The Primary Care Track of the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program was founded in July 1985, to enhance the outpatient training of internal medicine residents.
In the intervening years, the track has evolved to meet the needs of our trainees interested in outpatient medicine. Residents interested in primary care are encouraged to apply to UAB and to join the track so that they may help to shape the future of education in primary care.
Primary Care Track
The Primary Care Track is open to all residents who have an interest in ambulatory medicine. Residents who enroll in the primary care track will be given preference for the Whitaker clinic as their outpatient clinic. Components of the track include an option for an outpatient primary care elective month in the PGY2 and PGY3 year, which provides an opportunity for exposure to clinics not typically encountered in the traditional internal medicine block months, such as private practice groups, concierge medicine, sports medicine, HIV care and ENT. In addition, the primary care track will host regular didactic sessions covering ambulatory medicine, the business of medicine, career planning and other topics pertaining to outpatient medicine.
Primary Care (PC) Scholars Program
Residents may apply to join the PC Scholars program at the end of their intern year. The PC Scholars program offers those selected a unique and enriched primary care experience in the PC Scholars Clinic. This is an immersive ambulatory clinic experience where residents are embedded in a high functioning full time outpatient primary care clinic. Scholars carry their own panel and work one-on-one with a full time primary care attending throughout their second and third years. Residents selected for this clinic also receive a one time monetary stipend.
Primary Care Scholars are seen as leaders in outpatient medicine for our program as a whole. Our PC Scholars routinely participate in quality improvement projects and other curricular initiatives. In recent years, residents have developed lectures, led introduction to clinic sessions for interns, and moderated panels for graduating residents as they begin their job searches.
Perspectives from Current PC Scholars
“Being a PC scholar and having the immersive opportunity to care for my own panel of patients under the guidance of skilled faculty was an enriching experience for me in residency. You will develop patient and staff relationships you will always remember, and gain invaluable experience that will prepare you for your post-residency career."
— Dr. David Heaner, recent graduate
"Participating in the PC Scholars program was the most impactful experience of my residency training. Managing my own panel of patients with the guidance of dedicated one-on-one faculty mentorship gave me confidence and skills to transition seamlessly into a career in primary care. I highly recommend this program to anyone pursuing primary care or any outpatient specialty that emphasizes continuity of care.”
— Dr. Emmitt Turner, recent graduate
Interested?
The Primary Care Track is a post-match option for residents interested in gaining more exposure to ambulatory medicine during residency training. Residents interested in being a PC Scholar apply in the spring of their PGY1 year.
William "Mack" Brown, MD