Internal Medicine Residency Program
Resident Life
The 2026-2027 Internal Medicine Chief Residents on the Vanderbilt University Hospital helipad with the Nashville skyline in the background.
Juan Armstrong, MD
VA Outpatient Chief Resident
VUMC Resident Voices
“Training at Vanderbilt means being part of a world-class residency and getting to call one of the most fun cities in the country ‘home.’ Nashville has it all — amazing food, live music on every corner, beautiful places to get outside, and a year-round lineup of concerts, festivals, and sports that keep things exciting.
It’s a city full of transplants, which means you’ll find a little bit of everywhere here: from the coasts to the heartland, from the deep South to the far North. That mix gives the city an energy and openness that makes it easy to feel at home. We pour a lot into our work, and we make time to recharge outside the hospital too, because taking care of ourselves helps us take better care of others. We are proud to call Nashville home, and we think you'll love it just as much as we do.”
Ashley Ciosek, MD
VA Chief Resident for Quality and Safety
VUMC Resident Voices
"Residency is a transformational period of life. It is important to choose a residency program that will simultaneously prepare you for the real challenges of a career in medicine while also providing you with the camaraderie and out-of-residency experiences we all need to recuperate. Residency friendships are forged in fire and run deep. I chose Vanderbilt IM because it immediately felt simultaneously warm and challenging; three years in, I can confidently make these same claims. Nashville's variety of seasons, festivals, pro sports teams, outdoor parks, and nearby trails offer a great backdrop when it's time to rest and recover. You arrive to the Vanderbilt IM program as a smart, capable MD; you graduate the program as a pragmatic, flexible, relatable, knowledgeable physician."
Wellness Committee
The Internal Medicine Residency Wellness Committee is dedicated to promoting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of residents across the program. Recognizing that wellness is individualized and shaped by both personal and systemic factors. The committee supports resident well-being through meaningful community-building, social events, mentorship, friendly house-based competitions, and ongoing efforts to improve the clinical learning environment. House-based competitions in residency are gamified, year-long programs where residents are divided into cross-year teams – or "houses" – to foster camaraderie, boost morale, and incentivize participation in educational and wellness activities.
Roles of the Wellness Committee include:
- Planning resident-centered wellness events, including social gatherings, house-based events, holiday rounds, and other opportunities for residents to connect outside of clinical duties.
- Supporting “Funuary” and other wellness initiatives that create space for fun, connection, and community during residency.
- Strengthening the House System by fostering camaraderie, mentorship, and friendly competition among resident cohorts.
- Promoting workplace-based wellness, with attention to improving the day-to-day resident experience within the clinical learning environment.
- Identifying and addressing system-level concerns that affect resident well-being, including stressors related to workload, time constraints, and workroom comfort.
- Partnering with faculty and program leadership to keep wellness efforts resident driven and faculty supported.
- Encouraging resident involvement and feedback so that wellness programming reflects the needs and ideas of the residency community.
If you have questions or are interested in getting involved with the Wellness Committee, please email Dr. Chris Terndrup.
Nashville recommendations from Chief Residents
Classic Nashville
- Grand Ole Opry – Legendary weekly radio show with live country music performances
- Ryman Auditorium – Must-see historic venue in the heart of downtown with top-tier acoustics
Smaller Venues and Listening Rooms
- The Bluebird Cafe – Iconic songwriting venue in Green Hills (where Taylor Swift got discovered)
- The Listening Room – Singer-songwriter showcases with full dinner/drink service
- The Local – Cozy spot with frequent local acts from singers/songwriters with amazing food and an even better vibe
- Rudy's Jazz Room - Cozy, mellow lounge featuring jazz musicians, classic cocktails and traditional Cajun/Creole dishes
- Station Inn – Premier spot for bluegrass in Nashville
- Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn dive bar transplant with strong honky-tonk vibes
Outdoor and Seasonal
- Ascend Amphitheater – Beautiful open-air venue right downtown near the river
- Musicians Corner – Free outdoor concerts every spring/summer at Centennial Park
Symphonic and Classical
- Nashville Symphony (Schermerhorn Symphony Center) – Rotating schedule of classical and seasonal concerts
Sit-down Meals
- Barcelona Wine Bar – Lively tapas spot with excellent cocktails and a great patio
- Butcher and Bee – Seasonal, shareable plates with Middle Eastern influences
- Iberian Pig – Chic Spanish spot with craft cocktails and charcuterie
- Kisser – Elevated Japanese comfort food in East Nashville (lunch only)
- Lyra – Eastern Mediterranean with inventive twists and a beautiful interior
- Noko – Modern Asian wood-fired concept in East Nashville
- Oku – Modern sushi spot with sleek décor and creative rolls
- Pelato – Small Italian plates in a cozy Germantown venue
- Rolf and Daughters – Inventive New American cuisine in Germantown. Trendy and always excellent
- Sadie’s – Modern Mediterranean that transitions well from dinner to drinks
Wine and Cocktail-forward Spots
- Attaboy – Custom cocktail experience — no menu, just vibes
- Mother’s Ruin – Cocktails, beer, and snacks served in a comfortable bar with a diverse crowd and a patio
- Old Glory – Subterranean bar offers elevated cocktails served in a historic boiler room with iron and concrete
- Otto’s – Stylish neighborhood hangout with natural wines and small casual plates
- Patterson House – Speakeasy-style craft cocktail bar with a quiet, upscale vibe
- Pearl Diver – Tiki bar with tropical vibes and a killer outdoor space
Breakfast and Brunch
- Brightside Bakeshop – Local bakery for pastries, coffee, and relaxed mornings
- Benji's Bagel & Coffee House – Comfort brunch with Southern flair and great outdoor seating
- The Pancake Pantry – Nashville classic known for long lines and even bigger stacks
Casual Eats / Neighborhood Gems / Takeout
- A-Roi – Low-key spot for quick, flavorful Thai food
- The Centennial – Classic dive sports bar with solid food in The Nations
- Degthai – Fast-casual Thai with bold flavors
- Greko Greek Street Food – Authentic Greek street food done right
- Jack Brown’s Burger Joint – No-fuss burgers with creative toppings and beer selection
- Midnight Oil – Relaxed restaurant offering pizza by the slice or pie, including gluten-free options, plus margaritas
- Smith & Lentz – Brewery with a great food menu, especially pizzas and sandwiches
- Southern Grist – Craft brewery with rotating taps and casual eats
- Tailgate Pizza – Craft beer and solid pizza — ideal for casual hangings, especially on half-priced pizza Wednesdays
- Two Ten Jack – Ramen and Japanese-inspired izakaya in East Nashville
International/Street Food-Inspired
- Edessa – Kurdish and Mediterranean dishes served in a warm, welcoming space
- Red Headed Stranger – Southwestern-inspired tacos with creative twists
Dessert / Treats
- Bobbie’s Dairy Dip – Retro soft-serve stand great for milkshakes and nostalgia
- Jeni’s Ice Cream – Cult favorite ice cream with creative, rotating flavors
Breweries and Bars
- Bearded Iris – Known for hazy IPAs and industrial-chic taproom
- Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar – French Quarter vibes and nightly live blues. Go on Saturdays and see Big Monti!
- Monday Night Brewing – Large open space perfect for groups and events
- Neighbors – Laid-back neighborhood sports bar with solid drinks and snacks
- Pins Mechanical – Arcade bar with specialty cocktails, craft beer, duckpin bowling, yard games, pinball and more
- Schulman’s – Cool dive bar energy with good food and a rotating menu
- Von Elrod’s – Beer hall near First Horizon Park; great for pretzels and people-watching
Outdoors / Nature
- Arrington Vineyards – Picturesque vineyard just 30 minutes south of downtown. Great for a weekend afternoon picnic and wine tasting with some bluegrass music!
- Centennial Park – Home of the full-scale Parthenon replica and open lawns
- Natchez Trace Parkway – Scenic drives and historic trails starting just outside the city
- Percy & Edwin Warner Parks – Over 3,000 acres of green space for hiking and biking
- Radnor Lake State Park – Serene trails with wildlife less than 20 minutes from downtown
- Shelby Bottoms Greenway – Flat trails ideal for walking, running, or biking
Kid-Friendly / Family Activities
- Cheekwood Botanical Garden – Seasonal festivals, gardens and art exhibits
- Nashville Public Library – Tons of free programming and great kids’ area
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere – Fun for all ages, plus the annual pass pays for itself
Arts and Culture
- Frist Art Museum – Rotating exhibitions in a beautifully preserved historic post office
- Nashville Farmer’s Market – International food court, produce and local goods
Recreation
- McCabe Golf Course – Accessible public golf course just west of campus
Annual Events and Festivals
- Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival – Multi-day camping fest is about 90 minutes away.
- CMA Music Fest – Country music fans descend on the city each summer
- Pilgrimage Festival – Midsize music/art/food fest in Franklin
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon – Springtime race with live bands along the course
Professional Sports
- Nashville Predators (NHL)
- Nashville SC (MLS)
- Nashville Sounds (AAA Baseball)
- Tennessee Titans (NFL)
Other
- Nashville Guru – Great site to explore restaurants, events and neighborhoods
- Work Life Balance – Weekly curated email of events around town
Watch the video to learn more about what residents love about life in Nashville.