Physician Scientist Training Pathway (PSTP)

Dear MD/PhD Program Director:

We are writing to request your assistance in making your outstanding medical students, especially MD/PhD trainees, aware of the exceptional opportunities for advanced post-graduate training in our Physician-Scientist Training Pathway (PSTP). The Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa is strongly committed to the development of physician-scientists as future leaders in medical research and education.

Iowa’s unique PSTP Program offers qualified candidates an outstanding opportunity for mentored residency and fellowship training in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Pathology. The multidisciplinary focus of our PSTP program, which is strongly supported by our Collegiate and University leadership, distinguishes us from PSTP programs located in a single department. It also provides a highly-interactive environment in which basic, translational, or clinical research may be pursued in any of the Departments, Centers of Excellence, and Interdisciplinary Programs. Iowa’s College of Medicine is home to our four Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigators, an HHMI-supported institutional training award, a Doris Duke Clinical Scholars Fellowship Training Program, and Post-Graduate Programs in Translational Biomedicine, Clinical Investigation, and Medical Education.

PSTP trainees receive fully comprehensive training in the residency programs in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Pathology, which may be accelerated based on the academic path and board requirements of each trainee (e.g., 2 years in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics). Trainees receive prioritized scheduling of clinical rotations to meet their individualized career goals. Following residency, PSTP members advance to receive specialized research and clinical training in their choice of the full range of available sub-specialty fellowships in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Pathology.

Throughout residency and fellowship PSTP trainees are provided with research and career mentors who have distinguished themselves as leading academicians and scientists. In addition, substantial resources and incentives are provided for career development, research support, stipend, and transition to faculty appointment.

Interested candidates can receive more details at http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/pstp/.

Please consider forwarding this e-mail to students who can benefit from this outstanding opportunity to accelerate their career as physician-scientists in the exciting, supportive, and challenging environment of the PSTP program at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.

Respectfully yours,

David J. Kusner, M.D., Ph.D. John A. Widness, M.D.
Professor, Internal Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics,
Molecular Physiology & Biophysics Director, Neonatology Fellowship
Director, PSTP Associate Director, PSTP
University of Iowa University of Iowa