COMING SOON

Primary Care-Internal Medicine
Residency Program

Training primary care physicians to provide excellent community-based medicine 

The Vanderbilt Primary Care–Internal Medicine Residency Program offers a unique blend of small-program feel and big academic health system resources. Our mission is to train kind, skilled internists who provide excellent primary care across all settings, including regions with reduced access to care. Residents learn in a supportive and collegial environment while benefiting from Vanderbilt’s world-class academic strengths. Our 2+2 schedule provides balance and an emphasis on outpatient care, helping residents thrive both clinically and personally. Additionally, joining the first cohort of residents provides a unique opportunity to help shape this new program for years to come.

 

A focus on community-based learning

In the Primary Care–Internal Medicine Residency Program, you’ll learn medicine where it matters most: in the community. Our program focuses on caring for patients in local clinics and hospitals. You’ll build long-term relationships with patients and gain experience in both suburban and rural care, preparing you to make a difference wherever you practice.

Residents who plan to practice primary care in rural areas within Tennessee should consider the Resident Incentive Program through the Tennessee Center for Health Workforce Development.

An Introduction to Wilson County 

Located in the heart of Wilson County, Lebanon offers a welcoming, close-knit community with affordable housing, locally owned restaurants and unique shops. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy easy access to nearby lakes, parks and hiking trails, while the Historic Square draws foodies and shoppers alike with its charming boutiques and dining options. As one of the fastest growing regions in the country, Wilson County blends small-town charm with suburban and rural living. The area benefits from a top-performing public school system known for its strong academic achievement and high graduation rates. With its proximity to Nashville, one of the nation’s leading health care hubs, Wilson County also provides a highly supportive environment for medical training. Altogether, it’s not just a great place to train—it’s a great place to live!

We use a 2+2 block schedule: Two weeks inpatient/elective/subspecialty followed by two weeks of outpatient medicine. This allows for focused learning and a strong work-life balance. 

  • Outpatient continuity clinic every two weeks, with dedicated teaching and mentorship
  • Varied inpatient experiences, including general medicine, critical care and electives
  • Multiple certifications and pathways are available in areas such as Global Health and EXCellence In TEaching
  • Training in the business of medicine built into the curriculum
  • Ample elective time to tailor your education to your career goals

Rotation Schedule

Rotation PGY-1 PGY-2 PGY-3
Inpatient General Medicine 12 weeks 7-8 weeks 6 weeks
Ambulatory Medicine 18-20 weeks18-20 weeks18-20 weeks
Intensive Care 2 weeks 4 weeks2 weeks
Subspecialty Medicine6 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks
Emergency Medicine 2 Weeks
Night Float 2 weeks 3-4 weeks 3-4 weeks
Elective 6 weeks8 weeks10 weeks
Vacation 3 weeks3 weeks3 weeks

Electives
 

A wide variety of electives are available. Residents may choose elective experiences in subspecialties and in areas of medicine to which they are not otherwise exposed. We also assist residents in creating their own unique elective experiences based on their clinical interests and career goals. Examples of electives include, but are not limited to: 

  • Addiction Medicine
  • Allergy/Immunology
  • Gynecology
  • LGBQT+ Health
  • Podiatry
  • Rural Health
  • Sports Medicine
  • Weight Loss Medicine
  • Wound Care

Certificates and Pathways

Examples of Available Didactics

Ambulatory Didactics
During clinic weeks, two mornings are reserved for didactics. These didactics include ambulatory topics utilizing Johns Hopkins ambulatory modules and the Yale Office-Based Medicine curriculum, as well as Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Caring with Compassion modules. This schedule ensures that residents receive a well-rounded ambulatory education. 

Morning Report
Case-based teaching conference where residents and faculty come together to discuss real patient cases while emphasizing clinical reasoning, diagnostic strategies and evidence-based management. 

Continuous Quality Improvement Conference
In a monthly conference, residents and faculty present real-world clinical or system challenges, analyze contributing factors, and propose possible solutions. This conference helps to foster a culture of safety and teamwork. 

Medicine Grand Rounds
Medicine Grand Rounds are presented Thursdays at noon. The entire Department of Medicine is invited to attend virtually or in person to learn about the latest in disease management and patient care from top faculty at Vanderbilt and invited speakers from across the nation.

Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital offers the best of both worlds: the personalized feel of a community hospital with the backing of one of the nation’s top academic health systems. Located just 30 miles from downtown Nashville, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital is a 245-bed hospital that serves a diverse patient population across Wilson County and surrounding rural communities. 

As the home base for our Primary Care-Internal Medicine Residency, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital provides an ideal environment for residents to develop strong clinical skills in a supportive, patient-centered setting. Residents benefit from close faculty mentorship, collaborative care teams, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in both inpatient and outpatient care. The hospital also offers seamless connections to Vanderbilt’s academic and specialty resources. 

Vanderbilt University Hospital is both a comprehensive general hospital for Nashville/Davidson County and a major tertiary care center. It includes all major medical and surgical specialties, and the emergency service has national and state Level I trauma certifications. Residents will rotate here for some subspecialty rotations, critical care rotations and elective rotations.

An overview of house staff benefits is available on the Office of Graduate Medical Education website here.

We welcome applications from compassionate, motivated students who want to become outstanding primary care internists. 

  • Application cycle: ERAS applications accepted in the fall.
  • Interviews: Virtual interviews held in the fall/winter.
  • NRMP Program Code: Coming soon

U.S. Graduates
Applicants to the Vanderbilt Internal Medicine Residency Program must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). All internship positions will be offered through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). Please be sure to register. 

All applicants are required to submit the following supplemental materials: 

  • Application through ERAS
  • Personal Statement Medical Student Performance Evaluation (Dean's Letter)
  • USMLE Steps 1 & 2 scores or COMLEX 1 & 2; Step 1 and/or COMLEX 1 are required and Step 2 and/or COMLEX 2 scores are preferred at the time of interview; Step 2 and/or COMLEX 2 are required prior to the Rank Order List submission deadline.
  • Letter of recommendation from the Chair (or designee) of your Department of Medicine
  • A letter from two members of the faculty with whom you have worked or who know you well; additional letters may be submitted without penalty 

International Medical Graduates
International medical graduates must contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for their application materials and eligibility requirements. ECFMG-ERAS Program, PO Box 13467, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-3467, USA or visit the ECFMG site to download the application kit. 

Significant clinical experience in the United States is highly recommended. For international medical graduates we require: 

  • Two letters of recommendation from clinical supervisors in the United States
  • USMLE Steps 1 & 2 scores; Step 1 is required at the time of interview, and Step 2 is preferred at the time of interview; Step 2 is required prior to the Rank Order List submission deadline.
  • Medical School graduation within seven years of residency start
  • We sponsor J-1 Visas


Electives/Clerkships
All electives and clerkships are processed via the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Office of the Registrar. For more information, please visit the Registrar's page or call (615) 322-7701.

 

Questions?
If you have any questions about our program, please email wilsonIM@vumc.org. 

Program Leadership

Missy Scalise, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine
Program Director, Primary Care-Internal Medicine Residency Program

Kaylin Craig, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Associate Program Director, Primary Care-Internal Medicine Residency Program