Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Yale University?
- How do I apply?
- Am I allowed to apply to both the HIV Track, and Yale Primary Care Program?
- Why is there a separate match code? Tracks at many other programs
- How many people are in the Yale HIV training track?
- What is a typical rotation format?
- How is the HIV Training Track different from the regular Yale Primary Care Residency?
- What is the Donaldson Service?
- Will I get any separate certification at the end of the residency?
- Will I still be able to apply to the other tracks or research experiences offered at YPC?
- Will I still get the same elective and vacation experiences if I choose the HIVTT?
- With evolving HIV treatment, will this program limit me?
- Who can I talk to if I have further questions?
- What residents are saying about New Haven?
- Why Yale University?
At Yale you will have the opportunity to work with world class physicians and Health Care workers from all disciplines and enjoy the wealth of educational experience. In addition, Yale provides a warm and safe environment to grow professionally and personally, as well as building life long relationship.
- How do I apply?
The Yale Primary Care HIV training track (HIVTT) has a separate NRMP code from the Yale Primary Care (YPC) and Traditional Internal Medicine Programs. To apply, you can click HIV track on your ERAS application and then use the following code on your NRMP match list:
NRMP Match Code for HIV Training track 1089140M1
- Am I allowed to apply to both the HIV Track, and Yale Primary Care Program?
Certainly! If you are interested in both tracks, please do so! After all you will be part of the same program. However, if you want to gain extra training in HIV and LBGTQ, The HIV Training Track will provide you with this additional expertise.
- Why is there a separate match code? Tracks at many other programs
This track offers a uniquely robust and immersive experience into the primary care of an HIV patient. Because your continuity clinic, some clinical rotations, and advisor would be through the HIVTT (outlined below in FAQ#6), we feel it is important to have a separate match. In addition, If you want to guarantee that you will be enrolled in an HIV Training program, you will have the opportunity to choose upfront to match in this Yale HIV Track.
- How many people are in the Yale HIV training track?
There are 2 residents per year in the HIV training track each year with a total cohort of 6. Though the HIV training track has a separate match code and continuity clinics, they are considered part of the overall Yale Primary Care Resident community of 18 residents per year and a compliment of total 54 residents. In this way, the program has both the personalization of a small program with the community of a medium/large program.
- What is a typical rotation format?
Yale primary care residents rotate on a 6+2 schedule. This, however does not mean 6 weeks inpatient, 2 weeks outpatient. All YPC residents including the HIVTT have approximately 6 months inpatient and 6 month outpatient each year.
During their +2 (ambulatory) blocks, residents in the HIVTT will either be entirely at Nathan Smith Clinic (3 blocks per year) to focus on HIV primary care, PreP and LGBTQ training, or at the New Haven Primary Care Consortium (NHPCC) (3 blocks per year), though interns will always have a half day of "intern curriculum" on every block.
During NHPCC blocks, residents will have at least 2 half days at Nathan Smith Clinic. The distribution of other subspecialty clinics varies from block to block (and is different for residents vs. interns). Interns will rotate through addiction, psychiatry neurology, women's clinic, dermatology, diabetes, and urgent care clinics. Residents will rotate through rheumatology, hypertension, diabetes, addiction, dermatology, urgent care, and preop clinics. The distribution of subspecialty clinics is somewhat tailored to each resident.
- How is the HIV Training Track different from the regular Yale Primary Care Residency?
The major difference between the programs is their continuity clinic site. Both programs expose residents to the wide range of general Internal Medicine pathology, though the HIVTT has the added experience of HIV management and prevention. In reality, the programs are more similar than different. All YPC residents (including the HIVTT) rotate through all program-affiliated medical centers for inpatient rotations (Yale-New Haven York Street Campus, Yale-New Haven St. Raphael's Campus, West Haven VA).
HIV Training Track/Nathan Smith Continuity Clinics:
- The HIVTT residents have their panel of continuity patients at the Nathan Smith Yale HIV ambulatory Clinic, which is located across the street from the Yale-New Haven York Street Campus. Though Residents do not only treat HIV, however. They provide comprehensive primary care to people living with HIV, provide PrEP, STI and LGBTQ care. Nathan Smith has an array of comprehensive services, such as 2 full-time social workers, wrap-around behavioral health services and psychiatry. Residents have Nathan Smith "immersion blocks" in which though their continuity patients panel is at Nathan Smith, HIVTT residents will also rotate at the New Haven Primary Care Consortium (described below) with their YPC co-residents in diabetes, addiction medicine, urgent care, and internal medicine subspecialty clinics (rheumatology, dermatology, etc.).
- During the immersion Block, HIVTT resident work on extra-curricular activities, such as community engagement projects, educational program to the community, research, and QI projects.
- Additionally, HIVTT residents rotate on the Inpatient Donaldson service each year and have a faculty advisor through the HIVTT Faculty.
Yale Primary Care/New Haven Primary Care Consortium (NHPCC) Continuity Clinics:
- o YPC residents will have their panel of continuity patients at the NHPCC and an advisor in the YPC core faculty. The NHPCC is a newly formed consortium between the three organizations who care for the vast majority of the medically underserved population of New Haven: Yale Primary Care and two FQHC’s: the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center and Fair Haven Community Health Center. It is opening in fall of 2020 at a newly renovated facility at 150 Sargent Drive, separate from the hospital in the Long Warf area of New Haven.
- What is the Donaldson Service?
The Donaldson Service is in inpatient service at the Yale-New Haven York Street Campus. Patients have an array of internal medicine and infectious disease presentations, though many have underlying HIV. HIVTT residents rotate on this service at least one two-week block per year and work closely with Infectious Disease specialist thus gaining more experience in this field
- Will I get any separate certification at the end of the residency?
In addition to being eligible for the American Board of Internal Medicine Certification Exam, HIVTT residents will be eligible for the American Academy of HIV Medicine Certification Exam. The end of residency medical diploma will include Training in HIV Primary Care
- Will I still be able to apply to the other tracks or research experiences offered at YPC?
Yes! This is optional, but encouraged! HIVTT residents can and typically do participate in one of the offered pathways at YPC: Clinician Educator, Investigator, Global Health and Equity, Quality Improvement and Physician Leadership pathway, or in development Diversity and Inclusion Pathway.
- Will I still get the same elective and vacation experiences if I choose the HIVTT?
Yes.
All YPC and HIVTT residents have 2 two week elective blocks and 2 two week vacation blocks annually.- With evolving HIV treatment, will this program limit me?
In short, no. All students in the YPC program, whether HIVTT or not, will have a great deal of exposure to the breadth of internal medicine disease presentations. Most of the rotations are the same, though we view the HIVTT as a “bonus” because you are also given a firm foundation in antiretroviral and opportunistic infection management.
Our alumni also have a wide range of post-residency career paths. Though many alumni enter primary care (with and without an HIV focus), we have had recent alumni enter infectious disease and even critical care fellowships. The options are limitless and most of the time, graduates of the HIVTT get their top choice in their career path weather fellowship or job offerings.
- Who can I talk to if I have further questions?
If you have additional questions, feel free to email the program director Dr. Lydia Aoun Barakat at Lydia.barakat@yale.edu or program coordinator Amber Lenihan at amber.lenihan@yale.edu.
- What residents are saying about New Haven?
Why New Haven?
"I live in Downtown New Haven, in the heart of the city, and amidst innumerable cafés, restaurants and bars. I enjoy being able to walk to work at both the York Street Campus and the Saint Raphael Campus, as well as living within walking distance to the CitySeed Wooster Square Farmer's Market and to the Yale University campus. My apartment faces the beautiful Yale Harkness Tower, and I can hear the gorgeous carillonneur concerts from my balcony! When the weather is nice, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and Rice Field are also short bike rides away. On days off, I enjoy day hikes at either East Rock or West Rock, both within city limits. During the summer, you can find me at the Long Island Sound, most often at Hammonasset Beach State Park by Branford, or at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, each a quick drive from New Haven." – Marina Palma Lima, Class of 2021
Favorite Restaurant
- Want to dine on the waterfront? Shell and Bones has a beautiful deck on the ocean. Try their steak skewers! The oysters are also an absolute treat.
- Want French Cuisine? Visit one of the historical restaurant in New Haven Union league Café or Roia
- If you want fine spanish cuisine at Olea
- Wow about some Tapas? Visit Barcelona or Pacifico
- America dining? Zinc or Harvest
- Don’t forget Italian! How about Tarry Lodge, Consiglio, or Tre Scalini to name few!
- Asian? There is an amazing variety of Asian such as Thai, Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern restaurants and takeout that it is almost impossible to name a favorite!
Favorite Bar
Favorite Pizza:
- Frank Pepe
- Bar
- Sally’s
- Zeneli
- Don’t forget Stony Creek Pizza on the beach while watching the sunset: https://stonycreekmarket.business.site/
Favorite Hike
There are numerous gorgeous state parks for hikes with family to enjoy the 4 seasons specially the Fall foliage around New Haven but our favorites are
Head to Lake Wintergreen for a peaceful 1.5-mile https://visitnewhaven.com/beach-or-park/2138-lake-wintergreen stroll through piney woods surrounding a quiet lake. This hike is the perfect way to wind down on your day off! Lake wintergreen is part of West Rock Ridge State Park or try East Rock https://www.newhavenct.gov/gov/depts/parks/our_parks/east_rock.htm or Sleeping Giant Park and tails https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Sleeping-Giant-State-ParkWhat to do on your day off?
- Take the Metro North train to NYC for a day- Only 2 hours ride for less than $20
- Drive to Boston or Newport, RI
- Visit Mystic Seaport in Connecticut
- Take a cruise to see the Thimble Islands
- Go to the Beach in the Summer at Lighthouse Point Park, Silver Sand Beach, or Hammonassett State Park or Skiing in the Winter at Ski Sundown or Mohawk Mountain
- Visit one of the long list of wineries and vineyards in CT
- Take your kids to the Beardsley Zoo or to one of the local Farms in CT for apple picking
- Visit a museum in New Haven: Yale Art gallery, Yale Center of British Art, Peabody museum of natural history
- Watch a Play at the Yale Repertory theater or Shubert Theater
- Go to a Concert at the Yale Woolsey Hall, Yale symphony orchestra, College Street Music Hall, or Toad’s place