Internal Medicine Residency
Categorical Program
Department of Medicine
Gray Bigelow 730
55 Fruit Street
Boston,
MA
02114
Phone: 617-726-5820
Fax: 617-724-7441
Email: mghimresidency@mgh.harvard.edu
Hours:
8:30 am to 5 pm
Explore the Categorical Program
Overview
The Mass General Categorical Program is purposely designed to build professional skills over three distinct years. Each year teaches fundamental skills that build on themselves the following year. The PGY-1 (intern) year focuses on foundational clinical skills and best practices for team-based care. The PGY-2 (Junior/JAR) year emphasizes team leadership and advanced clinical skills in ICU settings. The PGY-3 (Senior/SAR) year teaches hospital and systems level management skills and prepares residents for their future careers. Given the fundamental importance of education, teaching skills are interwoven throughout all three years.
Program Structure
Intern Year
Interns in the Categorical Program learn the basics of patient evaluation and management through a combination of inpatient, ambulatory and elective rotations. This is enhanced by additional learning experience such as simulation, didactics, and guidance from mentors, firm chiefs, chief residents and program leadership.
While each categorical intern’s schedule may vary, the following provides an overview of the core rotations for the year:
| General Medicine (Bigelow-Flex) | 3 months |
| Ambulatory Rotations | 1.5 months |
| Ambulatory Electives | 1.5 months |
| Newton Wellesley Hospital Community Hospital Experience |
0.5-1 month |
| Oncology Leukemia, Lymphoma Myeloma or Solid Onc |
0.5-1 month |
| Cardiac Step-down Unit | 0.5 month |
| Medical Intensive Care Unit | 1 month |
| Emergency Department | 0.5 month |
| Electives Career Exploration |
1 month |
| Back Up – Self Design | 0.5 month |
| Vacation | 1 month |
Junior Year
The junior year teaches core principles of leadership by focusing on leading inpatient teams on the Bigelow-Flex General Medicine Service. In this role, junior residents supervise patient care and provide education for interns and medical students. Significant time is also spent in the cardiac and medical intensive care units, where residents acquire advanced clinical skills. More elective time affords junior residents the opportunity to explore clinical subspecialties and research interests, as well as optional away experiences.
While each categorical junior resident’s schedule may vary, the following provides an overview of the core rotations for the year:
| General Medicine (Bigelow-Flex) Team Leader |
1.5 months |
| Ambulatory Rotations | 1.5 months |
| Ambulatory Electives | 1.5 months |
| Cardiac Step-Down Unit Cardiology and Critical Care Training |
0.5-1 month |
| Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Cardiology and Critical Care Training |
0.5-1 month |
| Medical Intensive Care Unit Critical Care Training |
0.5-1 month |
| Emergency Department | 0.5 month |
| Pathways Deeper Dive into the science of “Why” |
0.5 month |
| Electives Career Exploration |
2 months |
| Back Up – Self Design | 0.5-1 month |
| Vacation | 1 month |
Senior Year
The senior year of residency balances hospital-wide roles (ED triage, medical consultation, and Code Team leadership) with additional team leadership responsibilities in the ICU and oncology units.Considerable time is spent providing education for junior residents, interns, and medical students. Elective time during the senior year is available to allow the pursuit of research opportunities and for career preparation, with many choosing to arrange an international experience. Seniors also have the opportunity to take on administrative and educational leadership roles overseeing Newton-Wellesley (community hospital) rotations, the simulation curriculum, Health Equity programming, and more.
While each categorical senior resident’s schedule may vary, the following provides an overview of the core rotations for the year:
| Night Teach Overnight Teaching & Supervision |
1-1.5 months |
| Ambulatory Rotations | 1.5 months |
| Ambulatory Electives | 1.5 months |
| Cardiac Step-Down Unit Team Leader |
0.5 month |
| Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Team Leader |
0.5 month |
| Medical Intensive Care Unit Team Leader |
0.5 month |
| Senior On (Triage) Hospital Leader: Run Codes, Manage Acutely Ill, Triage Patients |
1-1.5 months |
| Medical Consultation | 0.5 month |
| Oncology Team Leader |
0.5-1 month |
| Newton Wellesley Hospital Team Leader |
0.5-1 month |
| Electives Career Preparation |
1.5 months |
| Back Up – Self Design | 1 month |
| Vacation | 1 month |
Resident Development and Roadmap
While each resident’s growth and development is unique, the Categorical Program at Mass General is designed to help each resident gain skills that will set them up for a successful leadership career in medicine. Mass General resident development follows a roadmap with each year designed to teach fundamental skills that builds on themselves. Residents benefit from guidance offered by various mentors, coaches and colleagues.
Application Process
All applications for the Categorical Program are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS). All interested applicants should select the Mass General Categorical Program (NRMP # #1261140C0) on their ERAS application. The deadline for applications is September 23, 2025, midnight ET. All invitations to interview will be granted no later than November 30, 2025.
With multiple tracks available within the Internal Medicine Residency Program, we encourage applicants to explore the different opportunities available and apply to the program(s) that best match your interests. Applicants interested in the Categorical Program can simultaneously apply for the Primary Care program. Your application will be reviewed by screeners in each program you have selected.
If you are interested in the Physician Scientist Program (PSP), applicants should apply directly to the Stanbury PSTP Internal Medicine Residency Program (NRMP # 1261140C2) via ERAS and you will be screened by the PSP program only.
Full application details can be found here.
Faculty and Staff
William Kormos, MD
Program Director
Gabby Mills
Director of Residency Administration
Rachel Bukis
Program Manager - Internal Medicine Residency Program
Hannah Burks-Rodriguez
Administrative Coordinator - Residency & Undergrad Med Education
Libby Cunningham
Program Manager - Education and Technology
Diane Ford
Program Manager - Ambulatory Training
Gina Nigro
Program Manager - Global Medicine
Katerina Patras
Project Coordinator - Internal Medicine Residency Program
Laura Ricci
Program Coordinator - Primary Care and Rural Health
Paula Prout
Project Coordinator - Internal Medicine Residency Program
Jade Connor-Eruchalu, Lauren Maldonado, Sarah Tait, and Elliott Winford
Chief Residents
The full list of associate program directors, firm chiefs and core educators can be found here.
Internal Medicine Residency Program
For more than 75 years, our program has brought experience, commitment and a rigorous and balanced approach to the training.