Pathways of Distinction Mentorship Program
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 medical pathway 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/Quality Improvement
The Clinical Research/Quality Improvement POD provides residents interested in a career in clinical research and/or Quality Improvement 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 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.
Paul Heidenreich, MD
POD Co-Director
Vice Chair of Medicine for Quality
Kenneth Mahaffey
POD Co-Director
Vice Chair of Medicine for Research
Lisa Shieh, MD
POD Co-Director
Clinical Professor
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 populations of East Palo Alto and surrounding San Mateo County.
Michele Barry, MD
POD Co-Director
Sr. Associate Dean of Global Health
Cybele Renault, MD
POD Co-Director
Program Lead in Global Health
Clinical Teaching
The Clinical Teaching Pathway of Distinction is designed for the resident who aspires to be a master clinician and educator, committed to acquiring advanced bedside skills and dedicated to teaching the art and science of being a clinician. This POD will provide hands-on training in medical education and bedside skills including physical diagnosis, communication and ultrasound. As residents progress, they will learn the fundamentals of medical education and have numerous opportunities to teach in a supervised setting, receive faculty feedback and develop an education portfolio.
Additional opportunities will be made available for clinician development through the Educators for CARE program and Teaching Academy offered through the Stanford School of Medicine. Participants will also receive guidance and mentorship in curricular innovation and research in medical education under the mentorship of core faculty. Upon completion of this pathway, residents will be prepared for successful and fulfilling careers in academic medicine.
Abraham Verghese, MD
POD Co-Director
Vice Chair of Medicine for Education
Poonam Hosamani, MD
POD Co-Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
Samantha Wang, MD
POD Co-Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
Basic Science
The Basic/Translational Science POD is designed to support residents interested in careers in basic/translational biomedical research. Residents in this POD will attend meetings throughout the year, receiving intensive mentorship and individualized guidance on navigating special basic/translational science-oriented programs available through the Stanford School of Medicine.
Paul Bollyky, MD
POD Co-Director
Associate Professor
Vinicio de Jesus Perez, MD
POD Co-Director
Co-Director, Stanford TIP Pathway
Joshua Knowles, MD
POD Co-Director
Co-Director, Stanford TIP Pathway
Joy Wu, MD
POD Co-Director
Co-Director, Stanford TIP Pathway
Innovation/Biodesign/Informatics
The Innovation/Biodesign/Informatics POD is designed for individuals with career interests in innovation, biodesign, and/or biomedical informatics and harnesses 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, biodesign and informatics, focusing on didactics, mentorships, and career opportunities in these fields. A dedicated course is available for senior residents in this POD.
Lance Downing, MD
POD Co-Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
Shreya Shah, MD
POD Co-Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
Sid Sinha, MD
POD Co-Director
Assistant Professor