Frequently Asked Questions
- Does everyone have to choose a distinction?
- How do I apply for a distinction? What are the odds that I will be accepted if I apply?
- Can I join a distinction early as a PGY-1 or late as a PGY-3?
- All of the distinctions sound interesting! Can I do more than one or participate in the activities even if I am not part of the distinction?
- Where can I see a calendar of events for the distinctions?
- How much time will it require for me to complete a distinction?
- How are residents and mentors paired?
- How do I keep track of my progress toward achieving a distinction?
- Can I earn credit for activities I did prior to my formal acceptance in the distinction?
- I just heard about an activity or event that I think should count toward my distinction. Can I propose new credit earning opportunities?
- My co-resident and I are working on a substantive project that satisfies the distinctions’ requirement for scholarly work. We are both contributing equally, so can we both earn full credit?
- How is the Investigation distinction different from Research in Residency?
- Are residents required to participate in the International Health Elective (IHE) as part of the Global Health & Equity distinction?
- How will potential fellowship programs or employers know that I participated in a distinction?
- Does everyone have to choose a distinction?
Not at all! All residents are welcome but by no means obligated to choose a distinction.
- How do I apply for a distinction? What are the odds that I will be accepted if I apply?
Interested residents may apply in the fall of their PGY-2 year. The application is brief and available on qualtrics at this link: Distinction Application. There is no pre-specified number of spots available, and we will aim to accept the applications of all residents who demonstrate significant interest.
- Can I join a distinction early as a PGY-1 or late as a PGY-3?
Interested PGY-1s are encouraged to be as involved in a distinction as desired and will receive credit for activities completed. However, residents will not be formally accepted until the PGY-2 year. Given that each distinction has multiple credit requirements, including completion of a scholarly project that typically takes 2 years to complete, PGY3s are not eligible to apply to the Distinctions Pathways.
- All of the distinctions sound interesting! Can I do more than one or participate in the activities even if I am not part of the distinction?
Residents are encouraged to participate in as many activities and events within the distinctions as desired. However, you may only apply for and graduate with one distinction.
- Where can I see a calendar of events for the distinctions?
All events pertinent to the distinctions are located on the website. Many of these will also be advertised in the Chief on Call e-mails
- How much time will it require for me to complete a distinction?
Each distinction requires approximately 90-120 credit hours. The specifics can be found online, but this is satisfied through a combination of lecture series and events throughout the year as well as a capstone project completed during elective time.
- How are residents and mentors paired?
Each distinction has identified mentors that are distinguished in their respective fields and passionate about fostering resident development. Residents and mentors are paired based on shared clinical and scholarly interests to try to ensure a meaningful working relationship. If you have a specific mentor in mind already, you are also welcome to make a suggestion.
- How do I keep track of my progress toward achieving a distinction?
Upon completing an activity that satisfies a requirement for a distinction, you should submit an entry on MedHub. This can be done from your phone in the moment or later on your computer. All entries you submit will be visible to you and your mentor.
- Can I earn credit for activities I did prior to my formal acceptance in the distinction?
Of course! You can submit entries for any eligible activities that you have completed during residency. Additionally, interns who are considering participating in a distinction should log credit for eligible activities even though they have not yet applied. However, you cannot receive credit for work completed prior to residency.
- I just heard about an activity or event that I think should count toward my distinction. Can I propose new credit earning opportunities?
Residents are encouraged to seek out new opportunities to further their passions. If you hear about an activity or event that you think merits credit toward a distinction, let us know!
- My co-resident and I are working on a substantive project that satisfies the distinctions’ requirement for scholarly work. We are both contributing equally, so can we both earn full credit?
The distinctions leadership is delighted by resident collaboration. Full credit can be earned by more than one party for collaborative work.
- How is the Investigation distinction different from Research in Residency?
Though the capstone project for the Investigation pathway may be satisfied through Research in Residency, there are a number of other opportunities for enrichment available throughout the Investigation distinction.
- Are residents required to participate in the International Health Elective (IHE) as part of the Global Health & Equity distinction?
True skill in the field of Global Health requires the ability to work effectively in both familiar and unfamiliar settings. As such, residents are required to do work off-site. This can be satisfied through IHE or work with the Indian Health Service.
- How will potential fellowship programs or employers know that I participated in a distinction?
Participation in a distinction will be acknowledged in your Program Director’s letter during the fellowship application process and in pre-employment communication. A certificate will be provided to all residents who complete a distinction at graduation.