Vanderbilt University Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency is a four-year, categorical program. We accept four residents per year. Residents spend their first year in the Vanderbilt Internal Medicine Residency Program, while also rotating for one month in PM&R.
Rotations
All inpatient PM&R rotations are at Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, which is a standalone, 51-bed adult inpatient rehabilitation facility across the street from the Vanderbilt University Hospital.
Outpatient rotations are located at several different clinic sites in Nashville, including Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks, the Nashville VA Medical Center, and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. We have other clinic sites in Mt. Juliet, Franklin and Murfreesboro. Reliable transportation to these clinical sites is required. A personal car is recommended.
Sample rotation schedule
Education
Our program has regular morning didactics two or three times per week. This is protected time for all residents from clinical duties. We also have bimonthly Spine Conference, monthly PM&R Department Grand Rounds, quarterly MM&I, quarterly Journal Clubs and resident-run ultrasound learning sessions.
We have monthly protected Academic Half-Days led by our esteemed Sports Medicine faculty. Residents are excused from clinical responsibilities to learn hands-on diagnostic MSK ultrasound, as well as procedural practice in the Vanderbilt Cadaver Lab.
Research
All residents are expected to participate in scholarly research during their residency. In addition, a QI project is required by the American Board of PM&R to be completed during residency.
Every spring, our program hosts a Resident Research Day, where residents present a research project (e.g., QI, educational, and advocacy projects) to the department at large. This half-day event includes an invited guest professor who kicks off the event with a lecture followed by resident presentations. At the end of the event, selected faculty judges score presentations based on categories of criteria for “Best Research” and “Best Oral Presentation.” All PGY-4 residents are required to present, while other residents are encouraged to do so.
Mentorship
Our residency program has a formal mentorship program, where all PGY-1 residents are paired with a faculty mentor upon arrival to Vanderbilt. Mentorship pairs meet quarterly. Residents are encouraged to identify additional mentors throughout residency as they discern their career path.
Call
Currently, PGY-2 residents take home call an average of two nights per month and eight weekends per year. PGY-3 residents cover on average two nights per month and three weekends per year. PGY-4 residents cover two weekends per year.
Benefits
Salary: PM&R residents are compensated per the VUMC GME stipend schedule, with regular stipend increases per year. View current salary figures.
Funds
Each resident has $2,500 available funds to use toward educational materials and/or travel expenses for national conferences.
PGY-1 residents can use their funds for the USMLE STEP 3 exam fee.
PGY-4 residents have an additional $1400 of funding that can be used toward ABPM&R Written Board exam fees (provided they have scored above the 50th percentile on the SAE exam during their PGY-3 and PGY-4 years).
Resident Wellness
We have 2 wellness half-days per year, where the department funds an activity for residents without clinical duties. In the past, residents have enjoyed rock climbing, pottery painting, Top Golf, and attended sporting events.
Our program actively supports resident wellness initiatives with regular check-ins with program leadership. The Vanderbilt GME Office has additional resources which residents are encouraged to explore.
Living in Nashville
VUMC is in the heart of Nashville, a vibrant hub in the southeast. Nashville is a great balance of big-city feel, activities and opportunities with small-town accessibility, neighborhoods and friendly faces!
Within 10 minutes of the Vanderbilt campus, Nashville and the surrounding counties provide plenty of outdoor opportunities such as running trails, hiking, biking, golf, boating, rafting, rock climbing and more. See below some additional information.
VisitMusicCity.com
NashvilleGuru.com
TNStateparks.com
Get a further glimpse into our program from two of our current residents.
