Internal Medicine Residency Program

Jason Swoger
Level: PGY-2
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Hobbies: Cooking, Golf, Travel

Reflecting back on my internship year, I continue to be extremely satisfied with my choice to train at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. I have not only received a strong foundation in basic Internal Medicine, but have had the opportunity, on a daily basis, to treat patients with very challenging and complex illnesses. It is the rare patient that is admitted with only one, straightforward problem. Several diseases I have seen were ones I thought I would only read about.

One of the strengths of the residency program is the international reputation for excellence that the Clinic enjoys. Patients come from all over the world to receive treatments that are only available at a few select centers. The incredible diversity of patients I have encountered makes my training richer and more interesting. The scope of services and cutting edge treatments available at the Clinic also allows residents to order almost any test or study they need, at almost any time of the day or night. The Internal Medicine faculty is deserving of their reputation, and they are all committed to educating the house staff. Teaching rounds are a major component aspect of daily education, as are the wide-ranging noon conferences. It is common for the staff to present their latest research, or their most recent national conference presentation to the house staff.

There are an abundance of research opportunities available to residents, and staff physicians are approachable, and are interested in pursuing research projects in every field. The staff are also available to assist residents in evaluating and applying for fellowship positions.
The most pleasant surprise since I came to the Clinic, however, has been the other residents. I have worked with senior residents who support me as needed, but who also give me the freedom and independence to be the patient’s primary physician. Getting a sense of a residency program during a brief interview visit can be difficult, but I have no second thoughts about the choice I made.