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Frequently asked questions
- 01We participate in the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO®) program. Fourth-year medical students have the opportunity to extern with our internal medicine department. We encourage all qualified applicants to visit the department and we invite visiting students to participate in daily conferences. For more information about VSAS, contact medstudents@geisinger.edu.
- 02No. We do not offer observerships.
- 03We accept applications for our program through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Our residency program participates in the National Resident Matching Program. Geisinger Health System (Danville) Internal Medicine Program AAMC ID # 10315771, NRMP Program Code: 1608140C0 AIRE – Internal Medicine-Nephrology Track AAMC ID # 10315771, NRMP Program Code: 1608140C2
- 04View the application timeline.
- 05ERAS application (Electronic Residency Application Service) – Ensure all required documents are submitted through ERAS.Letters of recommendation (LOR)A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required. Four are preferred.One Department of Medicine Structured Evaluation Letter (IM SEL) is required.**The letter may be written by the Department of Medicine Chair, Internal Medicine Clerkship Director, or Dean.Use of the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) recommended standardized template is preferred.**If your medical school does not provide an IM SEL, applicants should submit an additional clinical letter of recommendation in its place.At least one clinical letter of recommendation should be from an internal medicine faculty member.Letters should be written by physicians who are qualified to evaluate your clinical ability and performance.Letters should describe the duration of your clinical experience, as well as your clinical abilities and overall performance.A second clinical letter may be from an internal medicine faculty member or a subspecialty faculty member.An optional letter of recommendation may be provided by clinical faculty or a scholarly project mentor.Personal statementOfficial medical school transcript (translated to English if applicable)Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)Official USMLE/COMLEX transcriptStep 1/Level 1 is required to apply (consideration is given to applicants with pass on first attempt).Step 2/Level 2 is required prior to the match.We highly encourage you to have Step 2/Level 2 scores available by the time ERAS opens for program review. Special consideration will be given to applicants that have Step 2/Level 2 scores available by that time.Applicants from Osteopathic medical schools are not required to have taken the USMLE exams to apply.
- 06Preference is given to applicants who have graduated from medical school within the past 2 years or are currently enrolled in or have completed an ACGME-I accredited internal medicine residency program in their home country.U.S. experience (i.e., clinical or “observership”) is preferred but not required.Geisinger Medical Center does NOT offer observershipsCurrent ECFMG certification (or pending completion status if still in medical school)
- 07Geisinger Medical Center offers both J-1 and H-1B visas to qualified candidates. Note: OPTs are NOT accepted.If you are seeking an H-1B visa, you must have passed USMLE Step 3 and the score report must be available in ERAS by Match Day. Please note that the number of H-1B visas may be limited.
- 08Applicants interested in our program are encouraged to signal us.In accordance with current guidance provided by the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM), applicants should signal programs if interested. This includes programs where an applicant may have done visiting rotations or programs affiliated with an applicant’s own medical school. Please note that all applicants who signal our program will undergo a holistic review for interview consideration, however not all applicants who signal our program will be selected for interview.Our program uses program signals to assist in decisions to offer interview invitations, not for ranking applicants.
- 09All interviews will be conducted virtually this year. We aim to offer an on-site “second look” to interviewees prior to the applicant rank list deadline.We hope you’ll join us on interview day to learn more about the Geisinger difference, our unique training environment and the opportunities we have to offer.Interview invitationsHow invitations are sent: We use the Thalamus interview scheduler system to send interview invitations to prospective applicants.Release schedule: Invitations will be released starting the second week of October, on Tuesdays and Fridays after 3 PM Eastern Time, in accordance with the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine Interview Scheduling guidelines.Majority of invitations: Most of our interview invitations will be sent out by October 16th. After this date, we may continue to offer additional limited invitations or waitlist slots as they become available.Scheduling interviews: Once you receive an invitation, you will have at least two business days to schedule your interview date.Application status notifications: Our program does not routinely provide individual application status updates. Applicants who have not received an interview invitation by the end of November are unlikely to be invited for an interview.Interview datesSchedule: Interviews are held from mid-October until mid-December.Days: Most interview days occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.Sessions: Both morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) sessions are available to accommodate applicants’ schedules and ensure equitable access, regardless of the geographic location of the applicant.If selected for an interview, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about our program more in-depth. You’ll also interact with current residents, which is an integral part of the interview process.
- 10In accordance with current guidance provided by the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM) regarding post-interview communication, applicants are welcome to email program residents, faculty, or leadership with clarifying questions about the program. Applicants can expect an individual response; however, these responses will not indicate or imply an applicant’s likelihood of matching with our program.Applicants are not required to respond to any follow-up communications from our program after receiving a response to their question. A lack of response will not affect an applicant’s status, and post-interview communication has no impact on rank decisions.We do not expect candidates to send thank-you emails or letters. Please do not feel obligated to do so. Applicants who choose to send a thank-you message should not expect a response from the program, and should not interpret a lack of response as lack of interest in their candidacy.
- 11See the program overview page for details, including a sample block schedule.
- 12See the didactics page for details.
- 13As a resident, you will maintain your own patient panels in our general internal medicine (ambulatory medicine) continuity clinic. The newly renovated continuity clinic is conveniently located just off campus at 35 Justin Drive, Danville, PA. It features on-site laboratory services, radiology (X-rays), and free self-parking. Residents follow a 6+2 schedule. This means every 6 weeks of inpatient or elective rotations are followed by 2 weeks in the ambulatory clinic throughout the academic year. During your ambulatory blocks, you will have the opportunity to rotate through a wide range of subspecialty experiences, including: Addiction medicine Behavioral health Cardiology Community practice Culinary medicine Dermatology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Gynecology High-acuity and hospital discharge clinics Infectious Disease Nephrology OMT clinic (for osteopathic recognition residents) Pulmonology Rheumatology Underserved/Free Clinic Wellness & Support: Your schedule includes dedicated administrative and wellness time, along with protected two-day weekends, to support your overall well-being. Educational Resources: Learning is reinforced through the Internal Medicine Ambulatory Curriculum (IMAC), PEAC (Physician Education and Assessment Center) modules, and MKSAP question sets to support board preparation. Elective Opportunities: Residents may further tailor their training and enhance fellowship readiness by selecting additional subspecialty electives during ambulatory blocks.
- 14Addiction medicineBariatric medicine and nutritionCardiologyInterventional cardiologyElectrophysiologyClinical informaticsCritical care medicineEndocrinology (*Starting in July 2027)GastroenterologyAdvanced endoscopyHematology/oncologyHospice and palliative medicineInfectious diseasesNephrologyPulmonary and critical care medicineRheumatologySleep medicineSports medicine
- 15Most (65–70%) of our graduates pursue fellowship training at institutes across the U.S., while 30-40% practice primary care or hospitalist medicine. Approximately 60% practice in Pennsylvania.See where our recent graduates over the past 5 years have taken their careers.
- 16Residency at Geisinger Medical Center offers rigorous clinical training in a supportive environment that encourages growth, reflection, and professional development. As an Internal Medicine resident, you will care for a diverse patient population, learn from experienced faculty, and gain the clinical experience needed to build confidence and independence. Clinical TrainingAs an Internal Medicine resident, you will gain hands-on experience across a wide range of clinical settings, including the ICU, inpatient medicine services, subspecialty rotations, and outpatient clinic. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to care for a diverse and often underserved patient population, with an emphasis on health equity, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care. Nearly all rotations are based at our main hospital and outpatient clinic in Danville, creating a cohesive and immersive training experience. EducationGeisinger Medical Center’s Internal Medicine residency offers a structured curriculum that supports clinical growth, medical knowledge, and lifelong learning. Residents participate in regular educational activities, including morning report, core curriculum lectures, case-based discussions, and interactive workshops. These sessions are designed to strengthen clinical reasoning, support board preparation, and build communication skills. The curriculum also includes content focused on transitions in training, wellness, and professional development. ScholarshipResidents have access to a broad range of scholarly opportunities in clinical research, quality improvement, and medical education. With mentorship and institutional support, residents are encouraged to pursue their academic interests, contribute to meaningful projects, and present their work at regional and national conferences. Professional GrowthThroughout training, residents receive structured feedback, coaching, and mentorship to help clarify career goals, strengthen leadership skills, and guide professional development. Individualized learning plans and ongoing support help prepare residents for success in fellowship, clinical practice, or academic medicine. Supportive EnvironmentGeisinger offers a collaborative and respectful learning environment where residents are supported by accessible faculty, engaged mentors, and a strong sense of community. This culture helps residents grow professionally while supporting their overall well-being. Work-Life BalanceWe recognize the demands of residency and support resident well-being through mentorship, wellness resources, protected time, and a 6+2 schedule. Danville’s natural surroundings, short commutes, and close-knit community also provide space to rest, recharge, and maintain balance outside of work.Check out A Day in the Life of a Geisinger (Central) Internal Medicine Resident!
- 17Choosing where to complete residency means finding a place that supports both professional growth and personal well-being. Danville, Pennsylvania, home to Geisinger Medical Center, offers meaningful training opportunities, natural beauty, and a strong sense of community, making it an ideal setting for residency training. A Supportive Environment for Medical ProfessionalsAs a resident at Geisinger, you will train within a nationally recognized healthcare system while living in a town that values its medical community. Danville’s proximity to the hospital, short commutes, and lower cost of living help create more time for rest, study, and life outside of work. Community That Feels Like HomeDanville offers a welcoming, close-knit community for residents and their families. From local restaurants and coffee shops to seasonal events and farmers markets, the area provides opportunities to connect and feel at home. Safe neighborhoods and highly rated public schools also make Danville an appealing place to settle during training. Nature as a Daily EscapeResidency is demanding, and Danville’s natural surroundings offer easy ways to recharge. Residents can enjoy hiking at Montour Preserve, kayaking on the Susquehanna River, or taking a quiet walk through town. These outdoor spaces provide balance and a meaningful break from the intensity of clinical training. Easy Access, Less StressDanville combines the peace and affordability of small-town living with access to larger cities, including Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C. Minimal traffic and short commutes mean residents spend less time traveling and more time focusing on work, wellness, and personal priorities. Affordable, Comfortable LivingDanville’s lower cost of living allows residents to live comfortably while completing training. Affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, and a welcoming atmosphere make it easier to focus on residency while maintaining a strong quality of life. For those with partners or families, the area also offers excellent schools and a supportive community.
- 18Our program is committed to providing the best possible experience for our future residents and their significant others. To learn more about the couples match process, we invite you to explore this feature story highlighting one of our residents and his wife: Couples matching
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