each candidate's portfolio, assessing their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity. The supplemental ERAS application, available from August 1st, is designed to provide further insight into applicants and their alignment with the program's setting and mission. Prospective residents are strongly advised to apply to multiple preliminary or transitional year (PGY1) positions due to their limited availability.
Commitment to Resident Development and Well-being
The MCW PM&R Residency is committed to developing outstanding clinical and academic physiatrists who are desired in the marketplace and possess the knowledge, skills, behavior, and attitude for success. This includes a focus on passionate professionalism and the ultimate goal of board certification.
Resident work hours are closely monitored to ensure compliance with all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) mandates, with the program consistently adhering to the 80-hour work week. Residents take call from home, covering one of the affiliate hospitals. Call frequency increases for PGYII residents and becomes less frequent for PGYIII and PGYIV residents, typically occurring once every 4-6 weeks during the PGYII year and every 8-10 weeks in subsequent years. Each resident is granted three weeks of vacation annually, with coverage managed amongst the residents.
Elective rotations are assigned during the PGY3 and PGY4 years, empowering residents to shape their learning experiences by focusing on areas of particular interest.
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Fostering Research and Scholarly Activity
The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of rehabilitation. A resident research requirement is integral to this mission. Each resident participates in Research Methods Didactics led by the PM&R Research Director, a focused lecture series designed to guide the development of individual research projects. All residents are expected to complete a project by the end of their three-year residency, typically by collaborating with a faculty mentor. An active research committee assists residents in identifying mentors and formulating projects within the scope of the residency. During the PGYII year, residents identify and submit a research topic for review, presenting their ideas at committee meetings. Project work spans the PGYII and PGYIII years, with protected time carved out from clinical duties to ensure project goals are met. Optimally, residents aim to submit an abstract to a national meeting and a manuscript for publication during their PGYIV year.
The program also offers opportunities for career development as a clinician-investigator, including potential grant funding and post-residency appointments with protected research time. For those seeking to gain experience in research, a research elective is available for smaller projects. The program actively encourages residents to present their work at national meetings, and MCW residents have a history of receiving awards for their research contributions. Moonlighting is permitted, provided it does not violate ACGME work-hour guidelines and meets administrative requirements.
A Supportive and Engaging Environment
The MCW PM&R Residency Program places a high value on personal and professional well-being, striving to provide a collegial, supportive, and nurturing environment. To foster camaraderie and open communication, each resident class participates in an annual retreat, excusing them from all duties. These retreats include social time and structured sessions for discussing the program, career and financial planning, and mental wellness. A variety of social gatherings are organized throughout the year, including recreational activities, a holiday party, picnics, and end-of-year festivities.
Milwaukee: A Vibrant City for Living and Learning
The Medical College of Wisconsin is situated in Milwaukee, a city celebrated for its vibrant and diverse culture. This charming, yet metropolitan, destination is located just 90 minutes north of Chicago and rests on the shores of Lake Michigan. Milwaukee offers a wealth of cultural experiences, from Summerfest, the world's largest music festival, to the historic charm of the Third Ward and numerous cafés, beer gardens, and restaurants along its riverbanks and shoreline. Milwaukee provides a dynamic backdrop for residents to live and train.
Affiliated Hospitals and Institutions
The MCW PM&R Residency Program draws upon the extensive resources of its affiliated hospitals, providing a wide spectrum of clinical experiences. These include:
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- Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center: Rated as a '1A' facility, it delivers complex tertiary care and serves as the regional Spinal Cord Injury and Breast Care Center.
- Froedtert Hospital: The region's only academic medical center, a 516-bed Level I Trauma Center with a multidisciplinary cancer center.
- Children's Wisconsin: A 306-bed Level I Trauma Center, providing specialized pediatric care.
- Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital: Located in a nearby suburban community, offering additional clinical exposure.
- Advocate Aurora Health Care Hospitals: Including St. Luke's Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital, and West Allis Medical Center.
- Ascension Healthcare SE Wisconsin: Including Columbia St. Mary's Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital.
These institutions collectively ensure that residents are exposed to a vast array of clinical pathology, diverse patient populations, and complex cases, preparing them for a wide range of practice settings.
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