UC Davis Health
Department of Internal Medicine

Program Tracks | Residency Program | Department of Internal Medicine | UC Davis Health

Elective Tracks

med students during match day

We believe that residency training should not be "one-size-fits-all" but instead allow residents to customize and augment their training experience based on their unique interests and future career paths. Our "Elective Tracks" are one key method in which we allow residents to tailor their training. These are completely optional tracks that residents can choose to complete to get extra exposure, teaching, mentorship, and importantly protected time to hone skills. Some residents choose to do none of these tracks; others do nearly all of them over the course of their residency. These elective tracks are available to our Categorical, Primary Care, and IM-Psych residents.

  • Hospitalist

    The 1 or 2-year track includes required hospitalist screening rotations and a new independent practice rotation where residents experience work as a hospitalist at UC Davis Medical Clinics under supervision. 

    Learn More About the Hospitalist Track

  • Leadership

    The Leadership Track is a one-year track that  provides supplemental training on key aspects of being a leader in medicine, including developing a vision, managing change, mentoring, communicating effectively in challenging situations, and developing your team members.

    Learn More About the Leadership Track

  • Medical Education

    We have an established one-year Medical Education Track, which includes supplemental training and mentorship experiences for residents seeking a clinician-educator career.

    Learn More About the Medical Education Track

  • Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)

    The POCUS Track is starting in Summer 2024. It is a two-year longitudinal program (R2 and R3) for residents to become proficient in basic high-yield POCUS applications, via completion of online modules and acquisition of a comprehensive image portfolio.

    Learn More About the POCUS Track

  • Quality Improvement (QI)

    Our Quality Improvement Track provides additional training in hospital medicine skills, particularly in the areas of leadership and quality improvement. This is a one-year track for most, but some extend it into a second year.

    Learn More About the QI Track

  • Research

    This prepares interns for research and extends into electives in their second and third years. This structured process has been instrumental to residents accomplishing scholarly activity and publications, which makes them much stronger fellowship applicants.

    Learn More About the Research Track

  • Rural

    The Internal Medicine Rural Track is an opportunity for Internal Medicine interns and IM/Psychiatry residents who are considering a future career in rural or indigenous communities.  

    Learn More About the Rural Track