Residency // Mentorship // Pathways of Distinction
Pathways of Distinction
The robust mentorship program and specialized tracks at the Stanford IM residency are complemented by a unique and innovative program designed to provide all residents in our Categorical Program with individualized areas of expertise and distinction. Upon entering the program, interns will have the opportunity to select a Pathway of Distinction (POD) that aligns with their clinical/scholarly interests. Each POD will be directed by a nationally recognized senior faculty member. A resident within a specific POD will have unique professional development opportunities and receive additional targeted mentorship from POD directors. Explore our offered PODS below.
Clinical Research
The Clinical Research POD provides residents interested in a career in clinical research with intensive mentorship and access to unique educational opportunities. In addition to providing an infrastructure for residents to identify and participate in clinical research during their training, the POD will also provide access to focused didactic programs including an intensive course in Clinical Trials and Research directed by Dr. Mahaffey and taught by faculty from throughout the Department and University.
This POD also offers residents the unique opportunity to gain skills and educational experiences in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. The POD will include meetings throughout the year focusing on didactics of Quality research and methodology, explorations of career possibilities in Quality Improvement, and the opportunity to design and work on a team-based Quality Improvement project. Members of this POD will also have the opportunity to enroll in our dedicated residency rotation in Quality Improvement.
Kenneth Mahaffey, MD
Pod Co-Director
Vice Chair of Medicine for Research
Paul Heidenreich, MD
Pod Co-Director
Vice Chair of Medicine for Quality
Underserved Populations/Global Health
The Underserved Populations/Global Health POD is for residents who have an interest in focusing on underserved patient populations, whether domestically or overseas. These residents participate in a host of educational opportunities centered on the approach to and challenges of delivering healthcare in resource-limited settings. Opportunities include the 2-week Intensive Global Health Course, the Case-Based Tropical Medicine Lecture Series, as well as lectures across both the Medical School and the University (encompassing a broad range of topics, such as human rights and ethics). Many residents in this POD will have their continuity clinic at Fair Oaks, where they will care for the underserved population of East Palo Alto and surrounding San Mateo County.
Cybele Renault, MD
Pod Co-Director
Program Lead in Global Health
Michele Barry, MD
Pod Co-Director
Sr. Associate Dean of Global Health
Clinical Teaching
This POD is designed for residents with a career interest in clinical teaching/education. Members of this POD will meet throughout the year, with a focus on clinical excellence, bedside medicine, and the science/art of teaching and education.
Abraham Verghese, MD
Pod Co-Director
Vice Chair of Medicine for Education
Jeffrey Chi, MD
Pod Co-Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
Poonam Hosamani, MD
Pod Co-Director
Clinical Professor
John Kugler, MD
Pod Co-Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
Primary Care
This POD is designed for residents with career interests in Primary Care. It will feature meetings throughout residency focused on building clinical skills in primary care, primary care career opportunities, and opportunities for scholarship. In addition, residents in this POD will have the opportunity to focus their PGY-2 and PGY-3 year schedules on rotations most relevant for careers in primary care.
Baldeep Singh, MD
Pod Co-Director
Director, Stanford Internal Medicine Clinic
President, SGIM California-Hawaii Region
Maja Artandi, MD
Pod Co-Director
Elizabeth Koehler, MD
Pod Co-Director
Nicole Grant, MD
Pod Co-Director
Basic Science
The Basic Science POD is designed to support residents interested in careers in basic biomedical research. Residents in this POD will attend meetings throughout the year, receiving intensive mentorship and individualized guidance on navigating special basic science-oriented programs available through the Stanford School of Medicine.
Ravindra Majeti, MD, PhD
Pod Co-Director
Co-Director, Stanford CIP Pathway
Jeffrey Glenn, MD, PhD
Pod Co-Director
Co-Director, Stanford CIP Pathway
Innovation/Biodesign
This POD is designed for individuals with career interests in innovation and/or biodesign, and will harness the strengths of Stanford’s position as a worldwide leader in these disciplines. Residents in this POD will have meetings throughout residency with leaders in innovation and biodesign, focusing on didactics, mentorship, and career opportunities in these fields.
Sumbul Desai, MD
Pod Co-Director
Associate Chief Medical Officer, Strategy & Innovation
Todd Brinton, MD
Pod Co-Director