The Internal Medicine Preliminary Track at the Medical College of Georgia offers an
exceptional year of hands-on training, mentorship, and clinical experience to prepare
physicians for success in their chosen specialties.
Our preliminary track is a one-year program designed for physicians who need a single
year of internal medicine training before continuing into another specialty.
Length: 1 year (PGY-1 only)
Purpose: Fulfills the prerequisite internal medicine training required by other residencies
such as neurology, anesthesiology, radiology, dermatology, or ophthalmology.
Curriculum: The first-year rotations are almost identical to those of categorical (3-year) internal
medicine interns—ward months, ICU, electives, and clinic. More details can be found
on the Program Home tab of the website.
Outcome: Preliminary residents do not continue in internal medicine after the first year unless
they reapply for a categorical spot.
In contrast, categorical residents are in a 3-year program leading to board eligibility
in internal medicine.
This track provides an enriching and comprehensive year of internal medicine training
that thoroughly prepares trainees for success in their chosen specialties. This program
offers the ideal balance of educational rigor and flexibility, allowing residents
to tailor their intern experience to their future career goals.
Graduates leave the program with a strong foundation in internal medicine that serves
them exceptionally well throughout their subsequent training and professional practice.
Preliminary residents enjoy the same access as categorical residents to our wide range
of educational opportunities, including daily conferences, monthly evidence-based
medicine sessions, morbidity and mortality reviews, and clinical reasoning conferences.
Preliminary Year at MCG: Resident Experience and Educational Impact
Dr. Kenji Yoshida shares his experience in the preliminary track at MCG Internal Medicine
Residency